The Child Care Worker is responsible for providing childcare in a setting that is safe, humane and engaging for children up to 10 years of age whose parent(s)/guardian(s) are participating in the Healthy Families/Healthy Children program.

Specific Tasks and Responsibilities:

• Create and maintain safe, engaging, and healthy childcare services and activities for children up to 10 years of age.

• Foster children’s social, emotional, cognitive and physical development and respect their dignity and their contributions.

• Ensure that each child’s culture, language, ethnicity and family structure are recognized and valued in the process of their care.

• Deliver age-appropriate educational activities to foster learning while providing an overall safe environment for children.

• Identify any potential safety risks and act quickly to alleviate potential safety issues.

• Report and document any issues of concern to the Administrative Coordinator and/or Program Director for follow-up.

• Communicate any shortage of materials to the Administrative Coordinator to ensure adequate materials are available to deliver quality childcare services.

• Assist with checking in participants and program documentation and reporting, as required.

• Be available and responsive to the children, encouraging their active involvement.

• Initiate activities and discussions to build positive self-identity and teach the value of differences.

• Utilize positive techniques of guidance.

• Utilize logical or natural consequences applied in problem situations.

• Facilitate room set-up/break-down and set-up of food to be served.

• Serve food to clients prior to classes and prior to the beginning of childcare services.

• Prepare/distribute light, nutritious snacks for children, as needed.

• Ensure that rooms are cleaned and in functioning condition prior to and after food services and childcare services.

Education/Qualifications:

• High school diploma and a minimum of two years of childcare experience.

• Current CPR and First Aid certification (training will be provided).

• Culturally and linguistically competent relevant to the participants of the program.

• Familiarity with the risk factors for and symptoms of child abuse and neglect, including physical, sexual, verbal and emotional abuse, as well as physical, emotional, educational and medical neglect (training will be provided). Willingness to report suspected abuse to Supervisor.

Physical Requirements:

Must be able to lift 25 pounds, freely sit or be on feet for extended periods of time and reach objects overhead.

Required Skills:

• Ability to recognize and respect the unique qualities, abilities and potential of each child.

• Ability to create and maintain safe and healthy settings that foster children’s social, emotional, cognitive and physical development.

• Ability to positively engage children up to the age of 10 who may need childcare assistance.

• Ability to plan and deliver meaningful, age-appropriate activities for children.

• Ability to report and document any unusual condition(s) and incidents.

• Sensitivity to service populations and socio-economic issues.

Training Requirements:

• Attend all JFCS mandatory trainings, including Orientation and all trainings due within the first 6 months of hire.

• Obtain all annual JFCS required trainings related to COA standards, HIPAA, Security Awareness, etc.

• Must complete training in child maltreatment, First Aid and CPR.

• Orientation to childcare manual and documents used by Child Care Assistants.