Preschool Assistant

Preschool Assistant

Responsible to: Preschool Leader
Hourly Rate: £11.44
Hours of work: 30 hours per week which may include evenings from time to time
Contract: Part time, Permanent
Leave: Entitlement 5.6 weeks
Proposed start date: As soon as possible

The Methodist Church in Ireland is a community of people drawn together by God’s love, who seek to live wholeheartedly as followers of Jesus for the transformation of the world. Newtownabbey Methodist Mission is part of MCI. The Mission’s motto is “A heart for God and a hand to people.” We are called to serve Christ, and in response to His love and grace be His hands and feet in the Rathcoole Estate and wherever God places us.

Newtownabbey Methodist Mission Preschool is committed to delivering excellent outcomes for children. We pride ourselves on running a setting where children are happy, safe and able to reach their potential. Our staff team are the most important resource we have to ensure that this happens. We want staff who are child centred and willing to go the extra mile to make sure that our children fulfil their potential.

The role of the Preschool Assistant is to support the Leader in ensuring that there is a safe, caring and welcoming environment for children and their families.

Responsibilities

• To ensure a high standard of physical, emotional, social and intellectual care for children placed in the Preschool.
• Help ensure that the playrooms are appropriately laid out before the session commences and are tidied up after the session ends.
• To ensure excellent standards of hygiene are followed and that equipment is safe and regularly checked as recommended in DHSSPS guidelines.
• Attend and participate in all staff meetings and assist in planning and preparation
• Carry out regular observations and make an assessment of each child’s needs within the group and plan daily to meet these needs.
• Help provide and take part in all the group’s activities.
• Take part in special events and group outings.
• Encourage parental involvement.
• To listen, encourage, enable and stimulate the children and ensure their safekeeping.
• Attend relevant evening meetings and courses as directed by the leader or committee. Course fees may be considered by the management for approved training.
• Advise the Leader of any matter with regards to children or equipment requiring attention.
• In accordance with GDPR requirements, to keep strictly confidential any personal information regarding the children, their families or other staff learnt as part of the job. Such information must not be passed on unless it is in the interest of a child.

The responsibilities outlined above are not exhaustive and the post holder may be required to undertake other duties of a similar nature and appropriate to their role as reasonably required by the Preschool Leader.

The successful candidate should be willing to work with respect for the aims and ethos of the Methodist Church in Ireland.

Person Specification

Essential Criteria

• QCF Level 3 Diploma in Child Care, Learning and Development
• By the date of appointment, at least six month’s previous paid work experience within a Preschool setting
• Knowledge of the NI Preschool Curriculum
• Physical ability to lift children and equipment when required.
• Able to identify problems and refer to leader
• Able to work as part of a team.
• Able to relate well to children and their parents/carers
• Willingness to attend evening meetings and training
• An understanding of child development and the importance of parental involvement.
• Motivated and energetic person who can take initiative and work in a team
• Friendly, caring, helpful
• Willingness to work with respect for the aims and ethos of the Methodist Church in Ireland

Desirable Criteria

• Additional, relevant training undertaken e.g. Safeguarding, First Aid, Food Hygiene Certificate etc.
• By the date of appointment, at least one year’s previous paid work experience within a Preschool setting
• Proficient in the use of ICT packages e.g. Word, Excel, See Saw
• Good communication skills

To request an application pack, please click CONTACT EMPLOYER.

Application forms to be returned to the following address:

Dr Hazel Edwards
35a Rathcoole Drive
Newtownabbey
Co Antrim
BT37 9AQ

Closing Date for receipt of application forms is 12 September 2024 at 12 noon.

Applications received after this date will not be considered.