Childcare Worker

Mission Contribution:

Strengthens families by providing a safe and nurturing environment for children.

Function:

To provide basic care, special instruction and educational services to children enrolled in Child Development Center or participating in Family Support Services at the CDC.

Essential Functions: (must be able to perform these functions, with or without a reasonable accommodation)

• Provides care, protection and supervision of children at all times.
• Prepare, serve, and assist children in feeding of snacks and lunch, if appropriate during that shift.
• Changes diapers and helps potty train and assists children when using the bathroom, following proper procedures and precautions to guard against the spread of germs and disease.
• Develops and implements or follows a daily schedule that reflects rest, leisure and learning time, appropriate to meet the individual needs of the assigned children.
• Maintains clean and orderly classroom and diaper-changing area (including daily sweeping/mopping/vacuuming, disinfecting tables, chairs, toys, potty chairs, changing table, washing dishes/utensils, emptying trash and diaper pail and other cleaning duties as needed).
• Adheres to guidelines described in program manual regulating the minimum standard for child care centers.
• Assists, guides and directly interacts with children during free play and playground opportunities, as well as during other more structured group activities.
• Uses appropriate behavior management techniques with children.
• Follows assigned schedule for weekly cleaning of bathroom and preparing linen for laundry.
• Follows proper opening and/or closing procedures if assigned to open or close.
• Maintains clear communication with parents and program staff as appropriate, including, but not limited to the completion of daily reports on all assigned children.
• Ensures confidentiality of information concerning the children and children's families.
• Offers every child physical affection, verbal praise and acceptance to promote a strong, healthy, self-image for every child.
• Attends all staff meetings and in-service training as scheduled by director.
• Stays informed of program information by reading daily news, minutes of staff meeting, monthly newsletters and other memos distributed through the center and main office.
• Acts as a positive role model for employees and students in all aspects of professional performance.
• Observes all safety procedures and personnel policies and ensures compliance by employees and students.
• Regular attendance as outlined in Goodwills policy is required.

Skills, knowledge, and abilities: (required to enable job holder to perform the essential functions of the job)

• Must be able to market Goodwill and explain the mission to the general public.
• Must be able to keep information confidential.
• Must be able to read, write and communicate clearly in English.
• Must be able to maintain an effective working relationship with team members and coworkers and be able to interact with a variety of people.
• Ability to function in a hectic work environment with occasional periods of high stress.
• Must obtain CPR certification and food handlers permit annually, and other training requirements in accordance with DHR personnel standards for licensed childcare centers.

Experience and Education Requirements:

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Experience with children with special needs and/or group child care settings required.

Physical Requirements:

• Must be able to stand, bend, sit on the floor, stoop, walk, talk, hear, use hands to grip, and reach with arms, and carry items weighing up to 40 lbs.
• Must be able to occasionally spend 2 to 4 hours a day in strenuous physical activity.

Critical Performance Factors:

• Respects the individuality of each child and shows sensitivity to, and acceptance of, each child's feelings and needs.
• Provides attentive supervision of children at all times and ensures that an authorized adult is always present.
• Ensures that children experience a nurturing environment and learning activities are developmentally appropriate and engaging.
• Implements a positive approach to behavior management which includes setting simple, clear and consistent guidelines for behavior while providing assistance and support.
• Is knowledgeable of the Department of Human Resources Minimum Standards for daycare centers and complies with guidelines.
• Respectfully and clearly communicates pertinent information to co-workers, parents, and service providers on a daily and/or weekly basis.
• Maintains integrity at all times by immediately reporting suspicions of child abuse or neglect, coworker inappropriate conduct, and all other instances of behavior deemed unacceptable within Goodwills Children and Family Services Policies.

Working Conditions:

This work will be performed in a pre-school classroom setting, requiring walking, standing, bending and carrying of items weighing up to 40 lbs. At times while performing the duties of the job, the employee will be required to sit on the floor, stand, stoop, bend, walk, talk, hear, use hands to grip, type, and reach with arms. Occasionally spend 2 to 4 hours a day in strenuous physical activity.