After School Child Care in Palmyra, Maine at Hometown Health Center

Position Title: After School Childcare Staff

Department: Childcare Center

Reports To: Childcare Director

Supervises: N/A

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Last Revised/Approved: March 25, 2026

POSITION SUMMARY

The After School Childcare staff position is responsible for creating a safe, engaging, and developmentally appropriate environment in the classroom. This position is responsible for planning and leading educational and recreational activities for school age children. Open and clear communication is essential in this role as you work cooperatively with additional staff.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES

· Create and implement engaging activities for school-age children

· Create and maintain a safe, clean, and nurturing classroom environment at all times

· Anticipate and respond to the individual needs of each child with care and attentiveness

· Communicate with the childcare director about any questions or concerns

· Maintain a positive, professional tone that fosters a supportive and collaborative dynamic

· Communicate daily with the childcare director regarding any updates or needs relating to children in the classroom

· Build strong relationships with children, families, and team members through positive and open communication

· Ensure all licensing regulations and center policies are followed consistently

· Monitor supplies and notify director when cleaning materials, or operational items need to be replenished.

· Maintain professional communication with families

· Ability to lead a group of children independently as well as with a co-teacher

· Participate in bi-monthly staff meetings, all safety program training, drills and education sessions AND may include assignment to an emergency response team.

· Complete all DHHS training requirements

NON-ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

COMPETENCIES

· Demonstrates a strong understanding of child development and applies developmentally appropriate practices

· Communicates clearly, professionally, and consistently with families and colleagues

· Anticipates children’s needs and responds promptly with care, patience, and attentiveness

· Maintains a safe, organized, and nurturing environment that supports learning and development

· Exhibits a positive attitude, reliability, and a strong work ethic; serves as a role model for children and staff

· Builds trusting, respectful relationships with children, families, and team members

· Adjusts to the dynamic needs of children and the classroom while remaining calm and flexible

· Ensures compliance with licensing regulations, health and safety standards, and center policies

· Reliability and dependability through consistent attendance, providing stability for children in care.

· Professionalism in appearance, behavior, and confidentiality while representing the childcare center in a respectful and appropriate manner.

· Flexibility and adaptability with the ability to adjust to changing schedules, and priorities as the children require.

QUALIFICATIONS NEEDED FOR POSITION

The following experience and skills are considered essential:

· Be at least 18 years old

· Must have a high school diploma or equivalent

· The ability and willingness to comply with all applicable laws and rules

· The ability to provide safe and compassionate services

· A history of honest and lawful conduct

· Exercise good judgment in the handling of Children, demonstrate consistent compliance with this rule and all relevant laws, and must not engage in any action or practice detrimental to the welfare of the Children.

· Successfully pass DHHS background checks

EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS

The following education requirements are considered essential:

· High school diploma or equivalent required; an associate or bachelor’s degree in child development, early childhood education, or a related field preferred.

· CPR/First Aid Certification, or willingness to obtain.

· Registered with Maine Roads to Quality professional development network or willingness to become registered and complete required trainings

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

The physical requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by the incumbent to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

· Ability to sit on the floor, bend, squat, kneel, and stand for extended periods of time as it is expected that the lead teacher is on the floor actively engaging with children

· Frequent reaching, lifting, and moving throughout the classroom

· Ability to safely respond quickly to children’s needs in a variety of situations

· Capability to perform routine cleaning tasks, including sanitizing surfaces and maintaining a clean environment

· Ability to work both indoors and outdoors in varying weather conditions

WORKING CONDITIONS

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those the incumbent encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The work involves continuous supervision of children with limited downtime, frequent multitasking, and the ability to quickly shift priorities in response to children’s needs. Daily responsibilities include active play, creating and implementing activities, feeding children and supporting routines. The incumbent must adhere to all state licensing regulations, health and safety standards, and center policies, while maintaining ongoing communication with families throughout the day. Participation in staff meetings, trainings, and professional development is expected, and flexibility is required to provide coverage in other classrooms or support roles as needed.

External and internal applicants, as well as position incumbents who become disabled as defined under the Americans With Disabilities Act, must be able to perform the essential job functions (as listed) either unaided or with the assistance of a reasonable accommodation to be determined by management on a case by case basis.

The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and the employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.

EMPLOYEE ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I have received a copy of my job description and can perform the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodation.

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Employee’s Signature Date

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Print Name

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Supervisor’s Signature Date

Hometown Health Center is an equal opportunity provider and employer and is an FTCA deemed facility.