Children's Program Volunteer

Join Women in Charge as a Children's Program Volunteer and play a vital role in supporting our participants by providing quality care and enriching experiences for their children. This is a unique opportunity to contribute directly to the well-being of families in our community. Due to the varying attendance of children, this program will be primarily supported by dedicated volunteers in this new season. Depending on the number of children in the program, volunteer shifts may be of more of an on-call nature, with a minimum of 48 hours notice when a volunteer is needed.

Responsibilities:

• Provide a safe, welcoming, and nurturing environment for children aged 1 to 5 years.
• Supervise and engage children in age-appropriate activities, including free play, games, art projects, and music activities.
• Foster positive social interactions and encourage cooperative play among children.
• Assist in establishing and maintaining a consistent and predictable routine for the children to promote a sense of security and comfort.
• Support the development of basic social and emotional skills in young children.
• Demonstrate flexibility and creativity in arranging activities and designated play areas within a small physical space to accommodate multiple children.
• Maintain the children's area by ensuring it is clean, organized, and safe. This includes tidying toys and supplies after use.
• Optional: Program Development & Coordination:
  • Contribute to the development and implementation of engaging and age-appropriate activities and curriculum for the children's program, keeping in mind the limitations of the small space.
  • Identify and secure necessary program supplies and toys within a limited budget or through community resources such as Buy Nothing groups and other giveaway opportunities, prioritizing items suitable for a smaller environment.
  • Organize and maintain an inventory of children's program supplies, optimizing storage in the limited space.

Qualifications and Requirements:

• Genuine interest in working with young children and a desire to create a positive experience for them.
• Patience, enthusiasm, and a positive attitude.
• Ability to engage with children of various ages and developmental stages.
• Flexibility and creativity in adapting activities and utilizing limited space effectively.
• Reliability and punctuality in committing to volunteer shifts.
• Availability during HiSET class times: Monday - Thursday, 9:00 AM - 12:30 PM or during ESL tutoring sessions, typically held Monday - Thursday, 12:30 PM - 2:30 PM.
• Ability to commit to at least one 1.5-2 hour shift per week. The possibility of splitting a full 3.5-hour shift may be available.
• Interest in developing educational and social learning opportunities for young children is desirable.
• Background in childcare or early childhood education is ideal but not required.
• Strong organizational skills and resourcefulness are beneficial for those interested in program development, especially in a space-conscious manner.
• Successful completion of the Women in Charge volunteer application and interview process.
• Successful completion of a background check (volunteer will be responsible for covering the associated cost).