Childcare Worker

Drogheda Women's and Children's Refuge - The Playroom Project; Drogheda; On-site; EUR 31,000 - 37,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Training opportunities

HSF health fund

Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)

Job summary

Drogheda Women & Children’s Refuge CLG is seeking a Childcare Worker to deliver a high-quality, inclusive childcare service for women and children accessing refuge and support services in Drogheda.

You will plan and deliver a trauma-informed, play-based curriculum for children from birth to 14 years, maintain records, and work with families and multi‑disciplinary teams to promote wellbeing and development.

Qualifications

• Must hold a Level 7 qualification in Childcare/Early Years Education.
• At least two years' childcare experience.
• Experience with birth to 14 years.
• Knowledge of Children First guidance and relevant legislation.
• Ability to plan and evaluate a play-based curriculum (Aistear & Síolta).
• Ability to work in a domestic violence refuge setting.
• Strong record-keeping and IT skills.

Responsibilities

• Deliver high-quality, inclusive, child-centred childcare.
• Plan, implement and evaluate a play-based curriculum.
• Maintain records and contribute to assessments.
• Support trauma-informed practice and children's wellbeing.
• Work with families and external agencies.
• Ensure safeguarding and compliance.

Skills

Observational skills

Assessment skills

Administrative skills

IT literacy

Communication skills

Teamwork

Education

Level 7 childcare/early years

Job description

Job Title: Childcare Worker (Full time 37.5 hours per week)

Reporting to: Head of Childhood Support

Summary of the role:

Drogheda Women & Children’s Refuge (DWCR) is a voluntary organisation with over 25 years of working in the community, supporting women & children affected by domestic violence and homelessness. Collaborating with various organisations, we offer holistic support in Drogheda and Dublin Northeast. Our mission is to empower women and children from diverse backgrounds to live abuse-free lives by providing safe refuge, information, education, emotional & therapeutic support, advocacy, court accompaniment, and assistance in securing long term accommodation.

About the job

The Childcare Worker is responsible for delivering a high-quality, inclusive, and child-centred childcare service to children and families accessing refuge and community-based domestic abuse support services. The post holder will provide a safe, nurturing, and trauma-informed environment that promotes children’s wellbeing, development, learning, and recovery through play. The Childcare Worker will act as a positive role model and be responsible for planning, implementing, and evaluating a play-based curriculum in line with the national quality frameworks Aistear and Síolta. They will support children from infancy through to school age, ensuring that activities are developmentally appropriate and responsive to the individual needs and experiences of each child. The role requires strong observational, assessment, and administrative skills to document children’s learning and development, maintain accurate records, contribute to individual support plans, and ensure compliance with all relevant policies and procedures. The successful candidate will have a thorough understanding of the Child Care Act 1991 (as amended), Children First: National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children, Tusla Early Years Regulations, and other relevant legislation, standards, and quality frameworks governing early learning and care services. They will work collaboratively with families, colleagues, and external agencies to support positive outcomes for children and their families. The post holder will actively contribute to creating a safe, supportive, and empowering environment for women and children impacted by domestic abuse, promoting recovery, resilience, and healthy relationships. The Childcare Worker will work alongside the Child and Youth Services Team in delivering a range of DWCR group programmes and activities appropriate to the role, including Heart to Heart, Safe Steps, and Play & Stay Sessions, supporting children’s wellbeing, resilience, and recovery.

Location: Drogheda County Louth

Duties & Responsibilities

Direct Support and Intervention

• Conduct parent intake, assessment and induction meetings with women accessing services through DWCR to identify needs, support planning, and facilitate engagement with appropriate services.
• Work collaboratively with the Childcare Team to provide sessional and drop‑in childcare supports for children and families accessing DWCR services.
• Provide one‑to‑one childcare support to children while mothers attend key appointments and interventions, including meetings with the Support Team, court appearances, housing appointments, counselling sessions, and other activities identified within their support or care plan.
• Support children’s wellbeing, development, and participation through the provision of safe, nurturing, and trauma‑informed childcare practices.
• Maintain accurate records and contribute to assessments, support plans, and service reviews as required.

Child Development and Play

• Planning and implementing age‑appropriate activities.
• Supporting children’s emotional, social, cognitive and physical development.
• Creating nurturing play opportunities.
• Observing and recording children’s progress.

Trauma Informed Practice

• Supporting children affected by domestic abuse, homelessness and disadvantage.
• Promoting emotional regulation, resilience and recovery.
• Creating safe, predictable and secure environments.
• Supporting positive routines and transitions.

Parent and Family Support

• Supporting positive parent-child relationships.
• Modelling play and interaction strategies.
• Encouraging parental engagement in children’s learning and development.
• Providing information and guidance to parents where appropriate.

Group Work and Programme Delivery

Supporting delivery of DWCR programmes such as:

• Heart to Heart
• Safe Steps
• Play & Stay Sessions
• Holiday and therapeutic play programmes
• Assisting with community‑based family events and activities.

Safeguarding and Child Protection

• Adhering to Children First and organisational safeguarding policies.
• Reporting and recording child protection concerns.
• Contributing to risk assessments and safety planning.
• Ensuring children’s welfare remains paramount.

Teamwork

• Working closely with Child & Youth Services, Support Workers and Refuge staff.
• Participating in case management and service planning.
• Liaising with external agencies where required.
• Supporting integrated family‑centred practice.

Health and Safety

• Ensuring safe supervision of children.
• Following infection control, medication and health and safety procedures.
• Maintaining indoor and outdoor play environments.
• Conducting risk assessments where required.

Essential Criteria

• A minimum Level 7 qualification in Childcare/Early Years Education (or equivalent).
• A minimum of two years’ experience working in a childcare or early years setting.
• Experience working with children from birth to 14 years of age.
• Good knowledge of Children First: National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children, relevant childcare legislation, regulations, policies, and best practice standards.
• Ability to plan, implement, and evaluate a high-quality play-based curriculum in line with the national quality frameworks, including Aistear and Síolta.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a small, multidisciplinary team within a domestic violence refuge environment.
• Strong organisational, administrative, and record‑keeping skills, with good proficiency in IT systems.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build positive relationships and communicate professionally with children, parents, colleagues, and external stakeholders.
• A clear understanding of confidentiality, safeguarding, and professional boundaries.
• A commitment to providing a safe, nurturing, child‑centred, and trauma‑informed service to children and families affected by domestic violence and abuse.

Desirable Criteria

• Experience working with vulnerable children and families, including those affected by domestic violence, homelessness, trauma, or disadvantage.
• Training in areas such as child protection, trauma‑informed practice, therapeutic play, or special educational needs.
• Full clean driving licence and access to transport. (if applicable)

Key Competencies

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to engage children and young people empathetically.
• Commitment to equality, inclusion, and empowerment.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team.
• Excellent organisational, planning, and problem‑solving skills.
• Commitment to confidentiality, ethical practice, and professional boundaries.

Additional Information

• Garda Vetting is a mandatory requirement for this position.

Benefits of this position

• Training opportunities as required
• Opportunity to work with a progressive non‑profit organisation, helping to improve the lives of young people Drogheda
• Access to HSF low-cost health fund.
• EAP Programme
• The salary for this post is €34,067 per annum.
• This is a full-time position requiring 37.5 hours per week.
• The annual leave entitlement for this position is 24 days per annum, in addition to statutory public holidays.

APPLICATION PROCESS

The closing date for receipt of applications is Friday, 27th of November at 5pm

Drogheda Women & Children’s Refuge CLG is an equal opportunities employer.