Early Years Assistant Tutor at Palm Spring Preparatory School

Job Description

• Assisting with daily routines: You help with activities such as meal times, nap times, and toileting. Ensuring that children are comfortable and their basic needs are met is crucial in this role.
• Organizing and supervising play activities: You engage children in age-appropriate play and learning activities that encourage their development and social interaction.
• Providing emotional support: Young children often need comfort and reassurance. As an early years assistant, you offer emotional support to children, providing a caring and compassionate presence.
• Assisting with curriculum implementation: You support the implementation of the early years curriculum, helping to plan and organize activities that align with learning objectives.
• Observing and recording children's progress: You observe and take note of children's behavior, interactions, and developmental milestones. This information helps teachers and parents understand each child's progress.
• Supporting children with special needs: If there are children with special needs in the setting, you may work closely with them to provide appropriate support and accommodations.
• Maintaining a safe environment: Safety is paramount in any childcare setting. You ensure that the environment is safe and secure, identifying and resolving any potential hazards.
• Communicating with parents and caregivers: You maintain open lines of communication with parents or caregivers, updating them on their child's progress, sharing any concerns, and fostering a collaborative relationship.
• Assisting with record-keeping and administrative tasks: You may be responsible for maintaining attendance records, updating learning materials, and helping with general administrative duties.
• Participating in staff meetings and training: As part of the early years team, you attend staff meetings, professional development sessions, and training workshops to stay updated on best practices and policies.
• Fostering a positive learning environment: You contribute to creating a positive and inclusive atmosphere where children feel valued, respected, and encouraged to explore and learn.

Skills

• Patience: Working with young children requires a high level of patience. You need to be understanding and supportive, especially when children are learning new skills or facing challenges.
• Communication: Clear and effective communication is crucial in this role. You must be able to communicate with children at their level, as well as effectively convey information to parents and colleagues.
• Creativity: Coming up with engaging and imaginative activities is essential to keep young children interested and motivated in learning.
• Empathy: Understanding and empathizing with the emotions and needs of young children will help you provide appropriate support and care.
• Flexibility: Each child is unique, and what works for one may not work for another. Being flexible in your approach to teaching and caregiving is important.
• Organizational skills: Managing multiple tasks, keeping learning materials organized, and maintaining records require good organizational abilities.
• Observation: You need to be attentive to children's behavior, interactions, and progress to identify their strengths and areas where they may need additional help.
• Teamwork: Early years settings often involve collaboration with other educators and staff members. Being a team player is essential for a smooth and cohesive learning environment.
• Calm under pressure: Young children can be unpredictable, and situations may arise that require a calm and composed response.
• Knowledge of child development: Understanding the stages of child development and developmental milestones helps you tailor your approach to each child's needs.
• Safety awareness: Ensuring the safety and well-being of children is of utmost importance, so being vigilant and safety-conscious is vital.
• Play facilitation: Play is a crucial aspect of early childhood learning. Knowing how to engage and facilitate meaningful play experiences is valuable.
• Positive reinforcement: Providing encouragement and positive reinforcement can motivate children and boost their self-esteem.
• Basic first aid knowledge: Having basic first aid skills can be beneficial in handling minor accidents or injuries that may occur in a childcare setting.
• Resilience: Working with young children can be rewarding but also challenging. Resilience will help you navigate the ups and downs of the role.

Education/Experience

• NCE and any relevant certification
• A minimum of four to six years of relevant teaching experience
• Cambridge Experience/Certifications is required