CHILD CARE ASSISTANT (FT)

DEPARTMENT: Seedling Center

REPORTS TO: Seedling Center Director

JOB SUMMARY

Responsible for the general care and welfare of children, ages birth through 11.

JOB REQUIREMENTS

AAS in Early Childhood Education or Child Development Associate preferred. Comparable STARS training or college credits in Early Childhood will be considered. Employees who do not meet these mentioned education credentials at the time of hire may be required to enroll in Pathways, the Child Development Credential program, or relevant Early Childhood Education courses at the college level. Must pass fingerprint clearance test and Department of Family Services background check.

EXPERIENCE

Minimum of 21 years of age, and a minimum of 1-year experience working with children under the age of 6 preferred. Previous experience in a licensed child care setting is preferred.

SKILLS

Must have the ability to work well with children, parents, staff, and the community. Must be able to manage multiple tasks, sometimes under pressure, with calmness and patience. Must be able to stoop, bend down to eye level with children, and stand for long periods of time while carrying or holding children. Must be able to safely lift heavy items weighing 25 pounds or over 25 up to 50 pounds with assistance.

REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONS

BLS, First Aid Certification required within 60 days of employment and maintained while employed. Valid driver’s license preferred.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Establishes positive personal relationships with children. Child Care Assistant is alert, and responds to children’s differing needs, interests, styles, and abilities through listening, conversations, play, and nurturing.
• Provides children with a rich variety of experiences, projects, materials, problems, and ideas to explore and investigate. Child Care Assistant organizes the environment, plans activities appropriate for the curriculum and utilizes age-appropriate teaching strategies.
• Facilitates the development of social skills, self-control, and self-regulation in children by using positive guidance techniques.
• Performs or assists children in routines such as feeding, diapering, bathroom duties, hand washing, and naptime procedures.
• Works in partnership with parents, communicating daily to build mutual understanding and trust to ensure the welfare and optimal development of each child.
• Ensures the health and safety of children by adhering to all state, hospital, and departmental regulations, and fire and sanitation codes.
• Prepares and serves healthy, nutritious snacks and meals.
• Participates in maintaining records.
• Keeps a neat, orderly, and appealing environment and participates in light housekeeping responsibilities.
• Increases knowledge base by participating in state, hospital, and department sponsored continuing education, and departmental staff meetings.
• Qualified and able to accept responsibility to act in the absence of the Director, if so assigned.
• Assures provision of quality customer service consistent with the Mission, Vision, and Key Values of Cody Regional Health, and the organization’s Planetree philosophy.

SECONDARY FUNCTIONS

• Attends various facility meetings and special events.
• Responsible for the oversight of special projects or events, as assigned