Childcare Lead

Lakeshore Sport & Fitness; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 52,000 - 68,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Family membership

Staff child care

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

Paid time off

401K

Financial relief

Meal program

Team celebrations

Discounted services

Free parking

Job summary

Lakeshore Sport & Fitness in Chicago seeks an energetic and experienced Childcare Lead to manage the day-to-day operations of our childcare spaces for newborns to 10-year-olds. You will create engaging activities, supervise sessions, and ensure a welcoming environment for families.

Ideal candidates bring 5+ years in childcare, strong development knowledge, CPR/First Aid, and the ability to train staff. This full-time role offers a collaborative team setting and opportunities to lead programming

Qualifications

• 5+ years of professional experience working with children
• Experience with a variety of ages: infants to elementary-aged children
• Strong understanding of child development and age-appropriate activities
• Energetic, active, and genuinely engaged with children
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Warm, patient, and approachable personality
• Comfortable communicating with parents and building trust with families
• Highly organized with ability to maintain a structured activity schedule
• Reliable, responsible and able to take ownership of the childcare environment
• Ability to multitask and remain calm in a busy setting
• CPR/First Aid certification
• Ability to work evenings and at least one weekend day

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day operations of the childcare area, including baby room, play room, and playground
• Support kids events such as Parents Night Out, Family Game Nights, Private Events and more
• Provide attentive, active, and engaged supervision for children from newborn to ~10 years old
• Create and maintain a schedule of age-appropriate activities, games, crafts, movement, and play
• Develop a fun, welcoming environment where children are excited to return
• Build positive relationships with children and families and provide excellent customer service to parents
• Communicate confidently with parents regarding their children's experiences and needs
• Ensure childcare areas are clean, organized, safe, and well-maintained
• Help maintain consistent routines, expectations, and safety standards
• Work with Children’s Programming team to ensure a seamless family experience
• Help train and guide childcare team members as needed
• Identify opportunities to improve children’s experience and programming

Job description

Lakeshore Sport & Fitness is Chicago’s ##1 Destination for Sport, Fitness & Fun!

Learn more about our team here: https://www.lakeshoresf.com/join-our-team/

Team Member Perks

• Complimentary Family Membership
• Complimentary Child Care for Staff Children
• Medical, Dental, Vision, Short & Long Term and Life Insurance
• Paid Time Off
• 401K
• Employee Financial Relief Program
• Daily Discounted Employee Meal Program
• Winter and Summer Team Member Celebrations
• Entrepreneurial and collaborative team environment
• 50% off club services
• Free Parking

We are looking for an energetic, experienced, and passionate Childcare Lead to join our Children’s Programming team. This is a full-time, salaried position for someone who loves working with children, enjoys creating a fun and engaging environment, and can take ownership of the day-to-day childcare experience.

Our childcare area serves children primarily newborn through 10 years old and includes a dedicated baby room, play room, and playground area. The ideal candidate is someone who is confident working across different age groups and can create a safe, welcoming, and stimulating environment for both children and their parents.

What You’ll Do

• Work as a lead in the Childcare area on the day-to-day operations of our childcare area, including the baby room, play room, and playground
• Support kids events such as Parents Night Out, Family Game Nights, Private Events and more.
• Provide attentive, active, and engaged supervision for children from newborn through approximately 10 years old
• Create and maintain a consistent schedule of age-appropriate activities, games, crafts, movement, and play
• Develop a fun, welcoming environment where children are excited to return
• Build positive relationships with children and families and provide excellent customer service to parents
• Communicate confidently and professionally with parents regarding their children's experiences, needs, and any concerns
• Ensure all childcare areas are clean, organized, safe, and well‑maintained
• Help establish and maintain consistent routines, expectations, and safety standards
• Work closely with other Children’s Programming team members to ensure a seamless experience for families
• Help train, support, and provide direction to childcare team members as needed
• Take initiative to identify opportunities to improve the children's experience and programming

What We’re Looking For

• 5+ years of professional experience working with children
• Experience working with a variety of ages, particularly infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and elementary-aged children
• Strong understanding of child development and age-appropriate activities
• Energetic, active, and genuinely engaged when working with children
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Warm, patient, and approachable personality
• Comfortable communicating with parents and building trusting relationships with families
• Highly organized and able to create and maintain a structured activity schedule
• Reliable, responsible, and able to take ownership of the childcare environment
• Ability to multitask and remain calm and attentive in a busy environment
• CPR/First Aid certification
• Ability to work a flexible schedule, including some evenings and at least 1 weekend day

The Ideal Candidate

You are someone who doesn’t simply supervise children—you genuinely engage with them. You get down on the floor and play, lead activities, encourage creativity, help children navigate big emotions, and make sure every child feels welcomed and included.

You also understand that the childcare experience extends beyond the children. You are comfortable greeting parents, answering questions, sharing positive feedback, and communicating concerns professionally. You take pride in creating a space where parents feel confident leaving their children in your care.

This is an opportunity for someone who wants to take ownership and leadership of a children's program and help shape an exceptional experience for our youngest members and their families.