Early Childhood Co-Educator

AWARD: CHILDRENS SERVIES AWARD 2010

POSITION TYPE: PERMANENT - PART TIME, STAFF WORK A ROTATING SHIFT ROSTER TO COVER THESE HOURS ACCORDINGLY

POSITION CONTEXT

Little yacks Learning Years is a not-for-profit run children's service under the management of Apollo Care Alliance offering a long day care service for children aged between 12 weeks and 5 years of age. Little Yacks Learning Years is an organisation nestled in the beautiful township of Yackandandah. It is positioned in an intergenerational space comprising an aged-care home, Medical Centre, Yach Health Gardens and Little Yacks Learning Years. Our unique experiences for all those who meet under the Yackandandah Health umbrella.

The town has rich history of learning and growing together, we believe we are stronger when we work and support one another. Reciprocal relationships between children, families and educators contribute to children feeling safe, secure and supported, like home, we offer a space of inclusion and belonging.

Position Objective:

• Work as an individual and as part of a team providing quality care and education for the children within a happy, safe and stimulating environment, which incorporates opportunities for the children to develop to their fullest potential.
• Assist in providing and implementing a developmentally appropriate educational programme for children in a play-based environment.
• Demonstrate effective communication skills, flexibility, initiative and autonomy
• To work co-operatively to promote children's wellbeing and self-worth in a safe and caring environment
• To always operate in a professional manner and ensure that Little Yacks service meets the legislative requirements as prescribed under the relevant Acts and Regulations for Children's Services, National Quality Framework, Child Safe Standards and the EYLF. This includes completion of centre checklists, review and read centre policies and document children's data into OWNA app.
• To be familiar with and assist in the implementation of the policies and procedures of Little Yacks Learning Years (LYLY)

Duties and Responsibilities:

CHILDREN

• Ensuring safety is a priority for all children whilst they enjoy the security of a safe and collaborative environment.
• Build trusting positive relationships with all children in your care, recognising the uniqueness of each individual and respecting their rights and dignity as our clients i.e. using their name (not pet names), not talking in front of them in a derogative manner
• Monitor the health and well-being of each child, acting appropriately when a problem is identified, and notifying the Director of any concern.
• Maintain accurate and up to date records of each child i.e. incidents, medication, allergies, observations
• Assist in delivering and implementing quality educational programs responding to children's individual
  
  strengths, interests and developmental needs; following the cycle of planning with reflections and extending on activities provided in the program.
• To interact with and support children based on their developmental needs and individual interests and abilities without biases
• To assist in providing a clean, healthy, safe and welcoming environment both inside and out.
• To assist with the preparation and setting up of activities and learning experiences
• To assist with the supervision of children and ensure they are always adequately supervised
• To attend to the physical needs of all children in your care.
• To be aware of and adhere to the requirements of the National Quality Framework & EYLF.
• Identify and respond to the needs of individual children and their families supporting their needs and diverse cultural beliefs.

PARENTS

• Effectively communicate and liaise with parents about their child's day on a daily basis
• Confer with parents on a regular basis regarding their child's developmental skills and abilities with the guidance of the room leader.
• Provide understanding and support to parents ensuring confidentiality is maintained at all times
• Provide relevant information to parents on the operation of the centre related to our policies and procedures and encourage their participation.

PROGRAMME

• Assist with the daily programme and routines in accordance with the National Quality Standards, centre philosophy and Little Yacks policies and procedures.
• Assist with daily posts, children's observations, setting up experiences that are of interest to the children and extend on experiences and document any changes to experiences on room program.
• To assist with regular visits to Yackandandah Health Intergenerational Program and regular visits to Yack Health Gardens.
• Confer with Educational Leader on a regular basis, seek feedback and direction if needed.
• Provide a caring, flexible and safe environment which will:
  
  -actively encourage the children to be involved in their own learning.
  
  -enhance the individual development of each child.
  
  -encourage play for learning and enjoyment.
  
  -promote interest, imagination, curiosity and creativity.
• In conjunction with other staff, be involved in the organisation and planning of relevant incursions, excursions and centre visitors.
• Warmly acknowledge the arrival and departure of children and their families to and from the centre

ENVIRONMENT

• Maintain a hygienic, safe and stimulating environment both indoors and outdoors through the setting of appropriate limits and follow up actions.
• Execute clear emergency and safety procedures as detailed in the staff manual
• Assist with general duties in the centre e.g. cleaning tasks, washing etc. that form part of the day-to-day duties.
• Keep your room/outdoor environments tidy, free from clutter and reset throughout the day to ensure an inviting play space is available for all children.

TEAM APPROACH

• Involve co- educators, students and volunteers in the daily programme
• Be a positive role model and maintain a professional manner at all times
• Demonstrate and promote a team approach towards quality care and education.
• Attend and participate in staff meetings
• Have active participation in the Centre's National Quality Standards Framework, Q.I.P and Policy reviews.
• Support other team members
• Ask for assistance when required.

PROFESSIONAL ROLE

• Possess a sound knowledge of child development
• Maintain a professional and caring approach and standards at all times
• Attend in-service programs etc. to further your own professional development
• Participate in the centre's staff development and appraisal scheme on a 6 monthly basis.
• Maintain and respect confidentiality of children, families and fellow staff members at all times

Accountability:

• Implementation of the Education and Care Services National Law and Regulations 2011and the Children's Services Act 1996.
• Adherence to the centre philosophy and policies
• Adherence to Chid Safe Standards, National Quality Standards and the Early Years Learning Framework.
• Adherence to the Early Childhood Australia Code of Ethics
• Performance of all duties and responsibilities as detailed in this Position Description

Other Duties:

Complete all other duties that may be requested by the Director from time to time

Pre-requisites:

 -Child Care Qualification being a Children's Services Trainee, LV 3 or LV 4 or equivalent

- Current Working with Children's Check

- Current First Aid Qualifications

- Current Anaphylaxis Management Training

- NDIS Worker Screening Check

- Mandatory Reporting (yearly)

- DoFoodSafely

Selection Criteria:

-Sound knowledge and understanding of early childhood development, program planning and the Early

Years Learning Framework and Child Safe Standards.

-Knowledge and understanding of the emotional needs of children.

-Knowledge, understanding and the ability to meet the requirements of the National Quality Standards.

-Ability to work co-operatively in a team environment.

-Ability to communicate effectively with parents, children and fellow team members.

-Ability to accept responsibility and adapt to changing situations.

-Commitment to ongoing professional development.

-Working knowledge of the Education and Care Services National Law and Regulations 2011 and the

Children's Services Act 1996.

-Some experience within Children's Centres would be desirable.

Interested? We would love to hear from you Apply Now

To learn more about us visit:  OR email

Thank you for your consideration. We look forward to hearing from you.