Red Caboose fosters a sense of community among children, their families, and staff, with a commitment to diversity and inclusion. We provide excellent education, nutrition, and play-based learning for children in a nurturing, safe environment emphasizing healthy social-emotional development.
Red Caboose is the oldest independent child care center in Madison, founded by a group of parents as a nonprofit child care center in 1972. Since those early days, Red Caboose has expanded to meet the needs of families with school-age children through quality after school and summer camp programs.
We are looking for adults with professional experience who are energetic, creative, & dedicated to work with children in grades K-6. These children are from a highly diverse group of socio-economic backgrounds. We are a child-centered, choice-based environment. Part of our day is free choice and outdoor play. Each day also offers projects, activities, and active games.
Camp Caboose is licensed by the State of Wisconsin & Accredited by the City of Madison. We are located at Marquette Elementary school near downtown, easily located off of the bus and bike route.
In the Camp Counselor position you would be supervising a group Comets (grades 3-6) or Shooting Stars (1st and 2nd grade), supporting the Captains in facilitating activities and projects, and additionally supervise free play time, outside time before and after the Captains shift, and when the Captain is on break.
The AM Counselors plan a Monday Morning Blast, or a Friday Fiesta with the PM counselors. Positions with one age group or another may be limited. We currently have AM and PM Camp Counselor positions open five days a week for both age groups. The AM counselor position is 7:15 am-1:15 pm. The PM counselor position is 12:00-6 pm The PM counselor includes the potential for additional hours subbing in the AM as needed.
Part of being Camp Staff is attending weekly field trips and swim trips to local pools. Wednesdays each theme has a field trip. Thursdays we go on swimming trips to pools or splash pads. On Mondays we have a camp-wide weekly Blast Off! and Fridays we have the Friday Fiesta.
We're very excited about our Summer 2024 Camp Themes. You can read more about them here!
o Wages: $16.65 probation wage ($17 base permanent wage after three months of probation, to increase with education and training)
o Benefits: sick/vacation time, holiday pay & paid staff development
o Choice of start times, Captains have two different shifts
o Childcare benefit available at Red Caboose Childcare Center 11 months-4 years old
o Bonus for completion of qualifying childcare coursework if needed, will sponsor childcare Lead Teacher certification.
o Year round opportunities with benefits right away for those who stay through the summer and join for the after school program staff in fall. Cash in lieu of benefits option for those who are already covered by health insurance.
Minimum Requirements: You must be 18 years old to qualify for this position. You must meet State Licensing requirements for assistant teacher status (Specific child development/child care equivalent coursework or 10 hours of training within 6 months of hire.)
If committed to completing licensing required coursework in childcare and education, Red Caboose will provide coursework upon completion, staff will receive a bonus equivalent to course hours and Lead Teacher certification which is transferable anywhere in childcare in Wisconsin and other states.
Candidates must also pass a background check in accordance with state licensing through the Department of Children and Families.
Required Camp training is the weekend of May 17-19th, (Friday evening, Saturday, and Sunday morning) optional overnight with team building opportunities, door prizes, meals provided!
We can interview live in person or on zoom. We typically interview between 11 and 2 before our after school program. This week we have time available Wednesday, Thursday and Friday morning.
In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.
To Apply: Please email resume and a post-high school transcript to Laura@redcaboosechildcare.org . An unofficial transcript will be sufficient to assess the level of required education for licensed childcare qualifications.
After Camp Caboose we will have other part time opportunities in the after school program or potentially more full time opportunities with the preschool age at the Child Care Center.