Job title: Play and Information Officer

Reports to: Early Years Initiative Project Manager

Responsible to: Kildare County Childcare Committee Board and CEO

About Kildare County Childcare Committee

Founded in 2002, Kildare County Childcare Committee (KCCC) is committed to supporting the development and delivery of quality childcare services throughout County Kildare. The organisation is funded by the Department of Children, Disability, and Equality (DCDE) and the Early Years Initiative Project, and is funded by the Children & Young People’s Services Committee (CYPSC). Emphasising a child-centered approach, KCCC prioritises the welfare, inclusivity, and respect of all children and families. The organisation values diversity within local communities and actively promotes equal access and participation for every child and family within the community.

Main Job Purpose:

The Early Years Play and Information Officer will be a member of the Early Years Initiative team. They will support existing parent and toddler groups in Kildare. Develop new groups, particularly within Roma and Traveller families, as well as children and families living in emergency accommodation. The Play and Information role will focus on creating engaging play opportunities for children and providing information and guidance to families on early years childcare services, including national childcare subsidies and schemes such as ECCE and AIM.

Main Duties

• Deliver inclusive parent & child stay-and-play sessions in emergency accommodations, fostering children’s curiosity and encouraging active parental participation through responsive, child-led play.
• Facilitate high-quality play experiences that promote children’s development and engagement.
• Support parents in understanding the benefits of play, empowering them to actively support their children's early play experiences.
• Provide families with information on childcare services, subsidies, and schemes such as ECCE and AIM.
• Assist in the organisation and promotion of parent and toddler groups within the Kildare community, including set-up, distribution of promotional materials, and supporting the coordination of activities.
• Distribute resources such as ‘My Place to Play’ and toddler packs to vulnerable families, including those in emergency accommodation, and gather feedback to inform service improvements.
• Record relevant statistics and data to evaluate the effectiveness of programmes, enabling measurement of the impact our work makes on children and families.
• Uphold safeguarding, child protection, and confidentiality standards at all times.
• Build and maintain strong partnerships with local agencies and community organisations to support early years initiatives.

NOTE: This Job Description will be reviewed from time to time and updated in line with the needs of the work in relation to this position in KCCC.

Person Specification:

Essential Criteria

• A minimum QQI level 7 qualification in Early Years Education and Care/ Social Care/ Early Intervention and Prevention/community development.
• A full and clean driver’s license and access to a car.
• Experience working with children and families.
• Demonstrated experience of building positive professional relationships with multicultural families.
• A clear understanding of the benefits of play for children and families.
• Excellent communication skills, including good interpersonal skills, and the ability to liaise with a wide range of contacts and build and maintain effective working relationships.
• Excellent organisational skills and an ability to undertake work requiring accuracy and attention to detail.
• Excellent IT and administrative abilities, including experience in report writing, including word and Excel.
• Ability to be proactive, use own initiative and work effectively within a pressurised environment.
• Awareness of trauma informed practices and ability to use an anti-bias approach.

Desirable But Not Essential

• Work Experience in emergency accommodation centres or areas of social and economic disadvantage.
• Knowledge of inclusive and /or trauma informed practice or play therapy.

REQUIREMENTS OF ALL KCCC STAFF:

• Be committed to the purpose and interests of KCCC.
• To work in accordance with the KCCC Mission Statement and ethos and within the codes of good practice that apply.
• Actively engage and participate in support and supervision sessions, annual appraisals, training or other such activities that may be required.
• Take responsibility for your professional development by undertaking relevant training and upskilling opportunities to ensure you remain well-informed and effective in your role.
• Actively participate in staff meetings and reviews of the work of KCCC.
• Be flexible in relation to hours of attendance to meet the needs of the work. (Work during unsocial hours may be required).
• Be committed to teamwork and be flexible in relation to taking on additional duties which may be required from time to time to meet team targets.
• Be vigilant to any Safety, Health and Welfare hazards/risks in the workplace and bring any concerns to the attention of your Line Manager or the nominated Health & Safety Representative.
• Participate in the efficient flow of information within KCCC by sharing and seeking information as appropriate.
• Work in a confidential and professional manner always.
• Staff may be required to take on nominated roles within the organisation such as Child Protection Person, Health & Safety Officer, First Aid Officer, Fire Safety Officer as appropriate and agreed with the Manager.

How to Apply:

Please submit your application by filling out the application form no later than Thursday 18 September 2025 at 4:00 PM.

Interview Date: Interviews will be held on Friday, 26 September 2025.

Nature of Employment:

• 35 hours per week. This contract is conditional on the award of funding, (all contracts are subject to funding)
• The successful candidate will be Garda Vetted
• Kildare County Childcare Committee is an equal opportunity employer

• Salary Scale aligned to Local Authority 4.1 https://www.forsa.ie/pay-scales/local-government-salary-scales/