Academic Adventure Academy is seeking a reliable, energetic, nurturing, and experienced Lead Aftercare Teacher to join our childcare team. This position is ideal for someone who enjoys working with school-age children and can confidently manage an after-school classroom while maintaining a safe, structured, and engaging environment. The Lead Aftercare Teacher will oversee our aftercare program and be responsible for supervising children, assisting with homework, leading activities, managing classroom behavior, maintaining cleanliness, and helping ensure the program operates smoothly each day. Responsibilities Provide active supervision of school-age children at all times. Lead and maintain a structured daily aftercare routine. Assist children with homework and provide academic support as needed. Plan and lead games, arts and crafts, STEM projects, group activities, outdoor play, and other age-appropriate activities. Maintain consistent classroom rules and expectations. Use positive guidance and redirection to address behavioral concerns. Help children develop positive social skills, independence, responsibility, and conflict-resolution skills. Conduct attendance checks and head counts throughout the shift. Serve snacks and/or meals and supervise children during mealtimes. Follow all procedures regarding allergies and dietary restrictions. Maintain a clean, safe, and organized childcare environment. Sanitize tables and frequently used surfaces and ensure toys and materials are properly stored. Complete assigned cleaning and closing responsibilities. Complete required attendance, incident, behavior, and other childcare documentation. Communicate important concerns or incidents to the Director/Owner. Interact professionally with parents and guardians. Follow all Academic Adventure Academy policies, safety procedures, and applicable childcare licensing requirements. Provide leadership and direction to other aftercare staff when assigned. Qualifications Must be at least 18 years old. High school diploma or GED required. Previous experience working with school-age children in a daycare, school, after-school program, summer camp, youth program, or similar setting is strongly preferred. Lead teacher, classroom management, or supervisory experience is preferred. Must be dependable, punctual, patient, and professional. Must have strong communication and classroom-management skills. Must be comfortable managing a group of school-age children. Must be able to pass all required background checks. Must be willing to complete all required childcare training and certifications. CPR/First Aid certification is preferred or must be obtained as required. Must meet applicable DCFS requirements for the position. What We're Looking For We are looking for someone who can take ownership of the aftercare classroom rather than simply supervise children. The ideal candidate takes initiative, keeps children engaged, maintains structure, notices potential problems before they escalate, and understands the importance of consistent routines and expectations. You should be comfortable balancing fun with structure and understand that safety and active supervision are always the priority. Ideal Candidate You may be a great fit if you are: Dependable and consistently on time Patient but firm when necessary Creative and energetic Organized and attentive to detail Comfortable leading groups of children Able to work independently without constant direction A strong communicator Able to remain calm during challenging situations Passionate about creating a positive environment for children

Pay:

$17.00 - $18.00 per hour

Benefits:

Professional development assistance

Work Location:

In person