Childcare Assistant

The overall policies and procedures of the playgroup will be laid down by the Senior manager to whom the Floor Manager is responsible. The playgroup assistant is firstly responsible to the Floor Manager, second to the Senior Manager, Third to the committee.

The assistant should support the Floor Manager in ensuring that there is a safe, caring and welcoming environment for children and their families.

In order to achieve this, this assistant will:

• Help ensure that the playroom is appropriately laid out before the session commences and is tidied up after the session end. The assistant also help to ensure good standards of hygiene are followed and that the equipment is safe and regularly checked as recommended in DHSSPS guidelines.

• Attend and participate in all staff meetings and assist in planning and preparation so that the activities offered throughout the session allow the children to experience the full breadth of the curriculum as laid down in Department of education guidance for Pre-School Education.

• Carry out regular observations and make an assessment of each child’s needs within the group and plan daily to meet these needs.

• Help provide and take part in all the groups activities.

• Take part in special events and group outings.

• Encourage parental involvement.

• Listen to, encourage, enable and stimulate the children and ensure their safekeeping.

• Attend relevant meetings and courses as directed by the Senior Manager. Course fees may be considered by the management for approved training.

• Advise the Floor Manager of any matter requiring attention. Such as concerns about a child or equipment needing repair/replacement.

• Keep strictly confidential and personal information regarding the children, their families or other staff learnt as part of the job. Such information must not be passed on unless it is in the interest of the child. The assistant will then approach the Floor Manager with the information. Only if she/he feels the Floor manager is not taking adequate action should the assistant take the matter further to Senior Manager, committee chair or EARLY YEARS advisor.