Childcare Assistant

Location: Kidz Lodge, Magherafelt Women’s Group Daycare, Magherafelt

Salary: £13.45 per hour

Contract: Permanent, subject to probation

Hours: Full-time and part-time opportunities available

About the Organisation

Charity Jobs NI is delighted to be supporting Magherafelt Women’s Group in the recruitment of Childcare Assistants for Kidz Lodge, its childcare service in Magherafelt.

An award-winning daycare centre and proud Gold Centre of Excellence recognised by the Early Years Organisation, Kidz Lodge is committed to delivering the highest standards of childcare and early years education within a safe, nurturing and stimulating environment.

Its dedicated team supports every child’s individual development and wellbeing through high-quality care, professional practice and positive partnerships with families.

The Role

The Childcare Assistant will support the delivery of high-quality childcare and early learning at Kidz Lodge, helping to create a safe, caring and inclusive environment where children can learn, develop and thrive.

Working as part of the childcare team and reporting to the Childcare Manager and Deputy Manager, the successful candidate will support play-based activities, daily routines and children’s individual needs. They will also build positive relationships with parents and carers and contribute to safeguarding, health and safety and the smooth running of the daycare.

This opportunity may suit candidates with experience as an Early Years Assistant, Nursery Assistant, Nursery Practitioner, Early Years Practitioner, Preschool Assistant or Childcare Practitioner.

Key Responsibilities

Support the delivery of a high-quality early years programme in line with the organisation’s policies and procedures.
Help plan and deliver age-appropriate, play-based activities that support children’s physical, emotional, social and intellectual development.
Promote positive behaviour and support children’s emotional wellbeing.
Assist with mealtimes, personal care, toileting and hygiene routines, ensuring children are appropriately supervised at all times.
Follow safeguarding procedures and report concerns in line with organisational policy.
Help maintain a safe, clean and welcoming environment, following health and safety, infection control and emergency procedures.
Work collaboratively with colleagues and develop positive relationships with parents and carers, communicating appropriately about children’s needs and progress.
Assist with observations, attendance records and other documentation, contributing to the monitoring of children’s learning and development.
Maintain confidentiality and professional boundaries.
Participate in staff meetings, supervision, training and ongoing professional development, contributing ideas to improve the service.

About You

Kidz Lodge is looking for a warm, caring and approachable person who enjoys supporting children’s development and can contribute positively to a childcare team.

Essential Criteria

A Level 2 qualification or above in Early Years, Childcare or a related field recognised within Northern Ireland, with a willingness to work towards Level 3.
A willingness to undertake further training and professional development.
Basic safeguarding awareness training, or a willingness to complete this training.
At least one year’s experience working with children in an early years, childcare, preschool, daycare or similar setting.
Experience supporting children’s learning and development through play and working as part of a team.
An understanding of child development and the importance of play-based learning.
Awareness of safeguarding and child protection responsibilities.
Good communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build positive relationships with children, families and colleagues.
Basic literacy, numeracy and IT skills.
A caring, patient and professional approach, alongside reliability, flexibility and punctuality.
A commitment to high-quality, child-centred practice, with the ability to use initiative, work effectively within a team and maintain a positive attitude towards learning.

Desirable Criteria

The following would be advantageous:

A Level 3 qualification in Early Years or Childcare.
Paediatric First Aid training.
Safeguarding or child protection training.
Experience working in a daycare or registered childcare setting.
Experience supporting children with additional needs.
Knowledge of early years frameworks and childcare standards within Northern Ireland.
An understanding of inclusive practice and equality of opportunity.
The ability to work flexible hours in line with service needs.

Benefits

28 days’ annual leave, including statutory holidays, pro rata for part-time staff.
3% pension contribution.
Opportunities to participate in ongoing training and professional development.

How to Apply

If you’re passionate about supporting children’s learning, development and wellbeing within a caring daycare environment, we’d love to hear from you.

Simply apply now with your CV to register your interest. A member of the Charity Jobs NI team will be in touch to discuss your application and guide you through the next steps of the process.

This post is subject to an Access NI Enhanced check.

Charity Jobs NI is delighted to be supporting Magherafelt Women’s Group with this recruitment for Kidz Lodge.

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Childcare Assistant