Youth and Family Instructor

Position Summary

The Youth and Family Instructor will be responsible for engaging in and implementing all programs and activities daily through Kids' Care and other Youth & Family programs. Instructors guide the development of children, ensuring a safe, enriching, and healthy environment using materials and resources provided. Staff provide a safe and fun environment for children while parents are involved in YMCA activities.

Staff engage with children to allow them to develop physically, socially, emotionally, and cognitively within the context of caring relationships with the adults in the program. Staff provide a quality experience to children and parents with focus on quality program operations promoting the five core values of the YMCA: caring, honesty, respect, responsibility and faith as well as upholds our service standards of welcoming, connecting, supporting, and inviting.

This position is expected to rotate between all facility locations and may support programs and events in the Youth & Family department, including participating in a rotating weekend schedule.

Swedish American Riverfront YMCA, 200 Y Blvd., Rockford, IL

Our mission and core values are brought to life by our culture. In the Y, we strive to live our cause of strengthening communities with purpose and intentionality every day. We are welcoming: we are open to all. We are a place where you can belong and become. We are genuine: we value you and embrace your individuality. We are hopeful: we believe in you and your potential to become a catalyst in the world.

We are nurturing: we support you in your journey to develop your full potential. We are determined: above all else, we are on a relentless quest to make our community stronger beginning with you.

The Y is made up of people of all ages, from all walks of life, working side-by-side to strengthen communities. We strive to ensure that everyone, regardless of ability, age, cultural background, ethnicity, faith, gender, gender expression, gender identity, ideology, income, national origin, race or sexual orientation has the opportunity to reach their full potential with dignity. Our core values are caring, honesty, respect, responsibility and faith — they guide everything we do.

The YMCA of Rock River Valley has a responsibility to provide safe and secure programs and services for our community. The YMCA is a leader in child abuse prevention to support the safety of children in our care.

• Report any items that may provide a health or safety hazard to staff, members or guests to your supervisor.
• Follow all policies and procedures related to keeping children safe in our facilities and programs, including monitoring and supervision of children.
• Report any suspicious behavior and violation of policy and procedures to your supervisor.
• Complete all child abuse prevention training as required.

• Be a positive YMCA role model for Youth & Family programming by modeling the YMCA core values and service standards.
• Follow procedures for day-to-day operations of childcare programming, including the Kids Care program and Kids’ Night Out, meeting all applicable state regulations and YMCA policies.
• Engage in developmentally appropriate programming meeting the physical, social, emotional, and intellectual needs of participants.
• Provide careful, attentive supervision and stay alert at all times.
• Use program resources responsibly to enrich experiences; materials are multicultural, nonsexist, and anti-bias.
• Support programs that adhere to YMCA health and safety standards and maintain high standards of cleanliness and presentation.
• Encourage an environment that invites exploration, positive play, and welcomes children.
• Promote teamwork through positive communication and interaction with others; maintain ongoing communication with supervisor and parents.
• Attend and participate in staff meetings and training opportunities at least quarterly.
• Support Youth & Family programs and events, including birthday parties, special events, Kids’ Night Out, and activities…