Before Care and/or After Care Counselor

YMCA - Metuchen, NJ

Part-time - Entry Level

Metuchen, NJ

Social Assistance

About the position

The School Age Child Care Counselor at the YMCA is responsible for providing guidance and ensuring the safety of children in the Before and After School Program. Under the supervision of the School Age Child Care Director, the counselor will implement programs that help children reach their fullest potential while embodying the YMCA's core values of caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility.

Responsibilities

• Ensure all health and safety guidelines are strictly adhered to.
• Be a role model for children in the program, ensuring they have the ability to thrive and grow.
• Assist with daily arrivals and dismissals, ensuring all attendance records are accurate and notifying the School Age Child Care Director of any discrepancies.
• Responsible for equipment and supplies of the program.
• On assigned late-nights, straighten up the room, lock all cabinets, remove lost & found items, and direct parents on payment of late fees.
• Awareness of emergency procedures and implement them quickly and safely as necessary.
• Report all accidents/incidents to supervisor ASAP and prepare accident forms accurately and completely.
• Supervise and interact with children during activities both indoors and outside, ensuring knowledge of children's whereabouts at all times.
• Implement activities for the group, including setting up necessary materials for program implementation.
• Participate with enthusiasm and motivate all children in the group while embracing the four core values.
• Discipline children appropriately when necessary, using positive discipline guidelines.
• Meet, greet, discuss, and promote program content and children with parents in a family-friendly manner.
• Adhere to YMCA 'House Rules'.
• Attend all mandatory department and/or YMCA trainings and meetings.
• Utilize the time and attendance system to ensure accurate recording of hours worked.
• Maintain flexibility to adjust hours for day closings, holidays, and morning care as needed.

Requirements

• Prefer 18+ years of age with experience working with children in a childcare or related setting.
• Ability to demonstrate skills in games, athletics, crafts, storytelling, and songs, and to motivate children in their care.
• Ability to work as part of a team with a common goal of helping every afterschool care participant reach their fullest potential.
• CPR and Standard First Aid preferred - will train.

Nice-to-haves

• Flexibility to work weekdays: 6:45am-8:30am AND/OR 2:00pm-6:00pm.

Benefits

• YMCA Membership