Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for School Age Teacher

🎯 Role Definition

A School Age Teacher is a dedicated educational professional who designs and leads learning and recreational programs for children, typically between the ages of 5 and 12, during out-of-school hours. This vital role extends learning beyond the traditional classroom, creating a safe, structured, and nurturing bridge between school and home. The School Age Teacher is a mentor, guide, and facilitator, responsible for fostering social, emotional, physical, and academic growth through engaging activities, homework support, and positive relationship-building. They are instrumental in helping children develop key life skills, explore new interests, and build confidence in a fun, supportive group setting.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Childcare Assistant Teacher
Camp Counselor
Paraprofessional or Teacher's Aide
Recent graduate with a degree in Education or a related field

Advancement To:

Lead School Age Teacher
Program Coordinator or Site Coordinator
Assistant Center Director
Center Director

Lateral Moves:

Early Childhood Educator (Preschool Teacher)
Special Education Paraprofessional
Youth Program Leader (e.g., at a community center or non-profit)
Corporate Childcare Specialist

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Develop, plan, and implement a well-rounded, age-appropriate curriculum that includes activities in arts, STEM, literacy, and physical fitness to engage school-age children.
Foster a safe, inclusive, and positive classroom culture where every child feels respected, valued, and has a sense of belonging.
Provide direct, active supervision of children at all times to ensure their physical and emotional safety and well-being, both indoors and outdoors.
Establish and maintain open, consistent, and professional communication with parents and guardians regarding their child's progress, activities, and any behavioral or developmental observations.
Create a structured and supportive environment for homework completion, offering guidance, resources, and encouragement to help students succeed academically.
Implement positive behavior guidance and classroom management strategies that teach self-regulation, conflict resolution, and positive social skills.
Serve as a positive role model for students, demonstrating professionalism, enthusiasm, patience, and a genuine interest in their development.
Prepare, arrange, and maintain classroom materials, learning centers, and equipment to create a stimulating and organized educational environment.
Plan and lead engaging group projects, games, and team-building exercises that promote collaboration, communication, and social-emotional learning.
Facilitate smooth and orderly transitions between various daily activities, such as school pick-up, snack time, homework, and free play.
Adapt curriculum and activities to meet the diverse needs, interests, and developmental levels of all children in the program, including those with special needs.
Conduct daily health and safety checks of the environment and children to ensure compliance with all program and state licensing standards.
Document attendance, incidents, and anecdotal observations of children's progress and behavior accurately and confidentially.
Engage with children during meal and snack times to model healthy eating habits and facilitate positive social conversations.
Build a strong rapport with each child, taking the time to understand their individual personalities, strengths, and challenges.

Secondary Functions

Attend and actively participate in staff meetings, professional development workshops, and ongoing training sessions to enhance teaching skills and knowledge.
Collaborate with co-teachers and program leadership to continuously evaluate and improve the quality and effectiveness of the school-age program.
Assist in planning, organizing, and chaperoning special events, field trips, or on-site presentations that enrich the children's experience.
Maintain a clean, orderly, and visually appealing classroom space that meets all health, safety, and licensing regulations.
Contribute to regular parent newsletters or communication platforms, sharing updates on curriculum themes and upcoming events.
Uphold the center's mission, philosophy, and policies in all interactions with children, families, colleagues, and the community.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Curriculum & Lesson Planning: Ability to design and execute creative, age-appropriate activities for school-age children.
Classroom Management Techniques: Proficient in using positive guidance and strategies to maintain a productive learning environment.
Child Development Knowledge: Strong understanding of the cognitive, social, and emotional developmental stages of children aged 5-12.
First Aid & CPR Certification: Certified or willing to become certified in pediatric First Aid and CPR.
Safety & Licensing Regulations: Knowledge of state and local childcare licensing requirements for health, safety, and supervision.
Academic Support: Competency in assisting children with elementary and middle school level homework across various subjects.

Soft Skills

Patience & Empathy: The ability to remain calm and understanding while guiding children through academic and social challenges.
Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills for interacting effectively with children, parents, and colleagues.
Creativity & Enthusiasm: A passion for inventing fun, engaging activities and maintaining a high-energy, positive atmosphere.
Adaptability & Flexibility: The capacity to adjust plans quickly in response to children's interests or unexpected situations.
Problem-Solving: Strong critical thinking skills to navigate and resolve conflicts or challenges that arise in the classroom.
Teamwork & Collaboration: A cooperative spirit and willingness to work closely with other staff members to achieve program goals.
Leadership & Mentorship: The ability to inspire and guide children, acting as a positive and influential role model.
Organization & Time Management: Skill in managing multiple tasks, from planning activities to supervising a group of children effectively.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

A High School Diploma or GED. Must meet state-specific educational requirements for school-age professionals, which may include coursework in child development or a related field.

Preferred Education:

An Associate's or Bachelor's Degree in a relevant field of study. A Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential™ with a school-age endorsement is also highly valued.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Early Childhood Education
Elementary Education
Child Development / Human Development
Psychology or Sociology
Recreation Management

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

1-2 years of professional experience working directly with school-age children (ages 5-12) in a structured, group setting such as a licensed childcare center, school, or camp.

Preferred:

2+ years of experience in a licensed before-and-after-school program or summer camp setting, with demonstrated experience in curriculum planning and parent communication.