Afternoon Enrichment (Afterschool) Aide

Extended Day Care Aide

Part-Time School: Sacred Heart of Jesus School, Lancaster, PA Grade 11 FLSA Status: Non-Exempt Reports to: Director of Extended Day Care Program Nature of Position: The typical school day does not compute to an adult's typical workday. To fill in the gap of time, some working parents choose to send their kids to an extended school day care program headed by a team of care providers. As the job title implies, their first job is to take care of kids, which can include a number of different activities. Playtime After school is over, school-age kids are usually ready for a little rest, relaxation and fun. One of the main duties for after-school care attendants is planning and supervising activities for kids. This can mean fun play such as arts and crafts, or activities that focus on skills in sports, music or dance. Children in after-school care spend a lot of time outside the home and away from parents, so it's important that during these activities attendants keep a close eye on the kids, watching out for any behavioral or emotional issues they may need to discuss with parents. Snacks Most kids like to eat and they're typically pretty hungry after a long day at school. As such, after-school care providers are often responsible for planning and serving snacks and meals for kids. They may need to prepare food and drinks, clean dishes and put away food. Depending on the environment, providers may also be responsible for getting the kids to help serve and clean up after eating. Schoolwork Some after-care settings are located in schools, and some after-care attendants double as tutors or educational helpers. They may coordinate with teachers to provide additional support for kids outside the classroom, helping with reading, math or other subjects. In other settings, after-school attendants may simply ensure that kids get their homework done. Safety As the responsible adults in the room, after-school attendants need to able to respond to basic emergencies and to look out for children's welfare while in their care. Care attendants are often trained in CPR and basic first aid, which may be required upon hiring or for licensing. Care providers need to be apprised of state laws on child safety procedures and creating a safe environment for children. If kids need to take medications, the care providers also need to know the protocols involved and know how to respond to a health emergency. Logistics Taking care of children's needs is an after-care attendant's first duty -- but she often has other logistical aspects to her job. Attendants may be responsible for setting up and breaking down the care space, especially when the after-care program takes place in a school gym, cafeteria or other space used for different purposes during the day. They may also be responsible for writing daily, weekly or monthly reports of children's behaviors and habits, and communicating that information to parents and educators. Some attendants also keep track of payments, and help schedule the right amount of staff for the number of kids attending the program. Working Conditions: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Duties are normally performed in a school/classroom environment. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. May be required to work outside. Must have the ability to sit and stand for extended periods. Must be able to crouch to a child's height, maintain eye contact at the child's level, sit on the floor, and stand tall enough to reach children on the highest piece of equipment. Must have the ability to safely lift or assist children weighing up to 40 pounds in emergencies only. Potential for exposure to blood-borne pathogens and communicable diseases. Must be able to hear and understand speech at normal classroom levels and in an outdoor environment. Must be able to speak in audible tones so that others may understand clearly in both a normal classroom environment and in an outdoors setting. Qualifications: Must be at least 21 years of age. Must have a High School Diploma or equivalent. Must obtain state and federal background checks and take required trainings for clearances. Must be willing to respect the Catholic Church's teachings on morality.