Early Childhood Sports Coach

About the Role

Chelsea Piers is seeking an enthusiastic, engaging Sports Coach to join our CP Kids team. This role is perfect for someone who is passionate about helping young children discover the joy of movement, teamwork, and active play. The Sports Coach will lead fun, developmentally appropriate sports and movement experiences for toddlers ages 1–2 and preschoolers ages 3–5. Through creative, play-based instruction, this role will help children build gross motor skills, coordination, confidence, and positive associations with physical activity. Working within the CP Kids play-based learning philosophy, the Sports Coach will have the unique opportunity to utilize Chelsea Piers' diverse sports facilities and resources to introduce children to a variety of movement experiences in a safe, supportive, and engaging environment.

Responsibilities

• Develop Engaging Lesson Plans: Create two age-appropriate sports and movement lessons each week for toddlers and preschoolers, aligned with the Connecticut Early Learning and Development Standards (CT ELDS).
• Support Developmental Growth: Incorporate an understanding of age-appropriate gross motor milestones into lessons to support balance, coordination, strength, spatial awareness, and overall physical development.
• Provide Family Updates: Prepare a brief monthly summary for families highlighting lesson themes, activities, and developmental skills being practiced.
• Utilize Chelsea Piers Sports Spaces: Plan and facilitate programming across Chelsea Piers' sports venues, providing children with exposure to a variety of sports, movement activities, and environments.
• Build Confidence Through Movement: Encourage participation, teamwork, exploration, and a positive attitude toward physical activity.
• Collaborate with the CP Kids Team: Partner with classroom teachers and program leadership to connect sports and movement programming with classroom themes and developmental goals.
• Create a Safe and Inclusive Environment: Adapt activities as needed to support different abilities, developmental levels, and learning styles while maintaining appropriate safety standards.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education, Physical Education, Recreation, Child Development, or a related field preferred; equivalent relevant experience will also be considered.
• 1–2+ years of experience working with young children in an educational, childcare, recreational, sports, or enrichment setting.
• Understanding of early childhood development, particularly gross motor development for children ages 1–5.
• Ability to create engaging, developmentally appropriate sports and movement activities.
• Enthusiastic, patient, and nurturing approach to working with young children.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills with children, families, and colleagues.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with classroom teachers and other members of the CP Kids team.
• Strong organizational, group management, and planning skills.
• Commitment to maintaining a safe, welcoming, and inclusive learning environment.
• Flexibility, creativity, and enthusiasm for working in a dynamic early childhood setting.

Schedule

Part-Time, about 8.5 hours per week

• Monday & Thursday: 9:30am - 12:00pm
• Tuesday & Friday: 9:30am - 11:15am

Pay

$25 - $30 per hour