Assistant Childcare Worker (Adjunct Childcare) & Playgroup Assistant

Assistant Childcare Worker (Adjunct Childcare)& Playgroup Assistant

Location: Weston, ACT

Applications close: COB Friday 26 April 2024 or sooner if successful applicant found. We will be interviewing as suitable applicants are received so please apply as soon as possible.

About the Organisation:

Perinatal Wellbeing Centre has been providing support to families in the ACT and surrounding region for over 30 years, caring for over 800 families each year, with more than 400 of those receiving ongoing support through our evidence based programs. 

The service offers a diverse range of supports to families who are experiencing symptoms of depression, anxiety, stress, and/or are finding it challenging adjusting to parenting. Clients are welcomed from pregnancy through to their youngest child turning 2. Recent studies show that 1 in 5 women and 1 in 10 men experience perinatal anxiety and/or depression symptoms demonstrating impact on over 110,000 Australian families.

Our services include regular telephone support, facilitated group support (sometimes with an exercise component), information groups and playgroups. We provide free Adjunct Childcare while clients are attending support groups.

We are currently looking for an Assistant Childcare Worker (Adjunct Childcare) & Playgroup Assistant to provide care for children of clients attending the support groups in an Adjunct Childcare capacity (parent on site at all times) and to assist in Playgroup. It’s a casual position, an average of up to 18 hours per week for 8 weeks during ACT school term times. School holidays, evening or weekend shifts may occasionally be required.

Requirements of the position:

Skills/Experience

• Experience and ability to care for children up to 5 years old in a group setting
• Ability to form warm and responsive relationships with children and their parents
• Attentiveness to the needs and safety of children
• Positive, friendly attitude
• Capacity to work with minimal supervision and take initiative
• Clear and appropriate communication skills
• Current Working with Vulnerable People card
• Current Police check or the ability to obtain one

Key Responsibilities:

• Under the supervision of the Lead Childcare Worker& Playgroup Coordinator:
  1. Follow instructions from the Business Manager as required
  2. Ensure children are kept safe and healthy at all times
  3. Ensure children are fed according to program of care schedule or parent’s instructions as required
  4. Assist with children and babies’ personal care
  5. Follow instructions from parents regarding any particular needs of children where appropriate and provide feedback to them
  6. Ensure crying children are soothed and helped to fall asleep
  7. Settle children of new clients into the new space and routine
  8. Care for and entertain children through ‘learning with play’ and story time as part of the daily program of care
• Inform parent and Perinatal Mental Health Worker of any issues during or after session and complete incident forms where necessary
• Sign timesheet and hand all forms over to Perinatal Mental Health Worker at end of session.
• Ensure childcare rooms are clean/tidy before and after session
• Follow all Perinatal Wellbeing Centre’s policies and procedures including Work Health & Safety Policy, Child Protection and Reporting Policy and Privacy Policy.
• Assist the Playgroup Coordinator to set up the room in the mornings and tidy away at the end of the session (includes opening the building and locking up afterwards as required, and setting alarm)
• Provide a welcoming and understanding atmosphere for Perinatal Wellbeing Centre clients to further the aims of the group which are:
• To support parents who are experiencing perinatal depression and anxiety
• To provide an early intervention for parents who are having difficulty adjusting to parenthood.
• To increase social supports and networks for parents
• To provide a comfortable environment for parents
• Assist in promoting secure parent-infant attachment and teach/encourage parents how to play with their children
• Protect clients’ rights to privacy and confidentiality 
• Liaise with the Playgroup Coordinator if concerned about any client or child
• Be aware of workplace safety issues and be vigilant observing child, client and staff safety at all times
• Report any accidents on the Perinatal Wellbeing Centre incident form in conjunction with the Playgroup Coordinator and Business Manager 
• Promote workplace diversity, industrial democracy and occupational health and safety principles.

Perinatal Wellbeing Centre is committed to ongoing staff development and training. Benefits of working at Perinatal Wellbeing Centre include a friendly and collaborative working environment in Weston with free parking. 

How to apply 

Please apply for this position using the Quick Apply button at the top of this page and include a current resume and cover letter. 

Please contact Linda Vincent *****@perinatalwellbeing.org.au for further information.