Youth Childcare Support Staff - St Matthew Early Learning Center

Young World Physical Education; Cedar Rapids (IA); On-site; USD 12,000 - 16,000; Part time

Job summary

Young World Physical Education in Cedar Rapids, Iowa is seeking Youth Childcare Support Staff for their before-and-after school program. This part-time role involves providing care for children, assisting with daily activities, and building positive relationships with families and staff.

Ideal candidates should be at least 16 years old and display flexibility and a joyful attitude. The environment is supportive, engaging, and focused on early childhood development.

Qualifications

• Must be 16 years of age per DHS requirements.
• Able to remain calm under pressure while handling common inquiries.
• Able to effectively present information to families.

Responsibilities

• Provide care for children during the before-and-after school program.
• Implement activity plans and assist with general housekeeping.
• Maintain active supervision of assigned children.
• Foster positive relationships with children and families.
• Follow daily schedules and ensure the safety of all children.

Skills

Ability to read and comprehend instructions

Ability to write simple correspondence

Calm under pressure

Joyful and helpful attitude

Flexibility with changing priorities

Education

DHS requirement: must be 16 years of age

Job description

Youth Childcare Support Staff - St Matthew Early Learning Center

St. Matthew Early Learning Center is a dedicated and nurturing child‑care center committed to providing a safe, engaging, and educational environment for children. We are seeking passionate, responsible, and caring individuals to join our childcare team and make a positive impact in the lives of the children we serve.

Position Summary

The Youth Childcare Support Staff will provide care for children during the center’s before‑and‑after school program. You will work in cooperation with the Director/School Administrator, Lead Teacher, and other staff to implement activity plans, help set up activities, and care for the children.

Essential Functions and Key Responsibilities

Mission, Professionalism, and Work Ethic

• Carries out the mission of Xavier Catholic Schools within the learning community through daily actions, leadership, and service.
• Consistently represents Xavier Catholic Schools in a professional, courteous, and positive manner.
• Fosters a professional work environment centered on respect, confidentiality, and excellent customer service.
• Demonstrates professionalism by engaging in respectful and focused communication, offering constructive feedback, building positive relationships with colleagues, and limiting personal phone use during work hours.
• Fosters an inclusive environment by accepting and respecting the diversity of children, parents, and coworkers.
• Consistently delivers high‑quality work while maintaining efficiency.
• Upholds, supports, and promotes all policies and procedures of the State of Iowa HHS, Archdiocese of Dubuque, and XCS Schools and ELC centers.
• Works toward continuous quality improvement, such as any ELC center or state‑wide initiatives.
• Performs other duties as assigned by the Lead Teacher or Director; responsibilities may vary and are not limited to the tasks listed above.

Family and Community Engagement

• Welcomes children upon arrival by engaging them in activities to ease their transition, and supports their departure by helping gather belongings and communicating important updates to parents.
• Fosters positive and collaborative relationships with children, families, staff members, and the wider community.
• Partners with families to support classroom activities, including field trips, volunteer opportunities, and special events with the support of the lead teacher.

Classroom Instruction and Child Development

• Follows the daily schedule and implements the day’s lesson plan by preparing necessary materials and supplies, setting up learning centers, assisting with general housekeeping, supervising children, and supporting daily meals and snacks, including family‑style dining, with the support of the lead teacher.
• Integrates and supports the faith curriculum through daily prayer and lessons that promote our Catholic faith.
• Follows and supports the classroom management plan to ensure the safety and security of all children.
• Treats all children with dignity and respect, in a fair and consistent manner.
• Helps children to develop appropriate habits and social‑emotional skills in all classroom activities and routines.

Supervision, Behavior, and Safety

• Maintains active supervision over assigned children.
• Models appropriate behavior and language at all times around children and staff, while maintaining constant awareness and professionalism in the presence of children.
• Remains calm during emergencies and serious situations, and reports the situation immediately to the Lead Teacher or Director.
• Exercises sound judgment during stressful situations and refers to the director as needed.
• Performs regular inspections of play equipment and reports safety concerns to the Lead Teacher and Director.
• Informs the lead teacher of all accidents and illnesses involving children, and assists with communication and incident report documentation to ensure compliance with HHS regulations.
• Promotes resourcefulness by being a good steward of classroom materials and remaining mindful of budgetary limitations.

Compliance, Operations, and Work Environment

• Maintains required trainings as required by the State of Iowa, DHS, Archdiocese of Dubuque, and the local site.
• Consistently maintains attendance, arrives promptly at the scheduled time, and follows protocol to arrange for time off.
• Maintains a clean, organized, and presentable classroom.
• Attends staff meetings, school programs, in‑service training, and other training as requested.

Qualifications

• Per DHS, must be 16 years of age.
• Ability to read and comprehend simple instructions, short correspondence, and memos.
• Ability to write simple correspondence.
• Ability to effectively present information in one‑on‑one and small group situations to families and other employees of the center/preschool.
• Able to solve minor problems.
• Attitude of joy and helpfulness.
• Flexibility with changing priorities and processes.
• Able to remain calm under pressure while handling common inquiries, complaints, or identifying emergent situations.
• Ability to work well either alone or as part of a team.
• Able to be discreet and maintain confidentiality.
• Practicing Catholic preferred.

Physical / Mental Demands

While performing the duties of this job, the employee must maintain emotional control under stress. Work may involve frequent interruptions, irregular hours, frequent standing, walking, talking, reaching, stooping, bending, kneeling, pushing, pulling, sitting, and listening. Lifts and moves items up to 50 pounds.

Working Environment

The work environment may include wet or messy conditions during activities such as outdoor play, art projects, toileting, or meal service. Work may also occur outdoors in varying weather conditions and in environments with elevated noise levels due to group activities and interactions with children. Employees may be required to attend occasional evening meetings and be able to complete computer work related to training, documentation, and parent communication.

Position Type

Part‑time

Job Categories

Classroom Teacher > Early Childhood

Equal Opportunity Employer

All qualified applicants will receive consideration. We are an equal opportunity employer.

Contact Information

• Connie Schulte, Director of Early Learning
• Xavier Catholic Schools
• Phone: [phone]
• Email: [e-mail]