Deputy Manager

Job Description

Post: Deputy Childcare Manager (Level 5 Qualified or in training)

Responsible to: Managing Director

Wee Chicks Fitness CIC / Wee Chicks Lts is located in Women’sTec, 29 Chichester Avenue, Belfast, BT155EH. As one of our strategic business units is a Pop-Up childcare service, occasionally staff may be required to work in different locations in order to meet the needs of the business. 

*All staff are required to make their own way to work.

Main purpose of Job:

The post holder will be required to supervise the fun room and /or Pop-Up service. They will be responsible for the day to day operations of the venue in partnership with the childcare Manager. The post holder will carry out the managerial function in the absence of the Manager.

Main Responsibilities:

• To be responsible for childcare in the absence of the Manager
• To be responsible for the day to day operations of the fun room or the mobile creche facility in conjunction with the childcare Manager.
• To ensure the protection, safety and well-being of children at all times.
• To carry out the supervisory role within the fun room & after schools club or mobile creche
• To ensure the room meets all legal and operational requirements.
• To ensure that the registered childcare & mobile facility operates within its policies and procedures.
• To effectively deliver the curriculum for 0-4 year olds, using the EYFS framework and to ensure effective delivery of programmes using the playwork principles.
• To work in partnership with statutory, community, voluntary and private organisations to support the provision of a high quality childcare service and to ensure the requirements of service contracts and funder's are fulfilled.
• To contribute to the creation, maintenance and improvement of a child centred environment.
• To support and supervise staff on a day-to-day basis and carry out regular staff appraisals and supervision and back to work interviews.
• To collect and complete appropriate administration for income, and petty cash.
• To assist in the production of management reports and attend meetings as deemed appropriate.
• To support the childcare Manager in the effective recruitment and induction of new staff,
• To ensure the childcare facility is staffed to required levels at all times
• To provide effective leadership and management of the team
• To support each child by providing a stimulating and varied programme of play, in order to enhance each child’s abilities; and in a way which ensure the safety and well being of children at all times.
• To integrate with other staff including management, in order to ensure a team working environment.  
• To keep strictly confidential any personal information regarding the children, their families or other staff. Such information should only be passed on in the interests of the individual and only to the Childcare Manager in accordance with GDPR.
• Organising of Rota Schedule.

Main Duties:

• Assist the Manager in providing effective day-to-day running of the childcare unit
• Managing, leading and supervising a team of childcare staff, volunteers and trainees.
• Assist the Manager in the collection and accounting of monies.
• To listen to, encourage, enable, stimulate and ensure the well being of children placed in the unit.
• To prepare and fully set out the fun room or mobile creche before the children arrive and tidy it up after the children leave.
• To keep up-to-date records as stipulated by social services and the requirements of the management.
• In conjunction with the Childcare Manager, to contribute to the creation, maintenance and improvement of a child centred environment.
• To implement the standards laid down in the childcare policies and procedures.
• To assist the Childcare Manager in promoting Equal Opportunities within the childcare facilities.
• To work alongside parents/carers of special needs children to achieve full integration within the childcare facilities.
• Undertake certain domestic duties within the childcare facilities, i.e. preparation of snacks, cleansing of equipment.
• Work alongside the Childcare Manager and staff team to ensure that the philosophy behind the childcare facilities is fulfilled.
• To keep strictly confidential any personal information regarding the children, their families or other staff, which is learnt as part of the job.  Such information should only be passed on in the interests of the individual and only to the Childcare Manager.
• Undertake other duties, which may be requested from time to time by the Childcare Manager.
• To work within the Mission, Vision and values of Wee Chicks.
• To carry out general administrative duties; emails, afterschool collections - adding and checking children with corresponding dates, staff collection rota. *Training will be provided.
• To be responsible for management of petty cash and cash handling.
• To carry out supervisions for Level 3 Childcare Assistants.

Personal Specification

               Essential Criteria:

• **Must have MIN 2 years experience.
• **Must drive and have access to own car.
   
• Minimum of QCF level 5 in Leadership for Children’s care Learning and Development or working towards, or degree in nursing, childcare studies or similar;
• Experience in a Deputy Manager/Manager role in a day-care setting.
• Experience supervising a childcare room.
• Must be able to drive and have access to own transport.
• Statuary Training up to date.
• Exceptional Organisational Skills.
• Knowledge of ICT packages.
• A flexible approach to working hours.
• Ability to lead and work as part of a team.