Early Childhood Assistant

The Children's Garden is seeking to employ a Certificate III or Diploma qualified assistant to work in our prestigious preschool.

The position entails providing education and care to children aged between 0-5 years. Filling this position requires a detailed understanding of the National Quality Framework, and Early Years Learning Framework, as well as an advanced understanding of the multiple facets of development in the early years.

This role includes supporting your team and children in implementing our state of the art educational programme. You will be responsible for managing children's routines in collaboration with your team leadership and ensuring that the daily needs of the children you work closely with are met.

Job tasks and responsibilities

1. You must have a warm, smiling face that makes every child feel special and loved.

2. You must be able to laugh at jokes that you don't understand, or you don't find funny. Child humour can be a confusing minefield to navigate.

3. You will have a little bit of quirkiness. If a child asks you to be the captain of a pirate ship, you will be the best pirate captain you can be.

4. You must feel comfortable telling everybody in the room that you are going to use the bathroom.

5. The ability to sing in tune is not necessary. The ability to sing out of tune to a crowd is essential.

6. A high level of multitasking is essential. Must be comfortable with a 5 minute job taking an hour.

7. You must be able to distribute hugs, as required.

8. The ability to rapidly count the heads of numerous moving small people is of utmost importance.

9. Must be comfortable being seen on the way home with unknown substances on your clothing.

10. Must be comfortable talking about bodily functions. A strong sense of smell is required to enable you to respond swiftly to said bodily functions.

11. You should not be averse to environments that at times resembles the aftermath of a tornado.

12. Pretending to realistically eat play-dough creations is required – a skill that develops with experience.

13. You must be able to remain focused in environments with high noise levels.

14. The ability to remember the names of 30+ children, their parents, siblings, grandparents, pets and special toys is a key component of this job.

15. You must feel comfortable sitting on furniture that does not contain all of your behind.

16. A high level of comfort with being asked personal questions is essential. Questions may include: What you are having for lunch? Can we share? Are you married? Why? Where are you going? (as you walk to the toilet) and What did you do there?

17. You must have an understanding that the small people you have a strong relationship with during the week, may utterly refuse to acknowledge you at the store. Your feelings must not easily be hurt.

18. You must have the ability to read a 10 page fairytale with at least one interruption per page.

19. Showing a curiosity and interest in creepy crawlies is essential, even if they are your biggest fear.

20. You must be prepared for a lot of fun in the workplace. Laughter is something you can expect to engage in for a large part of your working day.

21. Finally, you must be prepared to feel loved, special, and important to many young children and their families. There is simply no other job like this one.

Skills and experience

In order to be considered suitable for the position, we require a Bachelor in Early Childhood Education. A valid Working with Children Check, first aid, asthma, and anaphylaxis certificates, and entitlement to work in Australia legally are all necessary requirements for the position.

Job benefits and perks

Accepting an offer to join us at The Children's Garden is accepting an opportunity to cooperate with great staff, admirable children, and wonderful parents at the best nature-based learning centre in Perth.

Purpose of role

The purpose of your role is to assist in the implementation of learning programmes, working with Early Childhood Educators and Educational Leader.

Core objectives include:

Main duties and responsibilities

• Learning and implementing the policies, procedures and
• routines of the centre;
• Learning how to establish relationships and interact with
• children;
• Learning the basic skills required to work in this environment
• with children;
• Giving each child individual attention and comfort as required;
• Basic duties including food preparation, cleaning and gardening.

After 12 months:

• Assist in the implementation of the children's program under supervision;
• Assist in the implementation of daily care routines;
• Develop awareness of, and assist in, maintenance of health and safety of the children in the centre;
• Give each child individual attention and comfort as required;
• Understand and work according to the centre's policies and procedures;
• Demonstrate knowledge of hygienic handling of food and equipment.

The above list is not exhaustive and the role may change to meet the overall objectives of the company.

Other duties Fulfil other duties as required by management and other department personnel as requested/required.

Qualifications

• Minimum of working towards an AQF Level 3 qualification in ECEC for the first 12 months, and a minimum of an AQF level 3 qualification thereafter.

Experience

• Experience participating in a professional working environment, and documenting the education and development of children.
• Experience cooperating with parents on a daily basis.

Knowledge

• We require that you have a basic understanding of developmental psychology in the formative years, as well as a clear understanding of the Australian National Quality Framework and the Early Years Learning Framework, and the practice of leading children's development.

Skills & competencies

• Customer service focused: committed to providing exceptional customer service across all channels – written, phone and face to face.
• Communication: the ability to communicate clearly and concisely, varying communication style depending upon the audience.
• Attention to detail: excellent attention to detail and written skills when communicating with others, both internally and externally.
• Commerciality: ability to apply knowledge in a practical, commercial manner.
• Teamwork: willingness to assist and support others as required and get on with team members.
• Time management/organisation : accomplish objectives effectively within time frame given, and carry out administrative duties within portfolio in an efficient and timely manner.

Personal attributes Professional approach.

• Ability to work under pressure.
• Organisational and time management skills.
• Excellent attention to detail.
• Confident manner.
• Positive approach to change.

Other

• You may be required to work at multiple sites.
• Police clearance checks are necessary.
• This job description serves to illustrate the scope and responsibilities of the post and is not intended to be an exhaustive list of duties. You will be expected to perform other job related tasks requested by management and as necessitated by the development of this role and the development of the business.

Job Types: Full-time, Part-time

Pay: $25.00 – $40.00 per hour

Benefits:

• Professional development assistance
• Work from home

Ability to commute/relocate:

• Melville WA: Reliably commute or planning to relocate before starting work (Required)

Education:

• Certificate I - IV (Preferred)

Experience:

• Teaching Assistant: 1 year (Preferred)

Work Authorisation:

• Australia (Preferred)

Work Location: In person