Child Care Provider

The Child Care Provider provides quality learning care for the children of participating parents who are developing leadership and strategies to increase their children's academic success. The Child Care Provider will occupy childcare slots during programs and prepare learning activities at SOMOS Mayfair events.

The Child Care Provider will also be tasked with integrating key early learning concepts into daily routines, supporting families in establishing at-home activities, and implementing a robust early learning engagement model. The child care provider reports directly to the Somos Mayfair Escuelita Program Coordinator and works alongside a strong team of Child Care Providers and Coordinators to develop strategies to increase early education opportunities in our communities and support the continued development of childcare literacy skills, resulting in increased school readiness and success.

The Child Care Provider will strengthen our impact on literacy and education work by working at SOMOS Mayfair's Escuelita, a learning space that promotes emotional enrichment, creativity, cognitive reasoning, socialization skills, autonomy, curiosity, and intrinsic motivation for learning in children. The provider practices warm, respectful, and responsive teaching methods to ensure we are nurturing the social and emotional needs of the children in our care.

Ideal Candidate Qualifications and Qualities

• Experience working in early childhood education, nutrition & family wellbeing programs
• Must be flexible and adaptable to meet the needs of the children and programming schedules
• Kind, humble, and collaborative
• Displays a positive attitude to every interaction and always sees the best in others
• Professional demeanor and skills with conflict resolution
• Willingness to participate in professional development opportunities

Key Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Able to work flexible hours, including some nights and weekends
• At least 9 completed Early Childhood Education units, transcripts will be required at time of hire or the equivalent
• Minimum of 3 years of verifiable experience working with children in structured settings such as schools, after-school programs, summer camps, or childcare
• Ability to interact with children in a respectful and nurturing manner
• Ability to support children with diverse needs, including neurodiversity, medical conditions, mobility challenges, and emotional or behavioral differences
• Basic proficiency with computers, including Google Workspace, Microsoft Office, email, internet browsing, and Zoom
• Basic ability to navigate digital timekeeping and payroll systems
• Bilingual/biliterate Spanish-English required
• Excellent oral and written communication skills and ability to communicate with a broad audience
• The physical demands described here are essential for an employee to successfully perform the essential job functions of this position:
  • Frequent use of hands to handle objects, tools, or controls
  • Regularly required to stand, walk, sit, and reach with arms
  • Occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds
  • Vision requirements include close vision, distance vision, and ability to adjust focus
• Able to move into low positions, see and hear clearly for safety, and actively engage in physical play with children
• Mandated Reporter Training certification required within 30 days of hire and renewed every 2 years or upon expiration
• CPR and First Aid Certification or willingness to obtain
• Valid California driver’s license and insurance required for work-related driving; reliable transportation required for the position.
• Required background fingerprint clearance
• Must be willing to provide TB test screening results

Duties and Responsibilities (approximate % of time)

Preparation for providing early learning care (30%)

• Planning curriculum and developing programming
• Be attuned to children's sensory and emotional needs
• Ensures the center, rooms, play areas and other sites where care is being delivered are maintained in a clean, orderly, and safe condition at all times
• Maintain appropriate staff levels to serve children participating in SOMOS programming in accordance with our desired ratio
• Engage with families and caregivers about their children’s development, abilities, and areas of growth
• Engage with families and caregivers in explaining program procedures/guidelines and classroom activities as needed
• Collaborate with a team of child care providers to ensure quality of teaching and engagement methods
• Maintain communication with SOMOS staff, partners and school district staff during child care services to participating families
• Ensure the registration process is followed and appropriate documents are available
• Maintain confidentiality and report any suspected abuse to supervisor

Quality Early Learning Environment (30%)

• Supervise and monitor the safety of children at all times
• Prepare healthy meals, organize mealtimes and snacks for children that meet FIRST 5 guidelines
• Support children in transitions using early learning best practices
• Help children keep good hygiene
• Sanitize toys and play equipment after each session
• Keep up-to-date on best practices regarding nutrition and food handling with young children
• Maintain a safe and healthy environment, including reporting damaged or lost materials
• Keep all appropriate records; attendance, accident reports and copies of registration forms in the Escuelita space
• Follow policies and procedures established by the organization to guide the operations of Escuelita

Support Early Learning Strategy (25%)

• Integrate FIRST 5 concepts (Habriendo Puertas, SEEDS, 24/7 Dad, etc) into daily learning routines and develop activities for different age ranges
• Develop schedules and routines to ensure that children have enough physical activity, rest, and playtime
• Observe for signs of emotional or developmental challenges in children and follow referral procedures
• Support children's emotional and social development, encouraging understanding of others and positive self-concepts
• Maintain open communication and cooperative relationships with parents to support them in establishing routines and support challenges at home
• Provide quality learning activities in a classroom environment as well as in community spaces where programming is delivered, such as schools, and other public spaces on an as needed basis

Supervision (5%)

• Work in partnership with the direct supervisor to troubleshoot or address any concerns that may arise through one on one’s
• Provide and receive constructive feedback from peers and staff at SOMOS Mayfair to ensure a strong and intentional early learning program

Administrative (10%)

• Participate in annual evaluations and professional development plans
• Attend all scheduled team meetings for child care providers
• Participate in organizational learning spaces
• Demonstrate behavior that is professional, ethical, and responsible
• Adapt to changing protocols or standards of quality implementation
• Maintain ongoing communication with supervisor regarding schedule and availability
• Read and respond to email communication during work hours