Lead Child Watch Attendant

YMCA OF COASTAL CAROLINA•Myrtle Beach, SC

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Under the supervision of the designated supervisor, the Lead Child Watch Attendant provides daily leadership and support for Child Watch operations while ensuring a safe, nurturing, and welcoming environment for children and families. The role includes directly supervising children, guiding Child Watch staff, helping coordinate staffing and activities, and ensuring YMCA safety and Child Protection Standards are followed. The Lead Child Watch Attendant builds positive relationships with children, families, members, and staff and promotes a high-quality member experience. This position models the YMCA’s mission and core values of caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility. It supports staff onboarding, training, coaching, and development; maintains safe and sanitary program spaces; and responds to behavioral concerns, injuries, incidents, and emergencies. Employees who directly supervise children must follow YMCA and Praesidium child-protection standards, complete required training, report concerns, and comply with mandated reporting requirements.

Requirements

Must be at least 18 years of age.
High school diploma or equivalent required.
Previous experience working with infants, toddlers, or young children in childcare, recreation, camp, education, or a similar setting is required.
Knowledge of age-appropriate activities, child supervision, positive behavior support, and basic child development.
Strong communication, customer service, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
Ability to lead and support staff while building positive relationships with children, families, members, and coworkers.
Ability to exercise sound judgment and respond calmly and effectively in emergency situations.
Current CPR, First Aid, AED, and Child Abuse Prevention certifications, or ability to obtain them within YMCA-established timeframes.
Must successfully complete all required background screenings and comply with YMCA Child Protection Policies and organizational policies and procedures.
Attend all required Abuse Risk Management and Child Protection trainings.
Able to perform the stated physical demands, including lifting, carrying, and assisting children and equipment weighing up to 40 pounds.

Nice To Haves

Coursework in child development, education, recreation, or a related field preferred.
Previous leadership or supervisory experience preferred.

Responsibilities

Model the YMCA’s mission and core values of caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility.
Provide daily leadership and direction to Child Watch staff and maintain a positive, collaborative team environment.
Supervise children and engage them in safe, age-appropriate activities that support positive social and developmental experiences.
Maintain required staff-to-child ratios and assist with staff scheduling and coverage.
Ensure proper child check-in and check-out procedures and maintain accurate attendance and program records.
Build positive relationships with children and families and respond professionally to questions, concerns, and individual needs.
Support staff onboarding, training, coaching, and ongoing development.
Ensure compliance with YMCA Child Protection Standards, safety procedures, emergency protocols, and organizational policies.
Respond appropriately to behavioral concerns, injuries, incidents, and emergencies and complete required documentation.
Maintain clean, organized, sanitary, and safe Child Watch spaces, toys, equipment, and supplies.
Monitor program supplies and equipment and communicate needs or concerns to the supervisor.
Participate in required staff meetings, trainings, special events, and YMCA initiatives.
Follow professional-boundary policies, child-supervision procedures, child-protection protocols, and mandated reporting requirements; report suspicious or inappropriate behaviors and policy violations immediately.
Perform other duties as assigned.