Before & Afterschool Group Leader

Location: Charles River YMCA (Needham, Dedham)

About the role

Under the supervision of the Site Director/Program Administrator, the Group Educator plans and implements classroom curriculum, provides homework assistance, communicates information to families, and maintains a safe, healthy, warm, engaging, and attractive environment. The Group Educator serves as a liaison between the school day teacher and parent to support the academic and social-emotional success of students.

Responsibilities

• Develop and deliver group/program curricula that foster cognitive skills, self-awareness, group relationships, and character development.
• Ensure adherence to EEC licensing standards and promote an inclusive culture.
• Communicate regularly with parents.
• Maintain a program environment that is safe, healthy, and engaging.
• Provide a developmentally sound program that offers positive channels for children to grow, learn, and reach their full potential.
• Design age-appropriate activities that support growth in cognitive skills, self-awareness, peer relationships, and character development.
• Model caring, responsible, honest, and respectful behavior for colleagues, participants, and families.
• Focus on programming that promotes healthy living, social responsibility, and youth development to position the YMCA as the childcare program of choice.
• Prioritize the safety and emotional well-being of children, parents, and staff.
• Use positive and constructive methods of child guidance.
• Adhere to YMCA of Greater Boston rules, branch location policies, and Department of Early Education and Care regulations.
• Ensure supervision of children and manage smooth transitions to promote safety and appropriate behavior.
• Collaborate with the Site Director to design program space and maintain facility and supplies.
• Assist with assessments, progress reports, parent surveys, and program self-assessment.
• Provide a well-balanced curriculum supporting social, emotional, physical, cognitive, and language development.

Qualifications

• Must meet one of the following:
  • Bachelor's or Associate's degree and three months of experience working with school-age children.
  • High school diploma or equivalent and six months of experience working with school-age children, including three months of supervised experience at a school-age child care program.
  • Nine months of experience with school-age children, including three months of supervised experience at a school-age child care program.
• Experience must be a minimum of 12 hours per week or, if less than 12 hours, every block of 50 hours counts as one month.

Pay

$16.50 - $22.00 per hour

Benefits

• Free YMCA membership for you.
• Discount on specialty programs like personal training and swimming lessons.
• Discounted or free family membership.
• Robust retirement plan up to 10%.
• Health, dental, and vision benefit package.
• Vacation and sick time (part-time employees receive sick time).
• Opportunities to develop leadership skills in a diverse and supportive environment.
• Career training programs and collaboration with passionate colleagues.
• Healthy work/life balance.