Nursery & Afterschool Assistant

**JOB TITLE**:Nursery/ Afterschool Assistant

**LOCATION**:YMCA Nursery 56 Knightsbridge Park Belfast BT9 5EH

**RESPONSIBLE TO**:Nursery Manager/Afterschool Manager

**JOB PURPOSE**:
To ensure a high level of service for the children in their care, providing for their daily physical needs and ongoing social and emotional development.

**KEY TASKS**:
Assist in maintaining a high level of childcare within the Centre.

Plan, implement and evaluate activities and experiences to promote children’s learning and development through a daily operational programme.

Provide information and advice for action towards meeting departmental objectives.

Care for the physical needs of the children in the group for which they are directly responsible.

Support the social and emotional development of the children in the group for which they are directly responsible.

Provide for the management of children’s behaviour within the group for which they are directly responsible.

Supervise the children during indoor activities and outdoor play, including break times and meal times.

Ensure that high standards are set and maintained in relation to health and safety and hygiene.

Assist with the transportation of the children to and from school using either own or Association vehicle or, where appropriate, by walking the required distance.

Establish and maintain arrangements with parents to ensure appropriate provision within the Nursery service.

**FUNCTIONS OF THE POST**:
Maintain a child-oriented environment that is attractive and stimulating for young children.

Promote the development of children’s language and communication skills.

Promote children’s sensory and intellectual development.

Observe and assess the development and behaviour of children.

Promote the positive aspects of children’s behaviour and manage unwanted aspects.

Contribute to the work of the staff team with the Nursery Centre.

Contribute to the development of good practice within the team.

Exchange information to solve problems and make decisions.

Seek, evaluate and organise information for action.

Ensure that children receive adequate nutrition to meet their daily needs.

Contribute to children’s personal hygiene.

Respond to illness in a child.

Provide opportunities for children to rest or sleep.

Provide opportunities for children’s exercise.

Help children to relate others and to develop self-reliance and self-esteem.

Help children to recognise and deal with their feelings.

Maintain a safe environment for the children at all times.

Carry out emergency procedures and cope with accidents or injuries to children.

Contribute to the protection of children from abuse.

Ensure children’s safety on outings, day trips or during delivery/collection from school.

Assist in the identification of a family’s requirements for the child care service.

Establish and maintain exchange of information with parents about the care of their child.

**SCALE AND IMPACT**:
Scale: The postholder has no budgetary control or direct line management responsibilities.

Impact: Assists and carries out functional activities and related support operations specifically related to job purpose. Contributes to the achievement of functional and departmental objectives.

**DISCRETION TO ACT**:
The postholder has shared responsibilities for a number of routine and varied

operations. Implements established policy and contributes to procedural decision making

defined within the parameters of the post. Refers changes and shares ideas with the

Nursery Manager for advice and approval.

**ENVIRONMENT**:
The working week relates to set hours within a 7.30am to 6.00 pm working day.

Occasional flexibility is required to cover staff holidays or absence.

**RELATIONSHIPS**:
Internal: Maintains and develop day to day functional relationships within the work area directly related to the job purpose.

External: Maintains and develop relationships with parents which may indirectly impact on the achievement of both Nursery and YMCA objectives.

**KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS**:
Qualifications/ Experience: Desirable
- NVQ Level 2 in Childcare and Education or equivalent/higher.

A minimum of 1 year’s practical work experience

Skills: Good written and oral communication skills. Sound knowledge of relevant issues. A relaxed and friendly manner. The ability to work well within a team.

Understanding

of YMCA Principles: The post holder should be in sympathy with the Aims and Purposes of the YMCA. In particular they should be able to relate the YMCA principles of equality of opportunity and acceptance of all across the child care function.

Currently all employment and volunteering positions at Belfast YMCA require an

Enhanced Disclosure and positions connected with childcare require further social

services checks. These positions are exempt from the provisions of the Rehabilitation of

Offenders Act.

**Job Types**: Full-time, Permanent

**Salary**: £15,000.00-£20,000.00 per year