Childcare Practitioner

• JOB TITLE: Childcare Practitioner
• Accountable to: Lead Practitioner, Care Room & Centre Managers
• Essential Qualifications: QQI 5 in Childcare or equivalent
• Essential Experience: 2 years as Childcare Practitioner
• Hours: 30-40 Hours Per Week

MAIN JOB PURPOSE

• Provide quality early childhood care and education in a safe environment.
• Cooperate with management and team members.
• Act as key worker for assigned children as required.
• Ensure the safety, security, and wellbeing of children.
• Plan and deliver age-appropriate developmental activities.
• Maintain high quality and safety standards at all times.

Care and Well-Being

• Monitor and support children's physical and emotional wellbeing.
• Communicate effectively at children's levels and manage behavior positively.
• Maintain safe sleep environments and provide personal care (nappy changing, toileting, hygiene).
• Conduct developmental observations using designated frameworks.
• Report child welfare concerns immediately to the Designated Liaison Person.

Parents

Greet parents professionally and update them on children's progress.

Attend parent-teacher meetings as required.

Escalate parental complaints to management.

Food

Prepare and serve meals while encouraging good hygiene, self-feeding, and positive social interaction.

Curriculum/Activities

Implement curriculum grounded in Aistear to support emergent interests and self-directed play.

Health and Safety

Report safety hazards to management and adhere to service fire and safety procedures.

Maintain clean, hygienic, and safe indoor and outdoor environments, performing cleaning and risk assessments.

Adhere to professional dress codes, uniform policies, and equipment guidelines.

Administration

Maintain required records (observations, accidents, medication) in compliance with Child Care Regulations 2016.

Member of Staff Team Responsibilities

Collaborate effectively with team members and management while respecting children's rights.

Communication

Communicate professionally with team members, management, and parents, maintaining focus during supervision.

Flexibility

Maintain flexibility to work across different care rooms as needed.

Training and Meetings

Complete required training (First Aid, Fire Safety, Manual/Food Handling) and participate in staff meetings.

Other Duties

Comply with service policies, Child Care Regulations 2016, and Síolta quality frameworks.

Assist with student training and staff inductions.

This job description may be updated periodically to meet operational needs.