Responsible Adult

The casual Responsible Adult works as part of a team to provide a caring, safe and nurturing environment and age-appropriate programming for children 2.5 - 12 years of age. The RA will help provide a quality caring and supportive childcare program to attendees of the qʷayac̓iikʔiis Head Start Childcare Centre that addresses their unique childcare needs, meets all regulatory standards required by federal, provincial and the Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ governments. This position reports to the Childcare Manager and is on an "as needed" basis to fill temporary vacancies. **Primary/Core Responsibilities** Performs all duties and responsibilities in accordance with the Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ Government policies, standards, practices and procedures, as directed by the Director of Huuḥtakšiiḥinʔaała (we are always learning) - Education and Youth. As directed, the Responsible Adult will support the qʷayac̓iikʔiis Head Start Childcare Centre Team with the following responsibilities: - Follow childcare licensing regulations. - Discuss the program’s daily events with family members at drop-off and pick-up times. - Adhere to qʷayac̓iikʔiis Head Start Childcare Centre policies and handbooks. - Provide a daily balance of active/quiet, indoor/outdoor and individual/group activities. - Carry out a daily schedule that incorporates child-directed activity, care routines and transitions times. - Organize space, equipment and materials prior to activities. - Set up daily routines to take advantage of embedded learning opportunities. - Provide experiences that promote children’s understanding of their own and other cultures and value system. - Plan and carry out activities that promote problem-solving play. - Organize physical and social environment to extend and expand child-directed play experiences. - Represent and document children’s activities-display of children’s drawings and printing, portfolios. - Participate in short - and long-term planning and the annual program review. - Seek out opportunities to recognize and celebrate new developmental achievements. - Encourage and assist each child in carrying out daily routines. - Provide daily opportunities for each child to choose to be alone. - Engage each child individually each day. - Observe how children use the materials and interact with each other and adults. - Use observations to expand play and plan activities that recognize individual differences. - Work with resource staff and other specialists to plan, carry out and review individual program plans. - Set reasonable behavior expectations. - Provide positive guidelines such as re-directing, positive language and reinforcement. - Immediately address problem behavior without labeling the child. - Establish enjoyable daily eating routines. - Attend to children’s physical needs for diapering, toileting, eating and sleeping. - Seek out opportunities to recognize and respect family’s child rearing practices Performs other duties and responsibilities as necessary in the performance of the position, and as assigned by the Childcare Manager. **Qualifications** **Training, Education and Experience** - Must be at least 19 years of age, - Able to provide care and mature guidance to children, - Must have completed a course, or a combination of courses, of at least 20 hours duration in child development, guidance, health and safety, or nutrition, and Must have relevant work experience. - Documentation in accordance with licensing requirements. - Satisfactory criminal records check. **Knowledge, Skills and Abilities** - An understanding of the issues that affect children and their families - Excellent interpersonal skills with parents, community members - Mature and responsible attitude towards work - Willingness to work flexible hours - Believes in and practices the mission, goals of the program. - Ability to build trust and positive relationships with families in the program. - Act as a role model of appropriate behaviour. - Ability to work cooperatively as a member of the childcare team, facilitating a team environment - Continuing personal and professional development in related areas. - Actively incorporates volunteers into the program areas. - Ability to lift (up to 25 kg) - Genuine respect for Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ traditions, culture, and protocols. **Working Conditions** Reports to: Childcare Manager Department: Education & Youth