Childcare Manager

Deadline Extended to 5p.m. on Wednesday 20 July 2022

The Board of Management of Kinvara Community Children's Service are seeking a dynamic, creative and engaging individual who enjoys working with children aged 3 months up to 12 years for the Childcare Service in Kinvara to lead this long established service. As a Childcare Manager you will be responsible for developing, managing and evaluating the childcare setting for the children that use the service ensuring that it supports and enhances the children’s development, social-emotional learning and academics.

KCCS has always had play at its centre. Our ethos strives to encourage children to engage in freely chosen self-directed play, with independence and resilience being strongly promoted by staff. The adult’s role is seen as observer – one who strives to recognize the individuality of each child, regardless of their capabilities and who encourages each child to reach their full potential, by providing a rich environment for them to explore.

We provide affordable and flexible quality childcare with a strong emphasis on inclusion and partnership with parents and the local community. This manager role has full responsibility and accountability for the maintenance of good practice standards in the management and delivery of a high quality early years and afterschool service. The Manager will be responsible for the efficient financial management and operations of the service.

Closing date for applications is 5p.m. on Wednesday 20 July 2022

Interviews will take place on Saturday 23 July 2022 for shortlisted candidates. Please note, this date is subject to change by the Board of Management and/or the interview board.

Interested candidates should send a current CV, letter of application, details of 2 references and copy of qualifications either by post or email to the following:

Childcare Manager, Board of Management, c/o Secretary Board of Management, Kinvara Community Children's Service, Glebe Road, Kinvara, Co. Galway

or

kccsbom@gmail.com

• Ensure the welfare of all children attending the service is of paramount importance and that their development and well-being on every level is catered for.

• Have the overall responsibility in the daily management of a quality driven service, its staff team and the children attending the service. To administer and manage the service in line with policies and procedures developed by Management and the Board of Management and Directors and meeting the requirements of relevant funding organisations.

• To always adopt a professional outlook to childcare issues and present a positive approach to development in respect of new legislation, measures taken to further protect children, staff supervision, training and development, working in partnership with parents/guardians and participate in the evaluation and development of the service.

• To manage a Childcare Staff team including

• To be actively involved and take responsibility for the recruitment process for all service staff
• Daily management of the staff including staff direction, organisation, motivation and facilitation
• To plan and implement a quality curriculum which will include referencing to Síolta, Aistear, Literacy & Numeracy etc.
• To supervise and support the room leaders and assistants in their roles to include planning, implementing, and reviewing of activities/programmes
• To identify, provide and implement staff training programmes/schedules to include First Aid, Child Protection & Welfare and staff personal development
• To provide, encourage and enhance team building/team dynamics
• To conduct regular staff meetings to discuss service issues
• Check and sign all time sheets in accordance with Pobal procedures
• Co-ordinate and lead regular staff meetings and support & supervision meetings for staff.

• To ensure that the service operates in accordance with the Child Care (Pre-school Services) Regulations, 2006.

• To report and liaise on a regular basis with the Board of Management.

• To have overall responsibilities for drafting and implementing of all childcare policies and procedures for the service and to ensure that they are adhered to daily.

• To establish a quality led ethos within the crèche service to provide a high standard of care. Recognising and implementing quality led initiatives within the service.

• To liaise with all Parents/Carers who are the primary carers of the children and ensure they are always welcome in the service while ensuring that they are informed of their child(ren)'s progress and development

• Cultivate a partnership with parents and the community. To engage and/or delegate fundraising activities deemed appropriate either by KCCS and/or the Board of Management

• To liaise and establish links with any outside agencies who may be involved with the service in any form.

• To ensure that all health and safety requirements are in place and always maintained.

• Liaise with Tusla Early Years Inspectors / DES Inspectors.
• Liaise with Galway Childcare Committee re schemes (ECCE/NCS/CCSP etc)
• Liaise with Pobal Verification Team.

• Liaise with HSE Intervention Team Social Workers etc.

• Liaise with TUSLA.

• To have overall responsibility for the reporting and all requirements under the DCEDIY funded programmes. This will include preparing for compliance visits, Pobal PIP administration. Also maintaining all necessary documentation in relation to all childcare funded schemes and making necessary returns to Pobal.

• To have responsibly for the overall financial procedures of the Childcare centre; matching income to expenditure and reporting to the Board regarding same.

• To have responsibility for overall promotion of the service within the community. This will include providing literature around the schemes and outlining eligibility.

• To carry out relief room cover across all of the childcare rooms when required.

• To perform such other duties appropriate to the office of Childcare Manager as may be assigned by the Board of Directors.

• A child centred communicator with an inclusive approach to childcare and a thorough knowledge of child development and its application to practice.

• Leadership and organisational skills with excellent personal, inter-personal and communication skills.

• A sound working knowledge of Síolta & Aistear.

• A comprehensive knowledge of Child CareAct 1991 (Early Years Services) (Amendment) Regulations 2016 and (Registration of School Age Services) Regulations 2018.

• An understanding and knowledge of the National Quality Framework and of all aspects of operating a quality school aged environment required.

• A comprehensive knowledge and understanding of child protection and the duties and responsibilities under Children First.

• A comprehensive understanding of the administration and promotion of the DCEDIY childcare funding programmes.

• Minimum Level 7 major award in Early Childhood Care and Education on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ).

• At least 2 years’ experience in a managerial post and 3 years’ experience working directly in early year care and education.

• A commitment to continuous professional development that includes further training and/or education requirements required to maintaining a quality service.

• Administrative and budget management skills.

• Ability to delegate effectively with good time management skills.

• First aid training and an awareness of health and safety issues and legal requirements relating to childcare service.

• Willingness to work flexible hours including occasional evening and weekends as required.

• Excellent customer care skills, a commitment to quality and an appreciation of the need for strict confidentiality.