Childcare Program Aide

Summary

The Childcare Program Aide provides support in the childcare program.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Adhere to all OCFS regulations, FLCA Childcare policies, and agency policies.
• Work with the Childcare Program Team to support a safe, nurturing, and loving environment both inside and outside of the classroom while children are in your care.
• Serve as a mandated reporter, which requires awareness of the signs of child abuse and maltreatment and the ability to make a call to the Mandated Reporter Hotline. Training is provided.
• Demonstrate teamwork when working with others within the classroom and throughout the program.
• Support positive, professional relationships with children, families, prospective families, and fellow staff.
• Interact with children in all aspects of the day to support the development of new skills in the classroom and always supervise children, including during toilet training.
• Support the implementation of learning experiences to ensure effective curriculum implementation, including for children with disabilities and dual language learners, as appropriate.
• Support the Childcare Team in preparing and implementing activities that enhance and support assessments. Assessments may or may not be conducted by you depending on the classroom type and will be completed in conjunction with the Lead Teacher.
• Maintain a clean and organized environment that meets the needs of the children in the program, in conjunction with the Childcare Program Team.
• Support the philosophy that the family is the child's first educator and provide support for development to meet the needs of the family.
• Serve as a positive role model in conjunction with the Childcare Program Team.
• Demonstrate flexibility to meet the needs of the program, children, and families.
• Sit with children during meals and provide a warm, inviting environment that promotes language development and self-help skills.
• Administer First Aid, CPR, and emergency medication as needed. Training is provided.
• Support the maintenance of accurate and up-to-date records and documentation, including attendance, daily health checks, and child information, in conjunction with the Lead Teacher.
• Be aware of children's records, medical needs, and allergies.
• Support participation in all center requirements, including conducting and recording Evacuation and Shelter-in-Place Drills, including procedures and routes.
• Maintain confidentiality throughout the program.
• Attend all assigned trainings and meetings and remain current on applicable requirements.
• Provide support in Food Service and the classroom.
• Notify the supervisor of any change in schedule, including arriving late, leaving early, or being unable to report to work.
• Work Monday through Friday and, as needed for programming and training, be available to work nights and weekends.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Safety Responsibilities

• Obey all safety rules, government regulations, signs, markings, and instructions.
• Become familiar with safety policies that apply directly to you in the area in which you work.
• Report unsafe or hazardous conditions to your supervisor.
• Refrain from any unsafe act that might endanger yourself, consumers, or fellow employees.
• Report all workplace accidents and incidents immediately to your supervisor.
• Practice good housekeeping by picking up tools and materials and returning them to their proper places.
• Compliance with safety and health rules and regulations is a condition of employment.

Qualifications

• Pass a background check upon hiring, including clear fingerprints, and pass a State Central Registry clearance check.
• Pass required background checks every five years.
• Submit a Medical Statement clearance form at the time of hiring.
• Demonstrate punctuality and good attendance, taking care to always fulfill proper classroom ratio responsibilities.
• Notify your supervisor of any absence if you are unable to report to work.
• Be available to work evenings, nights, and weekends.
• Work Monday through Friday following designated hours and weeks per year.
• Be willing to move to other classrooms and/or centers as needed.
• Be willing to work in center kitchens when needed.
• Obtain First Aid/CPR certification within 30 days of hire and/or MAT training within 90 days of hire.

Education/Experience

• High School Diploma or GED equivalent.

Medicaid Compliance

Medicaid fraud and abuse affects all New Yorkers by depleting valuable public funds meant to provide healthcare and health-related services to vulnerable citizens.

The New York State Office of the Medicaid Inspector General (OMIG) is a nationally recognized leader among Medicaid program integrity agencies. OMIG's recovery efforts and cost-containment initiatives save hundreds of millions of dollars in taxpayer funds each year.

Finger Lakes Community Action employees are required to assist OMIG in fighting fraud, waste, and abuse by reporting potentially suspicious behavior or incidents. The agency encourages anyone who observes instances of potential Medicaid fraud, waste, or abuse to contact OMIG's fraud hotline. Tips may be submitted anonymously, and OMIG investigates all reported information.

Employer's Disclaimer

• All requirements are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities.
• This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position. Employees will be required to