Play Coach

Spirited Play Labs•Berkeley, CA

21h

About The Position

Play Coaches provide structured, therapeutic play sessions tailored to each child’s individual needs. They build consistent, supportive relationships and use specialized, evidence-based play techniques to support children’s social-emotional growth and developmental goals. The Play Coach serves as the primary therapeutic relationship for the children in their care. This role leads individual or small-group sessions, develops and adapts play plans, observes children’s development, and maintains confidential documentation. Play Coaches communicate with caregivers about children’s progress and collaborate with families and colleagues to support continuity between sessions and home. They participate in training, ongoing professional development, and monthly individual supervision with the Program Director. The work takes place in a fast-paced, physically active children’s play environment with typical play-related noise. It requires energy, adaptability, emotional resilience, and active movement around the facility. The schedule is during weekday afternoons (1 p.m.–7 p.m.) and Saturdays (9 a.m.–3 p.m.). The role requires at least 9 hours of work per week, attendance at a monthly virtual Play Coach meeting, and monthly one-to-one supervision during scheduled working hours. Casual attire is specified. Spirited Play Labs seeks candidates who intend to grow with the organization for at least one year to support continuity of care.

Requirements

At least six months of experience working with neurodivergent or disabled children.
At least two months of experience working at Spirited Play Labs.
At minimum, a high school diploma.
Complete the DIR/Floortime 101 course after being hired for the role.
Begin Play Coaching Training through Spirited Play Labs’ video and virtual training and observe current Play Coaches for at least two sessions.
Meet with the Program Director throughout training and commit to monthly one-to-one supervision.
Able to work a minimum of nine hours per week.
Able to attend a monthly virtual Play Coach meeting and monthly one-to-one supervision during scheduled working hours.
Able to communicate effectively with parents and set clear expectations.
Demonstrate curiosity, patience, empathy, playfulness, flexibility, presence, respectfulness, responsiveness, collaboration, and openness to coaching and professional growth.
Able to actively follow children through the facility, including sitting on the floor, bending, and quickly transitioning to standing.
Able to respond swiftly to unexpected child movements to help protect and ensure the safety of participants.
Able to occasionally lift up to 50 pounds as needed.
Emotional resilience for working with children experiencing challenges.
Intend to grow with the organization for at least one year, supporting continuity of care.

Responsibilities

Lead individual or small-group play sessions using evidence-based therapeutic play techniques.
Create individualized play plans based on each child’s needs and goals.
Implement interventions and activities aligned with the program methodology.
Adapt session approaches based on children’s responses and developmental progress.
Maintain appropriate boundaries and professional relationships.
Foster a safe, nurturing environment that promotes growth and exploration, using their body effectively to support and protect themselves and others.
Conduct initial and ongoing informal assessments of children’s development and needs.
Observe and document detailed notes on sensory profiles, behavior, play themes, and progress.
Track developmental milestones and areas for growth.
Maintain comprehensive, confidential session records and complete documentation within required timeframes.
Complete progress reports at three and six months and review them with parents or caregivers.
Communicate session highlights and children’s progress to caregivers.
Provide appropriate feedback and guidance to families and collaborate with caregivers to support consistency between sessions and home.
Address caregiver questions and concerns or escalate them as appropriate.
Participate in regular supervision, coaching, training, and professional development.
Incorporate feedback into practice and stay current on therapeutic play approaches and child development research.
Collaborate with other Play Coaches to share best practices.
Attend monthly virtual Play Coach meetings and monthly one-to-one supervision with the Program Director.
Contribute to a positive, collaborative team culture.