Timeless Play Facilitator

**_Do you want to make a meaningful difference in the lives of Older Australians and Children?_**
- Casual positions offering approximately 4.5 hours per week
- A position is available in the Mayfield Area and also in the Penshurst Area

**Our Vision **at Playgroup NSW is to positively impact every NSW child, their family and community in the first 2,000 days of life.

**Our Purpose **is to lead play-based programs and services for NSW families with children birth to school age, offering development, shared experiences, and family support, that results in active citizens and inclusive communities.

**Our Values** are to:
**_ Be child centric_**: Children are at the heart of our work.

**_ Lead change_**: Seek and encourage learning, innovation, and greater positive impact.

**_ Act with integrity_**_:_ Be honest, accountable and show respect.

**_ Work smart, play often_**_:_ Be goal focused, mindful of people's wellbeing and enjoy work.

Playgroup NSW (PGNSW) is driven by these values, demonstrates them in our work and in our relationships and encourages them across our membership and in all our activities.

The Timeless Play facilitator will coordinate playgroups to support Older Australians to connect with children and their families in their local communities. The facilitator must set up the environment and support older Australians, families, and their children throughout the session by leading planned activities that encourage all participants to engage with each other, form friendships, and develop communication skills.

**About the Role (**_tasks include but not limited to)_**

**Quality & Service Delivery**
- Develop a playgroup environment for all generations that is comfortable and inviting
- Ensure group session plans are developed and sessions run efficiently and effectively
- Interact positively with all participants including adults and children and encourage participation each week
- Support children’s development where appropriate with planning relevant activities and modelling best practice of parents
- Support all generations to form relationships within the program
- Modify the program accordingly for mobility and space issues.

**Compliance & Continuous Improvement**
- Ensure that aged care residents have support workers with them at all times.
- Support the Program Lead to ensure playgroups comply with all relevant legislation, funding contracts and reporting requirements
- Ensure playgroups and stakeholders involved comply with Child Protection requirements at all times
- Ensure the regular upkeep of data and actions as required as well as ensuring all reports are submitted by due date
- Identify, evaluate, and make recommendations for quality improvement initiatives
- Work towards achieving KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) set by Programs Lead and provide data to assist in reporting by allocated deadlines

**Financial**
- Support Programs Lead to obtain any related reporting information as requested

**People**
- Develop and maintain effective communication and professional relationships with children, families, team members, critical stakeholders, and facilities
- Liaise with local community services and aged care services to build local community relationships
- Communicate effectively and efficiently with Playgroup NSW Head office team when required
- Follow guidelines set out by the Aged Care Facility
- Maintain a respectful and valued relationship between the aged care facility and Playgroup NSW

**About You**

**Qualifications**
- Degree/Diploma in a relevant field in Community Services, Volunteer Engagement and/or Early Childhood Education and Care
- Working with Children Check and National Criminal History Check

**Skills**
- Demonstrated skills in providing professional written documentation as well as use of Microsoft office suite
- Effective communication, interpersonal and networking skills

**Experience**
- Practical knowledge and Understanding of Early Childhood Pedagogy and Practice
- Strong knowledge of intergenerational programs and their importance
- Demonstrated practical experience in delivering quality programs and services
- Ability to operate a playgroup session alongside residents, families, and children within an aged care facility
- Practical experience working in a fast paced, professional environment and ability to prioritise competing tasks as required
- Demonstrated experience in networking with external stakeholders
- Experience working in a Community Service or other related organisation is desirable
- Knowledge or experience working or volunteering with Older Australians is desirable.