This position serves as a support staff during the school day (10am-4pm) and as an after school counselor after hours (4pm-6pm) for the K1 classroom (children ages 4 and 5) at the Mendell Elementary School. The candidate must be Preschool Lead Teacher certified.

Under the supervision of the Site Director/Program Administrator, the After School Counselor plans and implements classroom curriculum, provides homework assistance, communicates information to families, and maintains a safe, healthy, warm, engaging, and attractive environment. The Counselor 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.

Age-appropriate activities should provide for growth in cognitive skills, self-awareness, peer relationships, and character development. The counselor conducts him/herself in a caring, responsible, honest, and respectful manner and is a role model for colleagues, as well as for program participants and families. In addition, he/she ensures focus on programming that promotes healthy living, social responsibility, and youth development with the ultimate goal to position the YMCA of Greater Boston to be the child care program of choice for families and school districts, providing the best in outcomes, staff and level of innovation.

The program hours may vary but this position will generally work from 10am-6pm Monday through Friday.

This employee 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.
• A developmentally sound program for children which provides positive channels to grow, learn and develop to their full potential.
• A program which meets community needs in a manner consistent with the YMCA mission.
• Practices and follows all COVID-19 Policies.
• Completes daily screening prior to entering work each day.
• Wears a mask at all times
• Abides by Social Distancing recommendations
• Completes all PPE and Safety trainings prior to first day of work

Requirements

• Keeps safety of children as first priority; emphasizes personal safety and emotional well-being with the children, parents, and early education staff.
• Ensures 100% compliance with COVID 19 policies – children in masks at all times, constant handwashing, social distancing.
• 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 maintain 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.