School Aged Childcare Deputy Manager

Donegal; Carndonagh; On-site; EUR 43,000 - 46,000; Full time

Job summary

Donegal is seeking a Deputy Manager for School Aged Childcare in Carndonagh. The role combines leadership with hands-on child care, and requires QQI Level 7-8 in Early Years or equivalent along with 3 years in a lead practitioner role.

You will report to the Centre Manager and Directors and work 45 hours per week at a rate of €18.50 per hour. The Deputy Manager will oversee curriculum delivery, staff supervision, and compliance with Children First guidelines, while maintaining high standards of

Qualifications

• QQI Level 7-8 in Early Years or equivalent.
• 3 Years in a Lead Practitioner Role.

Responsibilities

• Deputy Manager will support the Centre Manager and Directors.
• Lead practice and ensure high quality care in line with Síolta, Aistear and relevant regulations.
• Manage staff, recruitment, training and performance in consultation with the Manager.
• Deliver a dynamic emergent curriculum and ensure safeguarding and child protection compliance.

Education

QQI Level 7-8 in Early Years

3 Years Lead Practitioner Role

Job description

• Carndonagh
• Hours of Work:

45

• Company / Business Name:
• Closing Date for Applications:

October 9, 2026

Job Description

Roles: School Aged Childcare Deputy Manager

Reporting to: Centre Manager & Company Directors

Essential Qualifications:

QQI 7-8 Early Years Graduate or Equivalent & 3 Years in a Lead Practitioner Role

Hours of Work: 45 Hours Per Week

Rate of Pay: €18.50 per hour

Deputy Manager means a worker who:

(i) is appointed by their employer to support the Manager. An appointed Deputy/Assistant Manager may also work directly with children in addition to their day-to-day managerial duties and responsibilities. They may deputise as the person in charge in the absence of the manager,

and

(ii) is wholly or mainly engaged in supporting the Manager with the day-to-day management duties and responsibilities of the Service.The Deputy/Assistant Manager may also work directly with children in addition to their day-to-day managerial duties and responsibilities. In the absence of the Manager, the Deputy/Assistant Manager may deputise as the person in charge of the service.

ERO Definition (September 2022)

MAIN JOB PURPOSE

To be the Deputy Manager and senior member of the team working as a Room Leader in the rooms. Combining the practitioner role with the management role and taking responsibility for ensuring high quality and best practice standards are maintained at the service. To work in close co-operation with the Manager and staff team

OVERALL DUTIES

To report to the Manager.

To act as Designated Person in charge in the absence of the Manager.

Be responsible in consultation with the Manager for recruitment, management, training, motivation and performance of all staff.

Ensure a dynamic emergent curriculum is delivered to meet the individual needs of children attending.

Monitor and ensure that all agreed quality and safety standards are maintained always.

Monitor all child protection issues; parents’ issues; complaints, near-misses, incidents and accidents to ensure that any necessary remedial action is taken immediately. Ensure all issues and actions are recorded. Report Child Protection concerns to the Tulsa Social Work Team using the Children First Guidelines.

Carry out the role in the absence of the Manager as

Designated Person in Charge for all parents, visitors and inspectors

Designated Child Protection Person for the service

Keep up to date on matters relating to school aged childcare care and education generally, i.e. media/emails, networking etc.

Establish, develop and maintain professional working relationships with all external agencies, including TUSLA; Dept of Education, Pobal, Environmental Health Office and the Early Intervention Team

To ensure the building is maintained to a high level of hygiene.

To be the Designated First Aid Person

To be the Deputy Designated Child Protection Liaison Person

To be the Designated Fire Safety Person

To be the Designated First Aid Person

To be the Designated Fire Safety Person

To be the Designated Fire Safety Person

To be the Designated First Aid Person

To be the Designated Fire Safety Person

To be available to the Early Years inspector, Pobal Inspector, Department of Education Inspector, and Environmental Health Inspector. If an inspection takes place and to ensure all appropriate information is supplied during the course of an inspection.

To ensure the closing of the School Aged Childcare classes Monday to Friday at 6:30pm.

CHILDREN

To work in a room as relief worker when staff are absent.

To ensure that all practice is child directed.

To work with existing staff to provide a team approach to delivery of care and education of the highest standard, acting as a positive role model and to provide leadership to all the staff with reference to Síolta and Aistear.

To ensure the protection of children in accordance with Children First: National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children.

To ensure developmental observations and Aistear assessments are carried out on children and recorded appropriately.

To ensure that an appropriate care plan is developed for children with additional needs.

