Childcare Worker

About SVP

SVP is a large, national voluntary organisation with extensive experience of working with a diverse range of people who experience poverty and exclusion. Through its network of volunteers and employees, it is strongly committed to working for social justice and advocates the creation of a more just and caring society.

SVP is an equal opportunity employer committed to treating all individuals with dignity and respect. We are dedicated to protecting everyone we encounter from all forms of harm, abuse, neglect and exploitation, in accordance with Irish equality legislation. All employees are expected to adhere to SVP's Dignity & Respect and Safeguarding policies, including those pertaining to children and vulnerable adults.

The founder of the Society, Blessed Frederick Ozanam, was a devout Christian and his legacy of spirituality remains a key element of the make-up of every Conference within the Society. It is normal practice within the Society that prayers are said at the beginning and end of Conference meetings or at other meetings where members are in attendance, as this underpins the ethos of the Society. You are not required to take part.

Purpose of the Role

The purpose of the Childcare Worker role is to provide high-quality early childhood care and education while ensuring a safe, secure and nurturing environment for all children. Working closely with Senior Childcare Workers, Managers and other team members, the Childcare Worker plays a key role in supporting individual children and promoting their overall well-being.

The role involves assisting in the planning and implementation of age-appropriate, stimulating activities that foster each child's natural development, in line with Síolta, the National Quality Framework for Early Childhood Education, and Aistear, the National Curriculum Framework. All duties are carried out in accordance with the policies and procedures of St. Joseph's Childcare Centre and relevant regulatory standards to ensure the highest level of care and safety.

Guidance and Authority

The post holder is expected to operate with considerable autonomy, referring matters to their line manager when:

• Significant resistance is encountered in implementing good practices or policies.
• Actions may place stakeholders such as children, vulnerable adults, scheme participants, volunteers or the Society's reputation at risk.
• Decisions could substantially impact the workload of others.

Principal Accountabilities

The role holder will be responsible for:

Compliance with Policies and Procedures, Childcare Legislation and Best Practice

• Ensure policies and procedures are complied with in line with legislation and internal policy.
• Assist with delivery and implementation of policies in consultation with the Manager.

Care and Wellbeing of Children

• Provide a safe and secure environment for children.
• Design activities and routines to meet the needs and interests of each child.
• Implement and evaluate daily routines with staff to encourage holistic child development.
• Be attentive to children in your care and address issues as they arise.
• Report child protection concerns to the Senior Childcare Worker, Management or Designated Liaison Person.
• Adhere to Child Protection Guidelines and safeguarding policies.
• Communicate with children at their level.
• Use positive strategies for managing challenging behaviour.
• Maintain a safe sleep environment and carry out planned and unplanned observations.
• Provide personal care when necessary (e.g. nappy changing, toileting and washing).

Relationship Building and Teamwork

• Work as part of a team with dignity and respect.
• Support, motivate and encourage team members.
• Be fair and confidential when handling issues and concerns.
• Maintain positive relationships with colleagues, children and parents.
• Work collaboratively with staff and management to develop and implement the curriculum (Aistear and Síolta frameworks).
• Contribute to teamwork by liaising constructively and supporting colleagues.
• Participate in team tasks, including meetings, events, outings and fire drills.

Daily Classroom Activities

• Follow the childcare programme and good practice guidelines (Aistear and Síolta).
• Use initiative and liaise with colleagues, senior staff and management for support.
• Engage children with play equipment suited to their needs.
• Provide opportunities for self-directed and holistic learning.
• Link curriculum and activities to the Aistear framework.
• Support preparation and delivery of educational activities, games and outdoor play.
• Ensure classrooms are clean and tidy at the end of each day.
• Keep records and attendance up to date.
• Be proactive in problem-solving and support children's emergent interests.
• Encourage children's confidence, self-esteem and overall development.

