Childcare Support Staff/Admin Assistant

Summary

Puyallup Playcare Center is seeking an enthusiastic and reliable support staff member to join our team. This flexible full-time or part-time role involves preparing spaces and materials for the day, assisting with teacher breaks and lunches, and helping implement daily activities and routines. As a non-profit childcare center, we are committed to providing quality, low-cost care in a safe, healthy, and nurturing environment for children.

Duties

Key Duties and Responsibilities

Position Specific:

• Build and maintain positive, respectful relationships with the children and families
• Collaborate with the Lead and co-teachers to create and implement developmentally appropriate, theme-based emergent curriculum honoring the children?s interests and contributions
• Participate in meaningful engaging activities, field trips, and visitors
• Work with the classroom teachers to create and maintain positive and engaging classroom and outdoor environments
• Assume leadership in the classroom teachers? absence, implementing daily routines, tasks and lesson plans as directed
• Follow daily routines of the classroom and assist in keeping things on schedule
• Meet the social and emotional, physical and cognitive needs of each child
• Practice active supervision at all times, implementing name-to-face checks regularly and at each transition
• Practice daily health checks for each child and report concerns to administration
• Share daily updates with families in-person as discussed with the Lead and co-teachers
• Assist in collecting documentation for each child?s Teaching Strategies GOLD profile
• Share anecdotes with classroom teachers to support family conferences
• Serve all meals and snacks following Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) guidelines
• Monitor and adjust for severe allergies and special diet, developmental, and medical needs
• Per classroom teachers' direction rotate materials to reflect current lesson plans and interests
• Complete objective incident reports and communicate occurrences to families thoughtfully after discussion with Lead Teacher and/or a Director
• Substitute in classrooms as needed
• Assist in training new hires by modeling program policies and procedures and sharing position specific information
• Complete tasks on the On-Going Program Maintenance List and other tasks as designated by the Administrative team during open times on individual schedule

General Program:

• Follow all health and safety requirements and guidelines of the Health Department, DCYF and the program including inspecting and replacing damaged or used materials
• Meet and maintain all DCYF licensing requirements for the position
• Adhere to all policies and expectations outlined in the Puyallup Playcare Center Employee Handbook and Family Handbook
• Report suspected maltreatment or abuse of children to DCYF, Child Abuse Hotline or law enforcement
• Complete renewal requirements for the Early Achievers Quality Improvement Program as directed by Administration
• Maintain organized, clean spaces throughout the program including picking up playground and disinfecting toys and surfaces
• Evaluate self and other staff as requested for performance evaluations
• Provide a welcoming atmosphere showing respect for a diverse community and approaching challenges with compassion
• Work collaboratively with all program employees and support a positive work environment
• Greet children, families, visitors and staff and offer assistance as needed
• Communicate updates to replacement staff ensuring smooth transitions between teachers and that all are in the loop before leaving your post
• Maintain confidentiality of all children, families and staff
• Arrive on time for scheduled shifts and breaks; adjust working hours based on the needs of the program as requested by an administrator, including substituting in classrooms
• Drive center vans for field trips, substitute school-age transportation, and emergencies
• Present self in a professional image including attire, attitude, and communication
• Perform and behave as a positive reflection of the program in any public capacity
• Attend and actively participate in regular daytime and evening staff meetings
• Complete regular janitorial duties applicable to the daily schedule including taking out trash, sweeping, mopping, cleaning and sanitizing, and vacuuming.
• Provide quality customer service in a welcoming and supportive environment
• Model a positive attitude, respectful communication, and empathy for others
• Maintain friendly communication with church employees and visitors, respecting shared space and adjusting for special events or requests
• Perform a variety of physically demanding tasks, including but not limited to sitting on the floor, bending, running, walking, standing, balancing, reaching, and active supervision requiring close and distance vision and hearing
• Assume applicable duties when substituting for alternate role (i.e. covering for another teacher in their absence) including their opening or closing duties
• Be flexible and proactive in providing assistance in any capacity as needed to ensure smooth operation and success in the program
• Support in office and complete basic administrative tasks as needed

In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.

Requirements

Pre-Service and Hiring Requirements

• Cleared Background Check through the Department of Children Youth and Families (DCYF)
• TB Test (negative within the last year)
• Minimum Age: 14
• High School Diploma or equivalent

Training Before or Upon Hire

• Child Care Basics
• Child and Adult First Aid and CPR
• Blood Borne Pathogens
• Food Handlers
• Safe Sleep
• Mandated Reporter
• Medication Management
• Emergency & Disaster Preparedness
• Families Experiencing Homelessness
• Abusive Head Trauma
• Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) Civil Rights

Ongoing In-Service Training

• 10-Hour Annual In-Service Training
• Enhancing Quality of Early Learning (EQEL)
• Applicable CACFP Training

Education

• Higher education is encouraged

Other Requirements

• Proof of measles vaccination or immunity
• Valid driver?s license or state identification
• Valid passport or social security card
• Driving record with clearance to transport children
• Maintain up to date MERIT account

Nice To Haves

Experience working with the Reggio Emilia approach to early childhood education

Benefits

• The equivalent of one-half day of sick pay will be earned each pay period and may be used after completion of the 90-day probationary period.
• Vacation will be earned at the rate of one week for the first two years of employment; two weeks for years three and four; three weeks for year five and after, and may be used after the 90-day probationary period
• Paid professional development opportunities
• Free college degree opportunities through Bates Technical College
• Employer paid employee portion of PFML and L&I deductions on payroll