Child Care Assistant Job Profile

PHILOSOPHY

Prairie Nature Children’s Centre Inc. (PNCC) is an inclusive, nature-based childcare center that follows the Circle of Security Attachment Theory and Manitoba Child Care Association’s Code of Ethics. 

Inclusion Philosophy: Policy Books – Prairie Nature Children's Centre (prairienaturecc.com)

Circle of Security: Circle of Security is a visual “map” of caregiver-child attachment. It is an early intervention program designed to strengthen the relationship between a caregiver and child. 

Circle of Security – Attachment Network of Manitoba

Learning and Living with Nature Policy for PNCC Policy Books – Prairie Nature Children's Centre (prairienaturecc.com)

Manitoba Child Care Association Code of Ethics Code-of-Ethics-Principles.pdf (mccahouse.org)

RELATIONAL CARE/EMOTIONAL MANAGEMENT POLICY

The Educators of PNCC participate in C.O.S. (Circle of Security) Training and MCCA's Ethics series throughout their employment. These courses provide a practical approach to relational care management.   

1. Educators understand that a child’s emotions (agitated, upset, dysregulated) reflect the need for an adult to meet their needs and help them to regulate. Adults will:
   1. Be calm
   2. Take charge
   3. Be kind
   4. Stay with the child until they both understand the feeling that can seem overwhelming for the child to handle alone
   5. Help the child return to what they were doing, with a new option
   6. Reflect on
      1. Their observations
      2. Child’s need
      3. Where they are on the circle of security
      4. If the child’s needs were met
      5. The child’s response
      6. Recognizing a child’s patterns
      7. Alternate strategies to best support the child
2. In accordance with the licensing standards for child care, the Centre will “not permit, practice, or inflict any form of physical punishment, verbal or emotional abuse, or denial of physical necessities for any child in attendance”.

For the Centre and family to operate in harmony, if a child goes home upset about any emotional management strategies, please contact the Educators involved for all the facts.

We recognize the varying developmental capabilities of children and understand that it is normal (age appropriate) for children to display big feelings and challenging emotions at times for a variety of reasons.

CURRICULUM STATEMENT

Prairie Nature Children’s Centre Inc. recognizes that play is essential for optimal development and learning in every young child and for that reason we offer a play-based, developmentally appropriate and responsive curriculum. Play fosters all aspects of a child’s development. In honouring child’s play, we honour the whole child.

Prairie Nature Children’s Centre Inc. is an inclusive centre where children of all abilities have equal access to participate in learning experiences provided through the interactions and relationships, the environment and the experiences we provide (more information included in PNCC’s Inclusion Philosophy).

Prairie Nature Children’s Centre Inc. recognizes and respects diversity and is an equal opportunity (2SLGBTQIA*) employer. Diversity strengthens a child’s self-esteem, confidence and emotional development. Opportunities are provided to help children learn that individuals are different, yet also share similarities. We do this by having a variety of materials available to the children such as books, photos, and dress up clothes, dolls, and toy people that represent various cultures, race, age, abilities and gender. We also plan activities and, on occasion, serve foods that reflect the cultural diversity of families in our program and community. To enhance our relationship and knowledge of the community, children may go on fieldtrips in the neighbourhood such as the Fire Station, Library or local grocery store.

INTERACTIONS AND RELATIONSHIPS

The Educators at PNCC interact with children and their families in a warm, sensitive, responsive manner so we can develop relationships with one another. See Circle of Security. PNCC’s Educators understand the importance of building relationships with individual children. This is done by finding common interests, spending time with each child and observing their learning styles.

Prairie Nature Children’s Centre Inc. regards physical contact and closeness with children as natural and essential. Touching shows that the caregivers are at ease with a child who wants to sit on their knee, hold their hand, or share a hug. (More information is included in PNCC Touch Policy) It is important for children to feel safe and secure so that they can develop a sense of trust.

Educators show enjoyment being with children and are enthusiastic about children’s efforts. They are positive role models by using appropriate, correct terminology and language. Educators see all children as capable, competent, motivated learners. Educators are developing into pedagogical leaders, so they take on more of a role of a researcher rather than a teacher. They decide whether to lead or follow children’s interests, when to provoke a new interest, when to work side by side with a child, to give verbal encouragement or when to stand aside and observe or wait to make the most of children’s learning opportunities. We see children as delightful little scientists, explorers, acrobats, and scholars who use all their senses, their whole bodies and their behaviours as tools for investigating the world.