Working with Parents and Families

• Create a welcoming atmosphere for parents.
• Inform parents of centre policies and procedures.
• Address parents' concerns appropriately.
• Promote children's holistic growth (physical, emotional, social, intellectual and language development).
• Greet parents and children warmly and professionally.
• Keep parents informed of children's progress and wellbeing.
• Refer complaints to the Senior Childcare Worker.
• Attend parent evenings as required.
• Support families from diverse ethnic backgrounds.
• Recognise parents as primary educators and work in partnership with them.

Administration

• Maintain childcare records with other staff.
• Ensure compliance with the Child Care Act 1991 (Early Years Services) Regulations 2016.
• Keep progress notes, observations, accident records, attendance records, nappy logs, sleep logs and other required documentation up to date.

Training and Meetings

• Undertake mandatory training, including:
• Be available for staff training and supervision.
• Attend all staff meetings and planning sessions.

Children's Mealtimes

• Encourage good eating habits and personal hygiene.
• Promote self-feeding where appropriate.
• Use mealtimes as enjoyable social occasions.

Health and Safety Compliance

• Adhere to procedures outlined in the Safety Statement.
• Report safety hazards to senior staff or management.
• Maintain a safe, clean and healthy environment.
• Maintain personal appearance in line with employment terms.
• Ensure high hygiene standards.
• Be fully conversant with fire and health and safety policies.
• Have knowledge of First Aid.
• Know designated officers and reporting procedures.
• Avoid activities that pose risks to yourself, staff or children.
• Maintain quality and safety standards in line with the Síolta framework.

Communication

• Communicate frequently with team members, management and parents.
• Speak in a professional, accurate and straightforward manner.
• Follow the staff Code of Conduct and centre policies.

Safeguarding

• Follow SVP safeguarding policies and procedures.
• Maintain awareness of best practices for safeguarding children and vulnerable adults.

Other Duties

• Attend supervision sessions with the Senior Childcare Worker.
• Commit to continuous improvement in childcare practice.
• Be flexible, creative and committed in supporting the programme.
• Support policies and procedures in line with the Child Care Act and relevant regulations.
• Ensure adherence to quality and safety standards (Síolta framework).
• Perform additional duties as requested by management.

Challenges

There are a number of challenges in this role, largely determined by the scale, complexity, voluntary nature and high levels of local autonomy within the Society.

• Ensuring confidentiality at all times.
• Ensuring a friendly and supportive atmosphere at all times.

Other Information

In addition to the duties and responsibilities listed above, the job holder may be required from time to time to perform other duties as deemed reasonable and necessary by the employer.

The job holder may also be required from time to time to work or attend training or meetings at another location. As much notice as is reasonably practicable will be given of any such requirement or change.

Employees are responsible for notifying their manager in writing of any statutory rest period or break to which they were entitled but were unable to take on a particular occasion, together with the reason for not taking such rest period or break, within one week.

Education, Experience, Knowledge and Skills RequiredQualifications

• Minimum FETAC Level 5 in Childcare or Early Years Education is essential.
• FETAC Level 6 in Childcare or Early Years Education is desirable.

Experience

• Minimum of one year of experience in a relevant childcare role is essential.

Knowledge

• Knowledge of the Society and its mission and values.
• Knowledge of the needs and issues affecting people experiencing poverty and disadvantage.
• Knowledge of Aistear, Síolta, Better Start programmes and AIM.
• Good knowledge of the underlying principles of early years education and after-school care.

Skills

• Strong team player who enjoys working with children.
• Ability to use initiative.
• Enthusiasm and genuine interest in supporting and empowering young children and their families.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Excellent listening and supportive skills.
• Patient, with a well-developed sense of humour.
• Child-centred approach to activities, demonstrating imagination and creativity in delivering programmes.

Personal Attributes

• Honest and trustworthy.
• Respectful.
• Flexible.
• Demonstrates sound work ethics.
• Maintains confidentiality.

Salary

€30,030 per annum