Hiring an Assistant...

[grandmom]

Beyond experience, and can you work with the person I'd look for two additional things.

1. Honesty. Can you trust this person to tell you the truth. And to tell the truth about you.

2. Modesty. Does this person have body parts and body art hanging out. I am a very conservative dresser and expect the same of my employees. No low cuts or high cuts. It's inappropriate for the children and for the parents to have to look at, or avoid looking at.

I'd suggest having a working interview. Yes you have to pay the person but you can see how the interact with children.

[daycare]

Ok so I got a new computer and am having a hard time finding my files..

I hired off of referals from people that I know. I did not want a complete stranger because these people are in my house, they know all about my private home life and they will be around my family. Just so you know, nothing is a secret in my house when you have employees. They get to see everything that I see every day that goes on in my home.

I would suggest talking to people you know and see if you can get a referral.

Here is my job description, I show this to them at the interview...




The Daycare and Preschool is in search of a Part Time Daycare Assistant. This caring and enthusiastic professional will assist the Lead Teacher with daily lesson plans, as well as support the healthy development of children from 20 months to 5 years of age.
Duties: Responsibilities include:
Daily care for all children in attendance (diapering, feeding, educating, safety, etc)
• Assist the lead caregivers in implementing lesson plans
• Supervise indoor and outdoor free play
• Clean and keep playroom area organized
Additional responsibilities include:
• Follow a daily schedule and implement prepped activities
• Keep children engaged during activities and lessons
• Make activities interactive between teacher and child
• Take initiative when appropriate
• Improvise when needed
• Chaperone on field trips when needed
• Ability to maintain a professional attitude and appearance
• Multitask
• Maintain Confidentially agreement for protection of all children and families
Working environment:
The usual and customary methods of performing the job's functions require the following physical demands:
• Ability to lift a maximum of 60lbs
• carrying, pushing, and/or pulling
• significant stooping, kneeling, crouching, and/or crawling
• Able to deal with crying children/temper tantrums
Generally the job requires 25% sitting, 25% walking, and 50% standing. The job is performed under conditions with exposure to risk of injury and/or illness.
Qualifications: Ideal candidates will have the following:
• Prior preschool classroom or in-home daycare experience with this age group is preferred, willing to train the right person.
• Demonstrated knowledge of developmentally appropriate practices
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Exhibit exceptional effort in flexibility and dependability
• Possess a willingness to learn
• Able to work overtime if needed
Candidates must be able to provide all state required documents:
• Proof of age (over 18)
• Criminal History Check
• Substance abuse test
• TB test
• First Aid certificate (current or to be completed within 90 days of hire)
• CPR for infant/child (current or to be completed within 30 days of hire)

[daycare]

This is my afternoon asst that comes during nap time only....


Full kitchen clean up Daily
• Dishes washed, dried and put away
• Counters cleaned
• Floor swept
• All food is put away
• All tables cleaned
• No food left out of any kind. Put all food away and make sure is placed in the cooler with appropriate lid.
• Wipe out the microwave any spills, clean outside
• Any supplies left on the counter such a paint, toys etc to be cleaned and placed in their appropriate place.
• High-chair sprayed and cleaned
• Check floor for large food and throw away.

Monday
• Wipe down all chairs and tables. Be sure to wipe down the legs and under the tables completely.
• Clean out Cooler Box, wipe all spills, check for old food and dump
• Wash and dry the containers taken from the cooler
• Spray and clean outside of the cooler
• Bathroom Restock-
• Cut Paper for diaper changes enough for one week
• Check to make sure each child has enough diapers in their box
• Check to see if there are enough gloves available
• Do we have enough wipes
• Toilet paper
• Wipe down counter, use all purpose bleach spray. Wipe away access water
• Check to make sure enough hand towels are stocked
• Wash the basket of hand towels in hot water with bleach solution
If child is out of cubby supplies or diapers use a restocking notification slip and hang from child’s cubby box for the parent to take home. Make sure that you are clear about what is needed to be brought back by the parents and when. Place a copy of the request slip on Noha’s Desk.

Wednesday
• Clear all shelves, spray and wipe clean
• Organize any art/papers needed
• Re-organize books, felt board stories and puzzles
• Make sure all puzzles are in the correct box/board
• Clean fish tank
• Wipe clean entry way
• Load pictures for website from weeks activities thus far
Help organize curriculum as needed, Preform other jobs as needed

[KidGrind]

$13 an hour? I'm in the wrong part of the profession .

I don't even make that! I don't even make HALF that. Can I come be your assistant?

As a substitute, I made an average of $25 per hour. $13 is a great rate.

[TwinKristi]

And when I worked at a high end fitness center "Playcare" I was started at $8.50 and asked for $10 because I was considered a supervisor. I only worked 2 days a week but I felt it was only right since the other 2 supervisors were getting that and I was running a PNO event once a month. Even though it's not an actual daycare center, it was very much like one but in a speed dating version. Every 2hrs you switch to a new set of kids. Some transitioning, some only there once, some come daily. I don't wanna say it was harder but some aspects were harder than home daycare. Anyway, it was a job worth more than the pay for sure!!

[Josiegirl]

Speaking of assistants

A woman called me that runs a state subsidized program. I can get someone in here for the summer months, paid for by the state. It would allow me to have all my school age children back. I wasn't going to do it but might be changing my mind. I may need to bank that extra income for the fall because who knows what my enrollment will be like then.
I'm just extremely nervous about it. I always feel so judged anyways and then to have someone come in here, observe, scrutinize all that I do and the way I do it. It might be someone from a local center and I know I operate way differently.
Anyone want to offer reasons why I should/shouldn't? I'm pretty sure the state has them do the background check and takes care of all that. Of course, I'd sit down with the coordinator and the person and discuss everything.
I need to call her back today.
I appreciate all your words of wisdom!! Oh, take into account that I've never worked with anyone here, except my 21 dd.

Oops, I'm sorry, I thought I made a new topic!! Didn't mean to add my questions here.

[Play Care]

$13 an hour? I'm in the wrong part of the profession .

I don't even make that! I don't even make HALF that. Can I come be your assistant?

I pay mine well, but I expect her (the main one) to pretty much run the program so I don't have to be here. I also don't have her here all day, so even though she is paid well hourly, it doesn't come out to a huge amount each week. I found when I paid minimum wage I got cruddy help. Both my assistants have degrees, and the main one is a former Kindergarten teacher.

[NoMoreJuice!]

Thanks for the job description and chore list, Daycare! That will help a ton!! I was struggling to figure out all of that. And thanks for posting about Nannyde's blog...I had no idea she wrote all of that helpful stuff! She's amazingly detailed!!

Thanks everyone for the help...the more prepared I feel, the less nervous I get. I have two interviews tonight and two tomorrow, but I have a great feeling about a particular one tonight.

[daycare]

Thanks for the job description and chore list, Daycare! That will help a ton!! I was struggling to figure out all of that. And thanks for posting about Nannyde's blog...I had no idea she wrote all of that helpful stuff! She's amazingly detailed!!

Thanks everyone for the help...the more prepared I feel, the less nervous I get. I have two interviews tonight and two tomorrow, but I have a great feeling about a particular one tonight.

I have more. I just am struggle to find it.
I'll post it when I find