Childcare Worker Aide

Childcare Worker/Aide

Classification: Non-Exempt

Reports to: Childcare Worker Supervisor/Group Supervisor

JOB DESCRIPTION

About HopePHL™

HopePHL is the result of the joining of People’s Emergency Center (PEC) and Youth Service, Inc. (YSI) in January 2023. Together, we achieve a greater impact in Philadelphia. HopePHL inspires Philadelphia's children, youth, families, and communities to thrive by providing housing, advocacy, and trauma-responsive social services designed to promote equity, resilience, autonomy, and well-being. We are looking for vibrant and compassionate people to join our team! Learn more at www.hopephl.org.

Summary:

The Childcare Worker/Aide provides safe, nurturing, and developmentally appropriate care to young children whose families are experiencing a crisis. Many children served by the crisis nursery have experienced trauma or are at risk of child welfare involvement. Workers are expected to respond to each child’s needs with patience and consistency, support healthy routines and positive relationships, and work with caregivers and the Baring House team to promote each child’s safety and well-being.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

· Provide trauma-responsive, developmentally appropriate care to infants, toddlers and preschool-age children who may be experiencing separation from caregivers, family crisis, housing instability, hospitalization of a caregiver, or other stressful circumstances.

· Develop and implement age-appropriate activities for children while consistently providing a safe, clean, nurturing, and engaging environment that fosters a child's physical, emotional, social, and cognitive growth.

· Maintain active supervision of children at all times and comply with required staff-child ratios.

· Follow the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services Chapter 3720 Child Care regulations and HopePHL policies regarding diapering, toileting, handwashing, sanitation and infection control.

· Follow infant safe-sleep requirements and facility procedures for sleep position, approved sleep spaces, and supervision. Monitor sleeping children as required, document sleep checks, and promptly report any safety concerns.

· Prepare and post weekly menus that provide nutritious, age-appropriate meals and snacks in accordance with applicable childcare requirements. Account for children’s documented allergies, dietary restrictions, and individual feeding needs, and communicate menu changes to staff and families.

· Prepare and serve infant formula, and age appropriate meals and snacks according to the posted weekly menu utilizing ServSafe guidelines.

· Prepare a clear, accurate daily summary for each parent or caregiver that describes the child’s meals and snacks, sleep, activities, mood, and any health, behavior, or care concerns, including information the caregiver needs to support the child after leaving the nursery.

· Complete any necessary unusual incident report in an accurate and timely way.

· Recognize and respond appropriately to illness, injury, allergies and medical emergencies.

· Maintain confidentiality of child and family information at all times.

· Report suspected child abuse or neglect in accordance with the Pennsylvania Child Protective Services Law and HopePHL policy.

· Use developmentally appropriate, trauma-responsive positive guidance to support children’s behavior. Never use corporal punishment, humiliation, threats, withholding of food, or restraint except as permitted by applicable law and facility policy.

· Maintain active supervision of assigned children by conducting regular head counts, knowing each child’s whereabouts at all times, checking the environment for safety hazards, and promptly reporting and addressing any hazards identified.

· Complete all required childcare records accurately, promptly, and confidentially, including attendance, daily care logs, incident reports, and other documentation required by HopePHL and applicable regulations.

· Maintain all qualifications, clearances, health assessments, certifications and training required by Pennsylvania DHS/OCDEL, applicable law, and HopePHL policy as a condition of employment.

· All other duties as assigned.

Competencies:

· Demonstrated understanding of trauma and the ability to provide trauma-responsive, developmentally appropriate support to meet the social and emotional needs of infants and young children.

· Demonstrated understanding of infant/toddler development

· Ability to provide active supervision to multiple children, follow safety procedures, and respond promptly to potential hazard.

· Cultural humility: ability to treat children and families with respect and adapt care to their individual backgrounds, circumstances, and preferences.

· Crisis response and emotional regulation: Recognizes signs of distress, responds calmly, and helps children feel safe during difficult moments.

· Ability to maintain composure under pressure

· Ability to maintain professional boundaries and protect confidential information.

· Reliability and Punctuality

· Observation, Communication, and Writing skills

· Collaboration - ability to work effectively as part of a team

· Ability to work assigned shifts, including evenings, weekends and/or holidays, based on program operations and family needs.

Required Education and Experience:

· Minimum of a High school diploma or equivalent and two years of childcare experience

· Child Development Associate (CDA) certificate a plus

Preferred Education:

Associate’s in early childhood education

Work Environment:

This position operates in a classroom environment. This position is required to be able to engage with children birth to 5 years old with different developmental levels and stages. This role also uses standard office equipment such as computers, phone, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines.

Physical Demands:

Routinely and in emergencies lift, carry children (ages birth to 5 yrs old) throughout or within facility; includes bending/kneeling/squatting as you engage in floor play with infants and toddlers and interacting with preschool children at their eye level. Assist children into or from any applicable equipment or furnishings, such as: highchairs, cribs, strollers, walkers and car seats. May include ascending/descending stairs with the children and their belongings; pushing strollers or equipment; and visually and audibly supervising multiple young children.

Other Duties:

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

HopePHL is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, and veteran or disability status.

Application Question(s):

• This position is for Friday-Sunday. Available shifts are 7a-3p; 3p-11p; 11p-7am (overnight). Which position are you interested in?

Work Location: In person