Educators learn from and support children’s learning by observing (not interrupting unnecessarily), by giving encouragement when they provide materials to expand children’s play and by giving ideas and choices. Educators may take photos of children doing interesting things. Educators listen and may record quotes from children. These forms of observations are shared with the Educators and families and they may be used for a future learning story, book or a part of an Instagram post for families. Educators use their information to learn from the children. Educators will also use their information to determine the interactions, play space and materials and experiences to provide. While Educators interact with and observe children, they ask open-ended questions and make comments to stimulate children’s reasoning. For example, “Why do you think that is happening? Is there another way to do that?”

Educators at PNCC form positive and trusting relationships with families. We do this through conversations and sharing. Open communication with parents/guardians is important; this is done through conversations, invitations into the classroom (for example, volunteering opportunities, potlucks) as well as our Instagram and web site. Families are welcomed into our programs and can expect a short orientation as well as a program overview when their child begins. Children will have easy access to family pictures to ensure feelings of security. There is another way of keeping families connected while they are separated. We describe how we support children’s learning through our documentation- notes, photos and children’s artwork are displayed to show parents/guardians and visitors purposeful planning, implementation and responsive developmentally appropriate learning experiences. PNCC’s curriculum provides opportunities for group play and other social interactions. This helps children learn to self-regulate and respect the comments, thoughts and opinions of others. Children are encouraged to talk to each other to solve problems and will show creative thinking when Educators don’t solve problems for them. We also refer children to other children for learning opportunities, helping the children to become the expert in their form of peer role modeling. For example, a child has just explained to a group of children how they learned the rules of soccer. The child now can help their friends learn the rules.

Overview of Position

The Child Care Assistant (CCA) assists the Early Childhood Educator (ECE) with providing high quality early learning and child care. This includes assisting the ECE in directing and assessing the positive emotional, physical, social and cognitive development of children by implementing appropriate activities and programs according to each child’s individual developmental abilities, interests and needs.

Education & Training Required

• high school education or equivalent preferred
• must have completed or be enrolled in a recognized 40 hour program of studies as required by the Province of Manitoba within the first year of employment
• Must be certified in First Aid and CPR relevant to the age group being cared for.

Experience Required

• some experience working with children in a related environment is preferred

Key Areas of Responsibility

•  Follow PNCC’s Philosophy: Prairie Nature Children’s Centre Inc. (PNCC) is an inclusive, play-based, nature-based childcare center that follows the Circle of Security Attachment Theory and Manitoba Child Care Association’s Code of Ethics.
• works with, supports and/or replaces the ECE for periods of time, ensuring the children’s health, safety and well-being
• maintains a safe and healthy learning environment where the needs of children and families are met.  This includes supporting the ECE in implementing an organized, purposeful program which utilizes safe and injury free practices, creative, well balanced, and stimulating activities, and learning experiences which offer physical, social, emotional and sensory development
• advances children’s physical and intellectual competence by being aware of normal development and working with a variety of equipment, activities and opportunities to promote children’s physical, cognitive and communication skills as well as their creativity.  This includes indoor/outdoor activities, activities that allow for questioning and probing and activities that encourage listening, understanding and expressing themselves with others
• assists the ECE in creating an environment that builds positive self-concept and individual strength. Treats children as individuals in a respectful way, celebrates their successes, provides support and encouragement and is sensitive to different values and expectations
• promotes positive functioning between children and adults by assisting in the development of social skills, encouraging feelings of empathy and mutual respect and setting realistic behavioural expectations which encourage self-control and positive reinforcement while following behaviour management guidelines
• assists the ECE and guides children in daily routine activities including arrival and departure activities, naps, meals and other daily living activities
• assists in organizing, decorating and tidying the premises as well as prepares and stores material used in various programs, activities or special events
• maintains a high level of professionalism including confidentiality, ethical and professional behavior

Note: In the absence of a fully qualified ECE, the CCA may assume some or all of the key areas of responsibility of the ECE.  This should occur under the direct and ongoing guidance of a fully qualified ECE, or someone with supervisory/management responsibilities.