Child Watch Attendant

YMCA of Greater San Antonio Careers•San Antonio, TX

About The Position

The Child Watch Attendant supports the YMCA’s mission of strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. At the Hartman YMCA, an accessible and inclusive facility focused on welcoming individuals of all abilities, the attendant provides temporary childcare for YMCA members’ children from 6 weeks through 12 years old. The role involves working closely with children with disabilities, their families, and caregivers, and fostering a welcoming community within the class. The attendant supervises children, leads age-appropriate programmed activities, and supports children’s safety, development, participation, and enjoyment. The position requires building positive relationships with children and families, adapting activities to children’s abilities and needs, following YMCA safety procedures, maintaining an accessible and orderly environment, and completing required records and training. The YMCA’s culture emphasizes being welcoming, genuine, hopeful, nurturing, and determined.

Requirements

Must be at least 16 years old.
Ability to build effective relationships and communicate professionally with individuals and groups from diverse backgrounds, abilities, and social and economic segments of the community.
Ability to establish and maintain harmonious relationships by promoting caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility with staff, YMCA members, and program participants.
Patience, empathy, emotional maturity, and ability to provide age-appropriate guidance while respecting each child’s dignity and individuality.
Ability to follow childcare policies, maintain appropriate supervision, recognize potential safety concerns, and respond appropriately to emergencies.
Child Abuse Prevention training is required before the first shift.
Safety and prevention trainings must be completed annually.
YMCA-approved basic lifesaving skills certifications, such as CPR, First Aid, and AED, are required within the first 60 days of hire.
Ability to maintain high attention and alertness and visual acuity for child supervision.
Ability to lift up to 20 pounds regularly and to stand and walk for extended periods.
Ability to bend, stoop, kneel, run, and participate in age-appropriate games and sports.
Visual and auditory attention sufficient to supervise children, recognize hazards, communicate effectively, and respond promptly to children’s needs and emergencies.
Ability to communicate clearly and respectfully with children, parents, caregivers, and coworkers.

Nice To Haves

At least 6 months of childcare experience is preferred.
A High School Diploma or GED is preferred.
Experience working with individuals with disabilities, their families, caregivers, or disability-serving organizations is strongly preferred.
Demonstrated commitment to accessibility, inclusion, and creating welcoming experiences for people of all abilities.

Responsibilities

Welcome children and families in a warm, respectful, and inclusive manner.
Clearly communicate ChildWatch/Kids Club policies and procedures.
Provide attentive supervision and age-appropriate activities for children ages 6 weeks to 12 years, supporting their safety, development, participation, and enjoyment.
Plan and lead activities such as games, stories, crafts, circle time, and special events, adapting them to children’s abilities, developmental stages, interests, and support needs.
Build positive, nurturing relationships with children and families so each child feels safe, valued, respected, and included.
Provide appropriate guidance and redirection that supports children’s individual needs, encourages positive behavior, and promotes caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility.
Work respectfully with children with disabilities and collaborate with families and caregivers, as appropriate, to understand individual needs and support meaningful participation.
Follow YMCA child safety policies, supervision guidelines, and emergency procedures.
Identify and promptly report unsafe conditions, concerns, accidents, and incidents to the appropriate supervisor.
Serve as a Primary Responder for accidents and incidents, following established YMCA procedures.
Maintain a clean, organized, safe, and accessible environment and properly care for and store equipment and supplies.
Accurately complete attendance records, observation records, and incident and injury reports.
Maintain required child safety, prevention, and other job-related trainings.
Attend required meetings, trainings, and special events as scheduled.
Perform other duties as assigned by the supervisor.