Childcare Assistant

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Communicate effectively and work directly with Child Care Site Coordinators and Child Care Leads.
• Assists in the supervision of children at all times, support program and the site compliance with State Licensing Standards and YMCA guidelines.
• Assists with implementation of curriculum which meets the needs of every child, including those with disabilities. Provide direction and leadership for the children within the programs.
• Nurtures children though purposeful programming dedicated to building achievement and belonging and relationships among youth and within families.
• Cultivates positive relationships and maintains effective communication with parents and guardians.
• Help maintain site and equipment, including properly implementing proper cleaning procedures and upkeep of equipment. Inspects facilities and program areas evaluating safety and compliance with standards and procedures. Reports areas of risk and makes suggestions to reduce risk.
• Follow the guidelines, policies, and procedures, including those related to medical and disciplinary situations, Child Abuse Prevention, and emergencies, in the YMCA Staff and Parent Handbooks, and Employee Handbook. Complete all required forms daily and monthly.
• Models relationship-building skills and encourages leadership by example in all interactions utilizing the Y’s core character values.

OTHER POSITION FUNCTIONS:

• Assists with coordinated efforts of the staff team to ensure the security of the offsite program location in order to protect the safety of the members, participants, staff and the public.
• Maintains collaborative relationships with community organizations.
• Attends and participate staff meetings, training, and special activities.
• Participates in STARS continuing education and complete required ongoing trainings as required by the Y including but not limited to Child Abuse Prevention training.
• Responds to emergency situations.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

WORK ENVIRONMENT & PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to work with and supervise children in a highly active environment and must be able to quickly move and respond to developing issues during a majority of each work day.

• Sufficient strength, agility and mobility to perform essential functions and to supervise program activities in a wide variety of indoor and outdoor locations (depending upon the programs). The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.

• Regularly required to talk or hear. Frequently required to stand; walk; use hands to finger handle or feel and reach with hands and arms. Must be able to run with children during physical activities.

• All responsibilities of this position occur at a child care site during school age children’s time out of school including before and after regular school hours and during school vacations/breaks and summer.

• Respond to emergency situations throughout a multi-story building, remote locations, and varying terrain.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Applicants must be 16 years of age
• Complete basic STARS training within three months of assuming the position and complete on going hours of training required by State Licensing and the Y.
• Have or commit to obtaining current CPR, First Aid certifications and Food Handlers.
• Have TB test as required under Washington Law.
• Complete and maintain annual blood borne pathogen training.
• Ability to plan, organize and implement age appropriate/ developmentally appropriate activities.
• Ability to relate effectively to diverse groups of people from all social and economic segments of the community.
• Criminal background clearance that meet the State Licensing standards.

POSITION SUMMARY:

This position supports the work of the Y, a leading nonprofit committed to strengthening community through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. This role supports Site Coordinators and Child Care Leads in the delivery of high quality licensed after school childcare. Provides leadership and direction for children ages 5-12 years old and assists with age appropriate activity planning and implementation.

The licensed school age child care programs are operated within the Eastmont, Wenatchee, and Cashmere School Districts.