Childcare Assistant in Dungannon

To assist the Centre Manager in ensuring the smooth running of Rainbow Community Childcare (RCC) and ensuring safe and effective services that meet the care and developmental needs of the children aged 0 to 12 years who attend the activities of the Centre. To promote and maintain a friendly and welcoming atmosphere in RCC. To ensure all services meet quality and regulatory standards. To liaise with parents and carers on a regular and ongoing basis. To undertake domestic duties as required.

Responsibilities

• Support the Centre Manager and supervisor in providing a stimulating and varied programme of activity in order to enhance each child’s abilities; and in a way which ensures the safety and well-being of the children at all times.
• Work with the Centre Manager, supervisor and other staff in order to promote a positive team-working environment.
• Help prepare the areas where the children are present on a daily basis.
• Ensure all children and parents are warmly greeted and keep parents informed of their child’s overall development.
• Ensure that all equipment, and play materials, are stored in a logical manner, and in a way which promotes the child’s independence when choosing play materials.
• Ensure the safety of the children at all times. The post holder should have the necessary knowledge to be able to detect hazards in the environment and be able to take appropriate action.
• Assist children at mealtimes, offer help where needed and ensure that these are sociable, enjoyable occasions for everyone.
• Ensure that hygiene standards are maintained at all times when staff are attending to children’s personal hygiene. These routines should be carried out in a way which demonstrates a respect for the individual child.
• Take an active part in planning and providing a caring and stimulating environment, which meets the individual needs of all the children, in conjunction with supervisory staff.
• Help plan, prepare and take part in all special events, outings and visits.
• Listen to, encourage, enable and stimulate all children in all ways as part of a team approach.
• Advise the supervisory staff of any matter requiring attention, such as concerns about a child, accidents, incidents, complaints, or equipment needing repaired/replaced.
• Maintain an appropriate First Aid Certificate and Food Hygiene Certificate.
• Adhere to RCC Code of Conduct.
• Keep strictly confidential any personal information regarding children, their families or other staff which is learnt as part of the job. Such information should only be passed on in the interests of the child.
• Keep daily records of children specific to the designated work area.
• Be ready to commence working at the time stated and be prepared to stay at the end of a shift until replacement staff arrive.
• The overall policies of RCC are laid down by the Management Committee to whom all staff are accountable. It is the responsibility of the post holder to make him/herself aware of these and adhere to them at all times.
• Keep up to date with relevant training requirements and attend essential appropriate in-service training.
• Undertake such domestic duties as may be required by the Centre Manager.
• Carry out any other duties relevant to post.
• Carry out reasonable instructions which are given by the Centre Manager and supervisory staff.

Skills and Qualifications

• Knowledge of child development, and be able to demonstrate an ability to relate this to his/her practice.
• Available to work from 7.30am and/or until 6.00pm.
• Over 18 years at time of commencement of post or 17 if holding NVQ2 Childcare qualification.
• Ability to cope with the physical demands of caring for young children.
• Good spoken and written English.
• NVQ3 in Childcare or equivalent or NVQ2 in Childcare or equivalent.
• One year’s experience caring for children aged under 12 yrs.
• Knowledge of child observation, planning and recording.
• Have a valid UK drivers licence.

Further Information

JobStart Opportunity - Working Hours Information- Standard Hours: up to 25 hours per week.- Flexible/Reduced Hours: May be available upon approval by a Work Coach.- Additional Hours: The employer may offer extra hours depending on availability. This should be discussed directly with the employer before starting employment.

Application Information: JOBSTART IS OPEN TO WORKING AGE BENEFIT CLAIMANTS WHO ARE DEEMED ELIGIBLE BY A WORK COACH. If you are on Universal Credit, please contact your Work Coach via your Journal. If you are in receipt of any other working age benefit, please contact your local Jobs & Benefits Office on 0800 001 5782.