The Stamford JCC is seeking an energetic and dependable KidsPlace Coordinator to lead the day-to-day delivery of our year-round childcare programming for children in grades K–5. This is a direct-service leadership role for an early-career professional who wants to build a career in youth development and childcare within a mission-driven JCC environment.
The Coordinator owns the operation and experience of KidsPlace After School and our extended-care calendar — Kids Night Out, vacation day and no-school day camps, and weekend and holiday programming — ensuring families always have a safe, joyful, and reliable place for their children when school is out. This year-round childcare work is the core of the role (roughly 80% of the year). During the summer, the Coordinator steps into a defined leadership seat as a Unit Head and member of the Camp Leadership Team for Day Camps@The J (roughly 20% of the year). The position reports to the Director of Youth & Camping.
Key Responsibilities
KidsPlace After School (Primary Responsibility)
- Serve as the on-site lead for KidsPlace After School, supporting the daily safety, supervision, and engagement of children in grades K–5.
- Supervise, coach, and schedule the part-time and seasonal staff who deliver the program, modeling a hands-on approach by participating in activities alongside children.
- Create age-appropriate group assignments, daily schedules, and activity plans that balance homework support, enrichment, recreation, and free play.
- Manage daily attendance, sign-in/sign-out, and authorized-pickup procedures with strict adherence to child-safety protocols.
Year-Round Childcare Programming
- Plan and run extended-care programming on the days families need it most: Kids Night Out, vacation day and no-school day camps, teacher in-service days, and holiday and weekend childcare.
- Build a recurring calendar of K–5 childcare offerings aligned to local school district closures, and coordinate staffing, supplies, and logistics for each session.
- Develop and lead theme days, special events, and family touchpoints that strengthen retention and grow enrollment across the year-round childcare portfolio.
- Maintain continuity of care so that KidsPlace, vacation programming, and camp feel like one connected experience for families.
Camp Unit Head — Day Camps@The J (Summer, ~20% of role)
- Serve as a Unit Head and member of the Camp Leadership Team, supervising the counselors and daily schedule for an assigned camp unit and ensuring every camper has a safe and memorable summer.
- Partner with the Director of Youth and Camp and Leadership Team on staff training, camper placement, and program quality, and leverage school-year relationships to transition KidsPlace families smoothly into summer camp.
Operational Coordination
- Coordinate both operational and programmatic elements across KidsPlace and the year-round childcare calendar.
- Facilitate timely, professional communication among parents/guardians, participants, and staff, and resolve day-to-day issues as they arise.
- Maintain accurate program records, track participation and enrollment, and support program evaluation and continuous improvement.
Team Collaboration & Leadership
- Work collaboratively with the Youth Programming Team across KidsPlace, Day Camps@The J, enrichment classes, major events, and holiday programs.
- Support staff recruitment, onboarding, and training, and participate in ongoing professional development.
- Accept additional assignments as given by the Director of Youth & Camping, the Associate Executive Director, or the CEO of the JCC.
Required Qualifications
Experience & Education
- 1–3 years of experience working with school-age children in formal or informal settings (after-school programs, camp, youth organizations).
- 1+ year of experience managing, supervising, or developing children’s programming.
- Bachelor’s degree in Recreation, Education, Child Development, or a related field preferred.
Essential Skills & Attributes
- Highly organized and process-oriented, with the ability to be both focused and flexible in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
- Excellent communication skills — listening, written, and verbal.
- Warm, cheerful, patient, and nurturing, with genuine enthusiasm for working with children.
- Able to work effectively with diverse children, families, educators, and co-workers.
- Flexible, mature, and responsible, and a self-motivated team player ready to contribute to a vibrant and busy environment.
Physical & Certification Requirements
- Current CPR, First Aid, and AED certification for adults/children/infants (or willingness to obtain before the start date).
- Schedule flexibility to cover after-school hours, occasional evenings and weekends (Kids Night Out, special events), school-closure days, and full-day summer camp.
- Ability to actively participate in physical activities with children, including swimming and outdoor recreation.
- Capability to work in various indoor and outdoor environments across the JCC’s 15-acre campus.
Pay: $50,000.00 - $55,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 403(b)
- 403(b) matching
- Dental insurance
- Employee discount
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
Work Location: In person
