Childcare Coordinator – School Age Programs

GroHR; Kankakee (IL); On-site; USD 38,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

Kankakee YMCA seeks a dedicated Childcare Coordinator for School Age Programs to lead Before and After School Care and Day Camp initiatives for grades K–8. This on-site role emphasizes safety, educational enrichment, and mission-aligned experiences.

You will supervise part-time staff, plan programs, and coordinate across sites while maintaining strong relationships with families and the Childcare Director. A degree in education/recreation and DCFS familiarity are preferred.

Qualifications

• Associate or bachelor’s degree in education, recreation, or a related field preferred.
• At least 2 years’ experience in youth programming and staff supervision; camp or OST experience ideal.
• Familiarity with DCFS license-exempt standards or willingness to learn these standards.
• Current CPR, First Aid, and Child Abuse Prevention certifications, or the ability to obtain these within 30 days of hire.
• Must pass a background check and meet DCFS employment standards.
• Demonstrated strong interpersonal and organizational skills.
• Willingness to travel between sites and work evenings/weekends as program demands.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the planning, execution, and evaluation of Before and After School Care and Day Camp programs.
• Ensure all programming complies with DCFS licensed exempt standards and promotes a safe, engaging, and enriching environment.
• Lead, supervise, and mentor part-time childcare staff, fostering a collaborative and motivated team environment.
• Maintain communication with the Childcare Director to discuss progress, feedback, and enhancements.
• Manage operations across multiple sites, coordinating logistics and resources for consistency and quality.
• Develop constructive relationships with children, staff, and parents to build community and trust.
• Handle administrative tasks such as documentation, staff scheduling, and compliance checks.
• Organize and participate in staff meetings, training sessions, and professional development.
• Respond to emergencies by following protocols and maintaining First Aid/CPR knowledge.
• Support continuous improvement of program offerings by integrating innovative educational practices.

Skills

CPR Certification

First Aid Certification

Child Abuse Prevention Certification

Interpersonal Skills

Organizational Skills

Staff Supervision

Program Planning

Education

Associate or Bachelor's degree in education/recreation

Job description

Job Posting: Childcare Coordinator – School Age ProgramsKankakee YMCA is excited to announce a career opportunity that promises to offer rewarding challenges and growth in the field of educational childcare. We are actively seeking an enthusiastic professional to join our team as a Childcare Coordinator for School Age Programs. This is a full-time position based in our lively, community-focused offices. We emphasize that this is not a remote job, requiring the successful candidate to work on-site, managing and enhancing our Before and After School Care and Day Camp programs catering to children in grades K–8. As a Childcare Coordinator, your central goal will be to ensure the delivery of high-quality, engaging, and educationally enriching programs that align with the standards of the YMCA’s DCFS licensed exempt operations. This role offers the chance to significantly impact the developmental stages of children by providing safe, innovative, and mission-aligned learning experiences during out-of-school times. Through strong leadership, strategic program planning, and diligent supervision of part-time staff, your efforts will foster a nurturing environment that promotes student growth and community trust.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Oversee the planning, execution, and evaluation of Before and After School Care and Day Camp programs.
• Ensure all programming complies with DCFS licensed exempt standards and promotes a safe, engaging, and enriching environment for all participants.
• Lead, supervise, and mentor part-time childcare staff, fostering a collaborative and motivated team environment.
• Maintain constant communication with the Childcare Director to discuss program progress, participant feedback, and potential enhancements.
• Manage operations across multiple sites, coordinating logistics and resources to ensure program consistency and quality.
• Develop constructive and positive relationships with children, staff, and parents to build community and trust.
• Handle any necessary administrative tasks, such as program documentation, staff scheduling, and compliance checks.
• Organize and participate in staff meetings, training sessions, and professional development opportunities.
• Respond effectively to emergencies by following established protocols and maintaining up-to-date knowledge and certifications in First Aid and CPR.
• Support the continuous improvement of program offerings by integrating innovative educational practices and activities.

Requirements

• Associate or bachelor’s degree in education, recreation, or a related field preferred.
• At least 2 years’ experience in youth programming and staff supervision; experience in camp or out-of-school time (OST) programs ideal.
• Familiarity with DCFS license-exempt standards or willingness to learn these standards.
• Current CPR, First Aid, and Child Abuse Prevention certifications, or the ability to obtain these within 30 days of hire.
• Must be able to pass a background check and meet DCFS employment standards.
• Demonstrated strong interpersonal and organizational skills.
• Ability to travel between program sites and to occasionally work evenings and weekends as program demands.