Early Years Educator And Afterschool Teacher With Accomodation In Newcastle Co. Dublin.

Job description

Choice Childcare Preschool and After School Service

info.choicechildcare@gmail.com

Job Description

Job Title: Early years educator

Address/Location:Choice Childcare Newcastle

Old School House,

Main Street,

Newcastle, Co Dublin

Responsible for: Children aged 2 – 12 years

Salary: €16.28 per hour with level 7 or above or €14 ph level 5/6 dependant on qualifications and experience.

Health Plan: Available for all staff from September 1st 2024

Gym: Weekly Gym classes available for all choice childcare staff in Newcastle location

Responsible to: Elaine O’ Meara the managing director and Sarah Brennan the service manager. Laura Kelly Mc Carthy is service general manager

Start date: August 2024

Uniform:There is no uniform but a list of appropriate clothing will be outlined in your full terms and conditions of employment. Smart casual

Other company locations: Celbridge Co Kildare

Job purpose:

To help develop and implement a comprehensive preschool program in keeping with the principals of Siolta and the quality framework of Aistear and at all times be compliant with the pre schools regulations act 2006 and 2016.

To aid in the holistic development of children in your care and to provide a warm and loving environment for the children on a daily basis. To work under the key principles of Aistear. To interact, build relationships with the children, their care givers and your team mates. To be a positive influence, friend, educator and role model to every child in your care. To help grow this special childcare service and be a part of something magical every single day.

You will be there to ensure continuity of service in the absence of the manager and will be a lead teacher in a class daily in ratio also. You will be kept up to date on all management information and training will be provided in systems used in the running of the service.

You will be required to help support your teams, supervise class activities and help your work mates to achieve aims and maintain standards set out by the company.

You will be helping to manage the early years hive portal, help maintain paperwork, help with rosters and manage parent communications.

You will be added to the management group for shared communication between owner and partner services.

Key activities/tasks:

To assess the needs of the individual children and put programs in place to aid in each child’s specific needs.

Put a full curriculum in place with the key areas of a child’s development and their own input to be considered daily.

To carry out observations on a weekly basis to assess progress and aid in the development of the holistic child.

Have lesson plans designed and ready as a tool to help support learning every week. Any lesson plans should be developed weekly in advance and developed around the needs of any child or group interests that arise during their play or chats.

To work with parents on a regular basis and communicate with them about the development of their child.

To keep regular up to date fire safety, child protection, health and safety records or as required by the current and future preschool regulations.

To attend regular meetings with the manager and provide all relevant information required about the children in your care at each meeting.

To attend regular quality improvement workshops throughout the year to keep up to date with key areas of your job.

To comply with and have a good understanding of:

1. Childcare act2. UN convention on the rights of the child3. Child protection children first4. Health and safety5. Preschool regulations6. Fire safety7. First aid8. HACCPTraining can be provided if you need support with any of these regulations

To report any area of concern to the manager in a timely manner.

Have a flexible approach to the work in response to organizational change, development and review of best practices.

To undertake other duties that may be requested by the manager from time to time.

Note: This job description will be reviewed and updated in line with the needs of the work.

Key terms and conditions

Here at Choice preschool service, we offer a warm and inviting atmosphere for children, parents/guardians and staff alike. We work as part of a team who communicate, respect and help each other. The working year is a full term period, we offer adoptive leave, parental leave and we respect equal opportunity/fair employment, we have grievance, and anti-bullying policies in place and we will always try to facilitate staff needs where possible. There is scope to full time work and this is currently being looked at. We plan to offer holiday care going forward.

Hours: 18 hours per week. More hours available if needed Exact times to be confirmed prior to starting times.

Place of employment: Old School House Newcastle.

We have other locations also, Choice Childcare, Aghards house Celbridge, Newcastle is your principle place of employment. We do ask staff to be flexible in terms of location but we usually never need staff to move unless in an emergency and with prior consent.

Communication

To communicate frequently with the team members/ manager/ and parents as appropriate.

To communicate in a straight forward, accurate, and professional manner and not to engage in unnecessary social conversations when working and supervising children. This includes to other staff and parents in the service.

Always bring any grievances to the service manager and Elaine and no problem is left unresolved. This team can only work if we all work in harmony. We do not tolerate staff who speak badly about other staff members and any issue should be resolved with the manager only.

Care of Children

To be attentive to the children in your care and interact with them throughout their day. Playing with the children is paramount to your job and is vital in order to observe their needs, find out how they learn and to ascertain how best they can be provided for.

To deal with issues as they arise in relation to the wellbeing of children

To communicate to children at their level. Use the behavioural management policy and other supports

To provide personal care if necessary ( nose cleaning, toileting, washing)

To carry out planned and unplanned observations using the observation system and materials

Help with toileting if required.

Carry out observations as required by preschool policy

Repost any child protection concerns

Stimulate and encourage children at all times

Communicate with the child’s family in a positive and constructive way and always talk with management if you wish to meet with a parent/guardian about concerns you may have prior to engaging with the family.

Training and Meetings

To undertake first aid training, fire safety and manual handling, food handling courses, child protection as required

Undertake training to upskill if requested by the Manager.

To attend and participate in staff and management meetings as required.

Training provided for hive, child paths and other management syatems as required.