Ensure that the curriculum and activities carried out suitably meet the developmental needs of the children

Ensure the curriculum is age and stage appropriate and promotes the children’s’ development within the in-door and outdoor environment.

Ensure that all practice is child-centred and responsive to the individual needs of children

Have a comprehensive knowledge and understanding of equality issues and different customs, cultures, and family structures and to ensure that equality and diversity is recognised and celebrated through the curriculum

Ensure that developmental programmes for each child are implemented based on the observations in each of the rooms

Ensure that observations are used to develop individual learning plans for each child and to ensure that the unique needs of each child is reflected in the curriculum programme.

Develop quality improvement strategies within the service to enhance the quality of experiences for all children and staff.

Ensure that all elements of the work are delivered within the remit of the Child Care Act 1991 [Early Years Services] Regulations 2016, and [School Age Services] Regulations 2018, Síolta, the National Quality Framework, Aistear, the National Curriculum and the National Standards for Preschool Services and any other legal or best practice standards.

STAFF

Provide direction and support to the other Childcare Practitioners in relation to practice – the curriculum, transitions, routines,

To ensure the staff: child ratios are compliant with the most current Early Years and School Aged Childcare Services Regulations.

To assist in directing and supporting students.

To encourage staff to maintain a good working atmosphere in the service.

To deal with non-performing staff in accordance with the policies and procedures

Undertake regular review meetings with all staff and monitor their performance.

In consultation with the Manager, to be responsible for the well-being of staff ensuring that disciplinary and grievance procedures are adhered to in line with legislation.

Monitor staffing levels, ensuring the service is appropriately staffed daily.

To manage rotas, breaks and lunch breaks.

To assist in directing and supporting students.

To encourage staff to maintain a good working atmosphere.

Support staff in delivering quality service with a strong emphasis on child development and social inclusion.

To ensure the staff: child ratios are compliant with the School Age Services Regulations 2018

Develop and maintain a ‘Best Practice’ culture as outlined in Síolta, Aistear

Act as a positive role model and provide leadership to the staff in relation to all elements of childcare practice so that they can effectively fulfil their roles within the school aged childcare services.

MANAGEMENT / ADMINISTRATION

To make, in the absence of the Manager, appropriate decisions and take appropriate actions in relation to the efficient running of the service.

Maintain and update necessary records in compliance with the School Age Services Regulations 2018

To record any incidents or accidents

To record any fees paid

To ensure that all policies and procedures [childcare, employment, and health and safety] of the school aged childcare services are implemented and updated as required.

To ensure that the Childcare Policies and Procedures for the Centre are reviewed and updated as required.

To record any visitors or phone calls

To maintain up to date necessary records in compliance

To monitor staff attendance

HEALTH AND SAFETY

To be responsible for the health, safety and well-being of the children

To bring to the attention of the Compliance Manager & Manager any possible hazards or risks.

Ensure that care rooms comply with Tusla regulation compliance

PARENTS / GUARDIANS

To promote the service by giving a good professional image to parents and visitors.

To meet parents, when necessary

To ensure staff members greet and meet parents in an appropriate manner.

To ensure feedback is given to parents in a constructive and encouraging manner.

Manage and organise regular welcome evening sessions and provide information sought from parents/guardians during these sessions. Where necessary follow up with these queries raised at a later date.

TRAINING AND MEETINGS

To attend and participate in any meetings [Management, Staff] or training (e.g., First Aid, Manual Handling) as required.

To encourage other staff members to participate in training or staff meetings.

FLEXIBILITY

To be flexible in your approach

To carry out self-directed training on own time to fulfill role obligations

COMMUNICATION

To communicate with all relevant personnel, frequently, in a straightforward, accurate and professional manner

External Communications

Together with the Centre Manager to represent the service in a positive way at events

To liaise with external agencies/ personnel as appropriate (PHN, special needs organisations, national voluntary agencies etc.) as required.

To engage in networking as a business development strategy.

CONFIDENTIALITY

The person appointed to this job shall not during the period of employment or at any time after the termination of employment disclose any confidential information in respect of the employer or information relating to the work, children, parents or staff participating or working in the service.

OTHER DUTIES

To be knowledgeable of all policies and procedures and ensure the staff team follow them.

To do a site walk in the morning and evenings as well as other times during the day time permitting] to ensure both inside and outside of the building are in perfect order and children and staff are safe.

This job description may be reviewed, updated and/or amended from time to time in line with the needs of the service and as required by the Manager.

Qualifications Required

QQI level 7-8 in Childcare or equivalent.

Experience Required

3 Years in a Lead Practitioner Role