Childcare Provider

The childcare providers at Cope Family Center create a positive nurturing environment for children and their parents. They foster a caring relationship among children, parents and caregivers. Childcare providers oversee the children’s play area and interact in a supportive manner with children, parents/caregivers and staff members.

Job Title: Childcare Provider
Program: Parent Education / Family Support Hub
Status: Non-Exempt, Casual/Very Part-Time, Not Eligible for Company-Sponsored Benefits;
Shift: Morning hours, 8:30am to 12pm, (classes are from 8:30am to 10am or 10am to 11:30am) and evening hours, 5:30pm to 8:30pm
Pay Rate: $20.70 per hour
Reports to: Parent Education / Family Engagement Program Manager

Organization Overview

Cope Family Center, a non-profit organization in Napa, has been helping Napa County families create happy, healthy lives for their children through parent education, drop-in support, and advocacy efforts since 1972. Our mission is to empower parents, nurture children and strengthen communities. We provide parents with the education, resources and support they need to raise children who thrive.

Job Summary

The childcare providers at Cope Family Center create a positive nurturing environment for children and their parents. They foster a caring relationship among children, parents and caregivers. Childcare providers oversee the children’s play area and interact in a supportive manner with children, parents/caregivers and staff members.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Primary Duties

• Assure a safe environment for the children under their direct supervision at all times
• Prepare meals and snacks; organize mealtime schedules
• Promote good hygiene for children under their care
• Organize activities and/or follow a curriculum that helps the children learn about the world and explore their interests. Engage in emotional learning activities one-to-one or in small groups
• Ensure children have sufficient physical activity, rest, and playtime
• Watch for signs of emotional or developmental distress in children under their care; bring concerns to the attention of parents, Lead Childcare Provider and/or Program Manager
• If a child is injured, notify Program Manager and parent(s); complete and file an accident report detailing the incident.

Open Childcare Center

• Perform environmental safety checks on an on-going basis to assure a safe, efficient setting 
• Check children and parents in and out of the center according to established protocol
• Prepare supplies and materials for social interaction and engaging play
• Coordinate food service (snacks and meals), including preparation, assembly and shopping as needed. Monitor children’s intake during meal and snack time.

Greet Parents and Children

• Welcome children and parents in the childcare room upon their arrival
• Assure children and parents are signed in and out according to protocol
• Engage children in activities that are of interest to the particular child
• Inform parents of any incidents, including positive experiences, that may have happened with their child during their stay in the center
• If child appears or acts ill, follow childcare illness policy, including asking parents about the health status of the child. inquire with parents (check childcare illness policy)

Close Childcare Center

• Clean and organize room, disinfect toys, close and lock windows and doors
• Clean and organize kitchen
• Ensure parent and child attendance sheets are complete and filed according to procedure
• Complete timesheet and validate with Lead Childcare Provider.

Maintain Childcare Center

• Check weekly for broken toys; inform Program Manager when toys need to be replaced or repaired
• Decorate the childcare room with seasonal themes
• Check adequacy of snack supply; replenish supply according to protocol (notify Program Manager)
• Inform Program Manager if special supplies are needed
• Maintain copies of the following documents in storage closet: Childcare Rules, Illness Check-Off Sheet, Illness Policy, and Photo Consent.

Support the Team

• Assist coworkers as needed
• Participate in discussions, volunteer ideas and suggest solutions
• Provide strength-based feedback to coworkers and volunteers
• Maintain confidentiality of clients and coworkers
• Support the agency’s community disaster relief work in times of need.

Follow Mandated Reporter Protocol

• Immediately report any suspicion of child abuse to your supervisor 
• A Mandated Reporter report must be filed the same day as an incident is indicated
• Complete Annual Mandated Reporter training.

Policies and Procedures

• Read and adhere to Cope policies and procedures.
• Read and adhere to Childcare policies and procedures.

QUALIFICATIONS

Childcare providers should possess the following qualities:

• Communication skills: must be able to talk with parents and colleagues about the progress of the children in their care. Demonstrate good speaking and listening skills; communicate effectively, concisely and in a timely manner. Demonstrate ability to relate to a socially and economically diverse population
• Decision-making skills: Exercise good judgment in response to difficult situations or in an emergency
• Instructional skills: Possess ability to explain things in terms young children can understand. Prior experience with children & families and/or successful completion of child development units desired
• Interpersonal skills: Possess ability to work well with people and to develop positive relationships with parents, children, and colleagues
• Patience: Possess the ability to respond to difficult situations in a calm and caring manner. Working with children can be frustrating, so childcare workers need to be able to respond to overwhelming and difficult situations calmly
• Physical stamina: Possess the ability to work physically and emotionally with young children for long periods of time; have the ability to interact with children by sitting on the floor and/or at child-size tables
• Bilingual skills: Second language (Spanish) highly desirable.

Training and Certification

• Graduation from an accredited high school or GED required
• Certification in Early Childhood Education or a Child Development Credential, preferred
• Infant/Child CPR and First Aid
• Mandated Reporter Training
• Successful completion of all required criminal background clearances and fingerprinting, including DOJ/FBI checks and Live Scan, as applicable under California law

Please Note: This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed and is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications. Duties may change based on organizational needs.

If you are interested in this opportunity, please submit your resume and cover letter to Jessica Flores: jflores@copefamilycenter.org

Equal Employment Opportunity

Cope Family Center is an equal opportunity employer committed to creating an inclusive workplace. We prohibit discrimination and harassment on the basis of any characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law, including race, color, religion, religious creed, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, military or veteran status, reproductive health decision-making, or any other protected status.