School-Age Program Lead Teacher– Aftercare & Camps

Jelly Bean Junction is looking for a strong, experienced School-Age Program Lead to help us develop and lead an engaging program for children ages 5–12.

This is a new leadership position within our school, and we are looking for someone who wants to help us build a school-age program that goes beyond traditional “aftercare.” The right person will be creative, organized, confident with behavior management, and genuinely enjoy working with elementary-age children.

This position requires someone who is comfortable taking full ownership of the classroom. As children begin leaving for the day and staffing is reduced, the Lead must be confident and capable of independently supervising and managing a group of up to 25 school-age children.

What We’re Looking For

We want someone who understands that elementary school is a significant stage of childhood. Our school-age children are developing independence, friendships, confidence, emotional regulation, and their own interests and personalities.

The ideal candidate knows how to build relationships with children first, understand the reason behind a behavior, set clear expectations, and redirect effectively rather than immediately relying on punishment when a child struggles to follow directions.

At the same time, this person must be confident enough to manage a large group, maintain appropriate boundaries, and create a classroom environment that is safe, respectful, organized, and enjoyable.

Program Leadership

The School-Age Program Lead will create engaging daily activities and experiences that children actually want to participate in.

Children will have appropriate choices and autonomy and will not be required to participate in every planned activity. Our goal is to provide activities interesting enough that they want to join in.

Activities may include STEM challenges, art projects, cooking activities, outdoor games, sports, team challenges, building projects, clubs, competitions, seasonal activities, and activities based on the children's current interests.

A written weekly activity plan will be required. Materials and supply requests must be submitted to Administration approximately one week in advance so items can be purchased and prepared.

Planning is important, but flexibility is equally important. If an activity is not connecting with the children, we expect our Lead to recognize that and confidently adjust the plan rather than forcing an activity simply because it was scheduled.

Responsibilities

The School-Age Program Lead will:

• Serve as the primary Lead Teacher for the school-age classroom.
• Supervise and actively engage with children ages 5–12.
• Be able to independently supervise up to 25 children as children leave for the day and additional staff are no longer needed.
• Confidently manage a large group while maintaining safety, structure, and positive engagement.
• Establish consistent classroom expectations and routines.
• Manage behaviors calmly, fairly, and developmentally appropriately.
• Build relationships with individual children and learn their personalities, strengths, needs, and interests.
• Maintain a clean, organized, inviting classroom.
• Reset and prepare the classroom for the following day.
• Maintain and organize activity materials and supplies.
• Submit activity plans and supply requests in advance.
• Work collaboratively with Administration to continuously develop and expand the school-age program.
• Assist with planning Fall Camp, Winter Camp, Spring Camp, and Summer Camp activities and field trips.
• Help identify and plan age-appropriate field trip opportunities.
• Safely drive a 14-passenger school van for school pickup and field trips.
• Communicate professionally with families during afternoon pickup.

Schedule

The typical school-year schedule is: Monday–Friday, 10:00 AM–6:00 PM

Hours may shift earlier during school breaks and summer camp when school-age children are with us for the full day.

No evenings past 6:00 PM and no weekends. Jelly Bean Junction is open year-round and closes for major holidays.

Required Qualifications

Candidates must:

• Have direct experience working with elementary or school-age children.
• Demonstrate strong group and behavior-management skills.
• Be comfortable independently managing a school-age group of up to 25 children.
• Be able to plan and lead engaging activities for children ages 5–12.
• Be patient, dependable, organized, and able to maintain appropriate boundaries while building positive relationships with children.
• Be comfortable taking ownership of a classroom and working independently while collaborating with Administration.
• Have completed the Florida DCF-required 45 hours of childcare training, or be able and willing to complete the required training within 30 days of employment.
• Successfully pass all required childcare background screening through the Florida Care Provider Background Screening Clearinghouse: https://crw.flclearinghouse.com/
• Hold current CPR certification, or be willing and able to obtain CPR certification within 30 days of employment.
• Possess a valid driver's license.
• Have no tickets or at-fault accidents within the previous two years.
• Be able to successfully complete a basic driver's physical and meet all requirements necessary to operate Jelly Bean Junction's school vehicle.
• Be physically capable of safely supervising active school-age children, participating in indoor and outdoor activities, assisting during field trips, and performing the physical duties associated with the position.
• Be comfortable and capable of safely driving a 14-passenger van while transporting children.Compensation

Starting pay will be determined based on the candidate's direct experience, qualifications, demonstrated ability, and the level of responsibility they are prepared to take on.

We are intentionally looking for someone with the experience and initiative to take ownership of this program, and compensation will reflect the strength of the candidate.

About Jelly Bean Junction

Jelly Bean Junction has served Melbourne-area families for more than 30 years. We are a year-round early learning center serving children from infancy through VPK, with school-age Before/Aftercare and seasonal camps.

For this position, we are looking for someone who doesn't simply want to supervise an aftercare classroom. We want someone who is excited about helping us develop a school-age program children look forward to coming to every day.

Pay: $16.00 - $19.00 per hour

Expected hours: No more than 40.0 per week

Benefits:

• 401(k) matching
• Employee assistance program
• Employee discount
• Paid time off

Application Question(s):

• Are you willing and able to work 10am to 6 pm straight, Monday-Friday without exception?
• Our insurance requires that all van drivers are at least 21 years of age. Do you meet the minimum criteria?

Experience:

• school-age childcare: 2 years (Required)

License/Certification:

• DCF certification (Preferred)
• CPR Certification (Preferred)
• Driver's License (Required)

Ability to Commute:

• Melbourne, FL 32934 (Required)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $16 - $19