Job title: Preschool and Afterschool Manager (Full Time 35 hours)Location: St. Raphael's Preschool and Afterschool ProjectReports to: The Management Committee of St. Raphael's Preschool and Afterschool ProjectMAIN JOB PURPOSE· To manage the day to day running of St. Raphael's Preschool and Afterschool Project.· To be responsible for the supervision of the staff and the care of the children attending the Preschool and Afterschool· To assist in identifying needs of children and develop programmes for the preschool and afterschool· To adhere to and ensure the implementation of the childcare policies and procedures of St. Raphael's Preschool and Afterschool Project.· To ensure ongoing review and development of these policies and procedures in line with best practice and new legislation.· To act as the Designated Liaison Person for Child Protection issues.· To collect and record parental fees and prepare lodgements.· To attend Monthly Management Committee Meetings and to present a monthly report· To order all supplies and ensure they are divided evenly and use effectively· To co-ordinate and lead weekly staff meetings.· To carry out support and supervision meetings with all staff every 6-8 weeks, as well as annual appraisals.· To work in close co-operation with the Deputy Manager and the other team members· To ensure the safety, security and well-being of all the children in your care including preschool, afterschool and homework club.· To assist the other early years team members with planning and implementing age appropriate, stimulating programmes of activities which will enhance the child's natural growth and development including reference to Siolta, Aistear and the HighScope Curriculum· To assist the other early years team members with planning activities for Afterschool/ Homework Club· To ensure that all quality and safety standards are maintained in St. Raphael's Preschool and Afterschool Project at all times in line with all Childcare Regulations and Health & Safety Regulations.· To be flexible in your role and provide support to the Early Year's Team as required by the Management Committee.CARE OF CHILDREN· To be attentive to the children in your care.· To deal with issues as they arise in relation to the well-being of children and to bring any child protection concerns to the attention of the Chairperson of the Management Committee in a timely manner· To communicate and interact with children appropriate to their stage of development.· To provide personal care if necessary, i.e. changing clothing if wet or soiled, if an accident has occurred.· To carry out planned and unplanned observations using the Preschool observation programme.TRAINING AND MEETINGS· To undertake training if requested by the Management Committee.· To attend and participate at meetings as required.· Promote training courses and ongoing professional development of all staff.PARENTS· To encourage working in partnership with parents/families· To keep parents informed of the children's progress and well-being on a regular basis informally and formally.· To assist staff in preparing for Parent/ Teacher Meetings· To respect and acknowledge parents as primary educators of their children and support them in this role.· To organise Home Visits with families, respecting their home environments.· To organise and participate in Family Events held during the year· Support parents/families that may require additional support. Report any concerns to the Management Committee and link with external agencies as required i.e. Speech & Language, Family Support Services, and Social Worker etc.· Give input for the Preschool Parent's Newsletter· Update Parent NoticeboardsFOOD· To ensure children's lunches are stored in the fridge in accordance with the Preschool Regulations · To encourage good eating habits and personal hygiene.· To ensure meal times are used as a social occasion with the children.· To ensure fridge temperatures are recorded in all rooms on a daily basis.FLEXIBILITY· To be flexible in regard to working in different rooms if required and as part of the Early Years Team and Afterschool Service.CURRICULUM· To be familiar with the HighScope Curriculum, Aistear National Early Years Curriculum Framework and practices and use these on a daily basis to inform practice and support children's learning.· To participate and assist in the planning and implementation of daily plans using Aistear and HighScope Curriculum.· To provide opportunities for children to learn in a holistic way.· To provide opportunities for self-directed play.· To ensure that the curriculum and activities are linked to HighScope and Aistear.· To support the team with curriculum planning during non-contact time i.e. display boards, gathering resources, printing photographs etc.HEALTH AND SAFETY· To report any Health & Safety concerns/hazards/risks to the Management Committee immediately.· To support the health and safety officer to carry out risk assessments· To be familiar with the Health and Safety policies and procedures and report/record any accidents and incidents· To sign all accident reports· To refrain from engaging in any activity that poses a risk to you, other members of staff or children.· To have a good knowledge of fire and safety procedures within St. Raphael's Preschool and Afterschool Project.· To maintain a safe, clean and healthy indoor and outdoor environment.· To keep your work space clean and hygienic.· To participate in cleaning duties as required and keep records of this for inspections from Preschool Inspection Officer (Tusla).· To ensure the Preschool/ Afterschool is locked up appropriately on a daily basisADMINISTRATION· To be responsible for maintaining appropriate records and documents in compliance with the Childcare Act 1991 and the Childcare (Preschool Services) (No 2) (Amendment) Regulations 2006. Records include children's progress, recording observations, accident reports, etc.· To be responsible for children files these must be kept confidential and locked in filing cabinet.· To be responsible for ensuring your timesheets are filled in correctly on a daily a basis, you must sign in and out of the school and record breaks.MEMBER OF STAFF TEAM RESPONSIBILITES· To be a member of the Early Years Team engaging with other members of staff· To support other members of the Early Years Team· To ensure that you respect the rights of the children in the care of St. Raphael's Preschool and Afterschool Project and their parents.· To work as part of a team, fostering good working relationships within the team and the extended primary school staff team.· To have a neat and tidy appearance, and to adhere to the dress code.COMMUNICATION· To communicate frequently with the Deputy Manager, team members and parents.· To communicate in a straightforward, accurate and professional manner and not engage in unnecessary social conversations when working and supervising children.· To maintain confidentiality. You shall not during the period of employment or at any time after the termination of employment disclose any confidential information in respect of the employer or information relating to the work, children, parents or staff participating or working in St. Raphael's Preschool and Afterschool Project.OTHER DUTIES· To read, understand and sign all policies and procedures of St. Raphael's Preschool and Afterschool Project and adhere to them.· To supervise student placements as maybe required· To adhere to the Childcare (Preschool Services) (No 2) (Amendment) Regulations 2006, the Childcare Act 1991, and all other relevant legislation and regulations.· To be a member of the childcare team assisting with the care and education of children in St. Raphael's Preschool and Afterschool Project.· To work in close co-operation with the Deputy Manager and other team members.· To ensure the safety, security and well-being of all children in your care.· To ensure all quality and safety standards are maintained in St. Raphael's Preschool and Afterschool Project at all times.· To ensure storage presses, outdoor areas and outdoor shed are organised and cleaned on a regular basis.This job description may be reviewed, updated and/or amended from time to time in line with the needs of St. Raphael's Preschool and Afterschool Project and as required by the Management committee.Job Types: Full-time, PermanentPay: €20.25 per hourExpected hours: 35 per weekEducation:Bachelor's (required)Experience:Preschool Management: 2 years (preferred)Licence/Certification:BA degree in Early Childhood Education (required)Work Location: In person