Before & Afterschool Group Leader

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 will serve as a liaison between the school day teacher and parent to support the academic and social emotional success of the students in their classroom.

Key Responsibilities

• Ensures group/program curricula that provide growth in cognitive skills, self-awareness, group relationships, and character development.
• Ensures adherence to EEC licensing standards and perpetuates an inclusive culture.
• Communicates information to parents.
• Maintains a program environment that is safe, healthy, and engaging.
• Provides a developmentally sound program for children which offers positive channels to grow, learn, and develop to their full potential.
• Delivers a program that meets community needs in a manner consistent with the YMCA mission.
• Conducts him/herself in a caring, responsible, honest, and respectful manner and serves as a role model for colleagues, as well as for program participants and families.
• Focuses on programming that promotes healthy living, social responsibility, and youth development.

Requirements & Tech Stack

• Safety of children is the first priority; emphasizes personal safety and emotional well-being with the children, parents, and early education staff.
• Uses positive and constructive methods of child guidance, while ensuring that all staff does the same.
• Adheres to the rules, regulations, and procedures set forth by the YMCA of Greater Boston, the branch location, and the Department of Early Education and Care, as applicable.
• Ensures supervision of children and management of smooth transitions to promote safety and appropriate behavior.
• Works with the Site Director in the design of the program space and maintains facility and supplies at all times.
• Assists the Site Director with relevant assessments on a variety of levels throughout the year by means of progress reports, parent surveys, and program self-assessment.
• Provides children with a well-balanced curriculum of specific, planned learning experiences that support their social, emotional, physical, cognitive, and language development.

Qualifications

Must meet one of the following:

• Have a Bachelor's or Associate's degree and have three months of experience working with school-age children.
• Have a 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.
• Have nine months of experience with school-age children including three months of supervised experience at a school-age child care program.

Note: For experience to be counted, it must be a minimum of 12 hours per week. If less than 12 hours a week, every block of 50 hours counts for one month.

Benefits

• Developing leadership skills in a caring, challenging & diverse working environment.
• Exploring a wide range of opportunities as you learn new skills and functions.
• Shaping the future of young children while making a difference each day for our communities and each other.
• Engaging in YMCA career training programs and working alongside those who have the same passion.
• A healthy work/life balance.
• Comprehensive benefits including:
• 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% (see eligibility requirement).
• Health, Dental, and Vision Benefit Package.
• Vacation and Sick Time (PT receive sick time).