Daycare Assistant

Daycare Assistant

Catholic Diocese of Grand Rapids Schools West Catholic High School - Grand Rapids, Michigan

Job Description

Daycare Assistant Part-time: 5-10 hours per week (during the school day) Hourly/Non-Exempt Summary: The Daycare Assistant will assist the Daycare Lead in caring for and assessing the needs of children in the West Catholic Daycare Center throughout the day. Duties and Responsibilities: -Responsible for providing a clean and healthy environment for children and staff -Setting up activities and cleaning up after activities have been completed -Participates in the planning of daily schedules, activities, and special events with the Daycare Lead -Changing clothes, diapers, and cleaning up after accidents -Preparing children for snack, meals, and transition times -Assisting the Daycare Lead as needed with duties such as: discarding, sorting, and replacing toys and equipment, making suggestions that are helpful and supportive to the Daycare Lead, decorating bulletin boards, routine filing, cleaning tasks, etc. -Contributing to the program by telling or reading stories, planning group experiences, craft, or projects -Ensures proper care in the use and maintenance of equipment and supplies; promotes continuous improvement of workplace safety and environmental practices -Assists in on-the-job training of new staff on routine procedures -Being attentive to health, sanitation, nutrition, and safety -Dressing and conducting oneself in a professional manner -Sit with and supervise children at mealtimes -Friendly and courteous to parents during any interactions -Open to continual professional development, both in and out of school -Work as a disciple of the Catholic faith and uphold values in word and action

Job Qualifications and Requirements: -High School diploma, or equivalent. -One year experience working in a childcare setting preferred -Effective communication and collaboration skills -Ability to build strong rapport with colleagues -Excellent listening skills -Patience with children -Child, infant & adult CPR training, First Aid, Mandatory Child Abuse Reporting, Universal Precautions training, and Essential Training is required within 6 months of hire Ideal Candidate Competencies: -Must be comfortable with pretend/imaginative play -Ability to creatively redirect children -Ability to prioritize tasks and responsibilities with the children in mind first -Ability to engage children while reading a book using inflection -Ability to understand and follow safety procedures -Ability to safely use cleaning equipment and supplies. -Ability to lift and manipulate children and heavy objects. -Ability to read, understand, follow, and enforce safety procedures. -Ability to understand written and verbal communications. -Ability to remain calm during extended crying periods -Able to balance a variety of competing priorities Physical requirements: -Must be able to be active in the classroom including getting down on the floor with children, sitting, bending, and lifting. -May involve extended periods of time standing or sitting -Requires some lifting, carrying, pushing/or pulling objects up to 50 pounds.