Kids Play Team Member

How you Will Power our Purpose (Job Summary) 

Embark on an exciting adventure with our dynamic team as a Kids Play Team Member! Your role is essential in ensuring our members can fully focus on their fitness and wellness journey while their children engage in an exciting and enriching experience.

In this position, you'll lead engaging activities and implement a curriculum designed to nurture children's social, physical, spiritual, and mental growth. Your mission is to create a secure, positive, and exhilarating environment where children thrive.

If you're passionate about children's development and thrive in a dynamic team environment, we want you on our team. Join us and be part of an energetic team that helps kids grow while their guardians pursue their fitness and wellness goals. Apply today!

How You Will Make an Impact (Essential Functions) 

• Welcome members and their children by learning and using their names. Maintain a friendly and cooperative relationship with each child's family, and encourage their involvement in the program. Always prioritize building relationships and extend gratitude whenever appropriate.
• Provide activities and opportunities that encourage curiosity, exploration, and problem-solving, building self-esteem and learning how to share and properly interact with others in ways that are appropriate to the development levels of the children, (reinforcing positive behaviors and redirecting negative behaviors).
• Interact with the children in a way that conveys respect and nurturing and supports their social and emotional development.
• Play with the children; this will often mean getting down on the floor to interact with them at their eye level.
• Protect all children's health, safety, and welfare in the Child Watch area.
• Enforce all rules and policies of the YMCA equally with everyone.
• Never leave children unattended.
• Attend to the personal hygiene of each child in your care. (Washing their hands, wiping faces, etc.)
• Maintain a safe environment based on safety standards set by the program.
• Always keep a positive attitude; never convey personal frustration to members or their children.
• Assist in the cleaning and straightening of the childcare rooms throughout and at the end of your shift.
• Maintain good public relations with members.
• Remove all broken toys and report all needed repairs to the membership director.
• In case of injury, follow the emergency procedures. Fill out the incident/accident report form for every injury/altercation on the premises.
• Attend all staff meetings.
• Secure your own substitute if ill or cannot make assignments.
• Maintain proper records for all Child Watch attendance and responsibilities.
• Ability to communicate effectively (verbal and written) and maintain emotional control under stress.
• Work cooperatively and effectively as a team member by communicating and contributing information on a continuous basis.
• Thank members and their children and wish them a good day as they leave
• Inform parents about their children's involvement and activities for the day.
• Know and follow the Greater Austin YMCA's People Guidelines, Code of Ethics, payroll procedures, and established emergency procedures.
• Promote the YMCA's character values, mission, wellness philosophy, and role in the community.
• Lead by example the Y's mission, vision, and values with program participants, members, staff, and guests. 
• Become an Ambassador of the Y's work and culture by being the ultimate storyteller of who we are as an organization and brand. 
• Complete other duties as assigned.

What You Bring to the Community Enterprise 

• Min of 16 years of age.
• Bilingual (Spanish/English) is preferred but not required.
• Previous experience in a childcare setting is a plus.
• Experience caring for children ages 8 weeks through 12 years old.
• Current First Aid and CPR certifications are preferred.
• Have a growth mindset, quickly learn from failure, and value feedback to continuously improve.
• Display a team player mentality with a positive, service-oriented attitude and the ability to work well with others.
• Have strong verbal and written communication skills, and actively listen for understanding to effectively convey information.
• Foster a culture of inclusion and belonging, leveraging people's differences as strengths and promoting a welcoming environment for all.

Physical Requirements:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, stand, walk, bend, talk and occasionally lift and/or move items including equipment, furniture and/or children. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.