Childcare Assistant
Hours: 17 hours per week
Salary: £13.68 per hour
Contract: Premanent
Working Pattern: Monday to Friday, primarily during school pick-up and after-school hours
Location: YMCA Bellshill & Mossend, 294 Main Street, Bellshill, ML4 1AB
Responsible to: Childcare Manager
About the Role
We are looking for a Childcare Assistant to join our childcare team, supporting school-age children within our registered childcare service.
This is a hands-on role for someone who enjoys working with children and can help create a safe, welcoming and fun environment where children can play, learn, build friendships and make choices about how they spend their time.
The role is for 17 hours per week, Monday to Friday, and is mainly based around school collection and after-school hours, plus additional hours during school holidays, depending on the needs of the service.
What You’ll Be Doing
As part of our childcare team, you will:
· Safely collect and escort children from local schools to our childcare service.
· Help create a safe, welcoming and inclusive environment for all children.
· Build positive and professional relationships with children and their families.
· Plan and deliver a range of play, creative, physical, indoor and outdoor activities.
· Listen to children and involve them in choosing and planning activities.
· Support children’s individual needs, wellbeing and development.
· Encourage children to build confidence, independence and positive relationships.
· Help prepare and serve snacks and refreshments.
· Support the team to keep play and activity areas clean, organised and safe.
· Take part in planning and delivering our school holiday programmes.
· Follow safeguarding, child protection, health and safety and risk assessment procedures.
· Contribute to observations and records relating to children’s experiences and development where required.
· Work in line with Care Inspectorate requirements and the policies and procedures of the childcare service.
· Work positively with parents, carers, schools and other organisations involved in supporting children.
· Attend team meetings, supervision and relevant training.
· Complete any SSSC registration, training or qualification requirements relevant to the role.
· Carry out other reasonable duties connected to the childcare service.
About You
We are looking for someone who:
· Enjoys working with school-age children and understands the importance of play.
· Can build positive relationships with children while maintaining appropriate boundaries.
· Is reliable and able to work as part of a team.
· Can communicate well with children, parents, carers and colleagues.
· Understands the importance of keeping children safe.
· Can support children with different needs, interests and backgrounds.
· Is willing to learn, take part in training and develop their childcare practice.
· Can work Monday to Friday during the required school pick-up and after-school hours.
Qualifications and ExperienceEssential
· Experience of working with children in a group, childcare, play, education or community setting.
· An understanding of play and the role it has in children’s development and wellbeing.
· An understanding of safeguarding and child protection responsibilities.
· Willingness and ability to become a member of the Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) Scheme.
· Willingness to register with the Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC), where required.
· A relevant childcare/play qualification at the required level, or willingness to work towards the required qualification within the appropriate timescale.
Desirable
· An SVQ Level 3 or equivalent qualification relevant to childcare or play.
· Previous experience within an out-of-school care service.
· Knowledge of GIRFEC and current good practice in childcare.
· Experience of planning and delivering activities for school-age children.
· First Aid, Food Hygiene or other relevant training.
Working With Us
Our childcare service is part of the wider work of YMCA Bellshill & Mossend. We want children and families using our services to feel supported, included and valued.
Our SHINE values guide how we work:
Supported – creating a space where children, families, staff and volunteers feel valued and supported.
Honest – being open, responsible and accountable in our work.
Included – listening to people, removing barriers and making sure everyone feels welcome.
Non-Judgemental – putting children, young people and families first and treating everyone with respect.
Environment – being willing to adapt to changing needs and circumstances.
Additional Information
The successful applicant will be required to undertake appropriate pre-employment checks, including PVG Scheme membership, references and evidence of their right to work in the UK.
The postholder will be expected to follow all organisational and childcare policies and procedures and maintain appropriate professional standards at all times.
Pay: £13.68 per hour
Work Location: In person