Parents

To liaise with parents who are the prime carers of the children to keep them informed of the children’s progress and well being

To prepare for and attend parent/teacher meetings out-of hours, if necessary

Food

To encourage good eating habits and personal hygiene

To use break time as a social occasion with the children and sit with them when possible.

Be aware of any dietary requirements and notify all management and staff.

Flexibility

To be flexible in regarding working in our sister preschool in Saggart if the need arises. We are currently growing our service in Newcastle and Saggart and i would love to have an open communication with both services and have joint meetings throughout the year to share ideas and support each other. I would very much love to see each staff member sharing ideas, stories and learning from the month with each other.

Curriculum/Activities

To participate and assist in the planning and implementation of daily instructional and developmental activities for children and have information packs/books/computer images and activities planned for each theme you decide to class need on a particular week.

Provide opportunities for children to learn in an holistic way

To introduce children to the play equipment based on their individual needs

To provide opportunities for self-directed play

Health and Safety

To report any safety hazards/risks to Management immediately. You will have a health and safety book than all incidents are recorded in this book in addition to report forms etc.

To refrain from engaging in any activity that poses a risk to you, other members of staff or children

To have a good knowledge of fire and safety procedures within the service

To maintain a safe, clean and healthy environment

To keep your work space clean and hygienic

To participate in cleaning duties as required

To use equipment/machines according to Management instructions

To maintain a safe and clean outside environment

To maintain a good appearance with attention to uniform, hair, make-up and jewellery in accordance with the terms and conditions as outlined in the Contract of Employment

Administration

To maintain appropriate records and documents in compliance with the Childcare Act, 1991 and the Childcare

(Preschool Services) (No 2) (Amendment) Regulations, 2006. Childcare act 1991 regulations 2016. Records may include the child’s progress, recording observations, accident records, etc

To maintain appropriate records and documents in relation to after school children if working with them.

This is list is not exaustive and changes depending on the requirements of the job and standards and quality of the service.

Member of Staff Team Responsibilities

To be a member of the childcare team engaging with the other members of staff working in the service. Any negative comments and ill talking about any staff or management member will not be tolerated. Positive open communication and respect should be used at all times.

To work in close co-operation with the Manager, and other workers

Ensuring that you respect the rights of the children in the care of the service and their parents

Working as part of a team, fostering good working relationships within the team

Having a neat and tidy appearance.

Support co-workers

Be inclusive and respectful towards your team and managers

Have a positive conflict resolution ability to solve any issues you may have

Share workloads equally between management and staff alike.

Other Duties

To be familiar with all policies and procedures of the service

In conjunction with being a room leader you should train student workers and assist new staff with induction

To adhere to the Child Care (Pre-School Services) Regulations 2006, the Child Care Act 1991, and all other relevant legislation and Regulations.

To adhere to good practice guidelines in relation to working with after school children.

Ensure the safety, security and well being of all children in your care

To carry out the Programme of Activities (for the age range of children) in consultation and as may be as directed by the Manager

To ensure all quality and safety standards are maintained in the service at all times

This job description may be reviewed, updated and/or amended from time to time in line with the needs of and as required by Choice preschool Management.

Personal Specification

Pre-school teacher

Personal attributes

As an early years educator you will be responsible for the following.

Commitment to the delivery of a quality services to children and their families.

Ability to act on own initiative and consult where appropriate.

Ability to work under pressure, make decisions in consultation with the supervisor when appropriate.

To be committed to adhering to best practice in work and be innovative and open to change.

Flexibility and adaptability are essential for this post.

Ability to form objective relationships with children and their parents

Have a fluency in the English language.

Be a team worker

Be willing to participate in further training if required.

Experience

Post qualification experience of working with children aged 2 ½ - 6 years.

Experience of working in partnership with children and their families.

Experience of planning, implementing and reviewing programs with children.

Experience in leading a room or service

Qualifications

A full Level 7 or higher qualification in early years care and education is advantageous. You will be asked to train in other job specific training as part of your employment. You must be familiar with Aistear and Siolta and

Childcare regulations you need longer then this should be discussed with Elaine.

Regardless of your current qualifications, Choice Childcare are very committed to current childcare practices and are always evolving and changing and as a result our staff team will be expected to keep up with current practices and upskill accordingly.

Note: This requirement may change depending on the specific requirements of the job or government specification.

Job Type: Permanent

Pay: €13.65-€16.28 per hour

Expected hours: 17 – 30 per week

Benefits:

Bike to work scheme

Childcare

Company events

Gym membership

On-site parking

Private dental insurance

Private medical insurance

Sick pay

Wellness program

Schedule:

Monday to Friday

No weekends

Supplemental Pay:

Overtime pay

Education:

Advanced/Higher Certificate (required)

Licence/Certification:

FETAC/QQI Level 5 (required)

Work Location: In person

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: €14.00-€16.59 per hour

Expected hours: 40 per week

Benefits:

• Bike to work scheme
• Childcare
• Company events
• Gym membership
• On-site parking
• Private dental insurance
• Private medical insurance
• Sick pay
• Wellness program

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday

Education:

• Advanced/Higher Certificate (preferred)

Licence/Certification:

• FETAC/QQI Level 5 or Level 6 (required)

Work Location: In person

Expected start date: 02/01/2025