Childcare Assistant

Childcare Assistant

Job Title: Childcare Assistant/Playworker

Location: LCCC 1-5 Doric Way, Larne

Hours: 16 hours per week

Responsible to: Room Supervisor

Larne Community Care Centre is a multipurpose facility that operates various projects for the community including a Daycare, pre-nursery, after school club, breakfast club and youth club.

Purpose of the Position

We are currently looking to recruit a Childcare Assistant to join our team to work in both our Kids Korner Daycare and our Skools Out Club with children aged from 2-11 years.

You will work as part of the childcare team under the direction of the Supervisor and will be responsible for assisting in the delivery of childcare facilities within Larne Community Care Centre.

The childcare assistant will be responsible for organising and implementing a stimulating and varied programme of activities for children, within a group setting and on an individual level and will carry out any other reasonable duties, which will enhance the quality of life of the children.

Key Responsibilities
- Provide a caring stimulating environment for the children.
- Listen to, encourage, enable, stimulate and ensure the safe keeping of the children.
- To help ensure records are properly maintained and updated.
- To help ensure we provide a safe environment for children, staff and others, that equipment is safe, standards of hygiene are high and safety procedures are implemented at all times.
- Keep parents up to date on their child’s progress.
- Ensure that play rooms are prepared and set out in readiness each day.
- Help provide and take part in all the group’s activities including special events, outings and visits.
- Attend staff meetings and help to prepare forward plans for the programme of activities.
- Advise the leader of any matter requiring attention such as concerns about a child or equipment needing repaired or replaced.
- Keep completely confidential any information regarding the children, their families or other staff which is learnt as part of the job. A non-disclosure agreement will be required as part of any job offer
- Ensure that all Centre policies and procedures are adhered to ensuring that the welfare and safety of children is promoted within the setting and that any child protection concerns are always appropriately acted upon immediately Undertake relevant training where necessary.
- Have a flexible approach to hours of work.
- Any other duties deemed reasonable.

Users of our services are vital and the reason for our existence. Members of staff are expected at all times to provide a caring service and to treat anyone, with whom they come into contact, in a courteous and respectful way.

As an employee of the project, you have a duty to take reasonable care of the health and safely of yourself and of other persons who may be affected by your acts or omissions at work. You must assist and co-operate with the project in complying with any statutory provisions imposed upon it.

Staff will be expected to demonstrate their commitment to the Centre by their regular attendance and the efficient completion of all tasks allocated to them.

Staff must comply with the project's policies including the 'No Smoking Policy'.

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (1974) and does require a criminal records check with Access NI and the Disclosure Barring Service. Applicants must be prepared to disclose any convictions they may have and any orders which have been made against them.

Larne Community Care Centre operates an equal opportunities policy and expects staff to demonstrate a commitment by adhering to Equal Opportunities Policies.

(Registered Charity number: 102582)

Childcare Assistant Personnel Specification

This person specification outlines what you will need to be able to demonstrate to be a successful Childcare Assistant and outlines the essential qualifications, experience knowledge and skills required to carry out the duties of this post.

**Skills and abilities**
Ability to supervise children effectively
Good verbal and written communicator
Ability to effectively maintain good working relationships and to support and develop team
Ability to interact with parents and guardians
Ability to manage self, organise and prioritise workload and work calmly under pressure.
Suitable to work with young children -Satisfactory Access NI check required

**Desirable Criteria**
QCF Level 2 Diploma in Childcare Learning and Development or Playwork or equivalent
One year’s experience working with children 0-4 in a group based setting gained within the last 5 years
A knowledge and understanding of children’s development stages
An understanding of the importance of play
Will be familiar with all relevant policies including but not limited to Health and Safety, Fire Safety, GDPR and Equal Opportunities
Awareness of key operational procedures within a childcare setting
Commitment to equal opportunities and an understanding of equality and div