PRN / On Call Substitute

Position Summary

The Sunnyside Academy is expanding our substitute pool and is seeking multiple dependable individuals interested in flexible, as needed employment within our early childhood program.

PRN / On-Call Substitutes provide additional staffing support when regularly scheduled employees are absent and the center's regularly scheduled Building Substitute or other available staff are already assigned.

This is an excellent opportunity for individuals who enjoy working with children but are not seeking a regularly scheduled full-time position. PRN Substitutes have the flexibility to accept available assignments based on their own schedules while providing valuable support to our classrooms and educators.

There is no expectation that a PRN Substitute will be available for every offered assignment. The purpose of maintaining a substitute pool is to have multiple qualified individuals available so that the center can contact or schedule an available substitute when additional coverage is needed.

Previous childcare experience and Early Childhood Education coursework are preferred but are not required.

How the Substitute Pool Works

The Sunnyside Academy intends to maintain a pool of PRN Substitutes rather than relying on one individual to be available for every staffing need.

Substitute opportunities may become available in two ways:

Scheduled Absences

- PRN Substitutes will have access to a calendar containing available substitute opportunities for known employee absences.

- Available assignments may include employee vacation, appointments, training, planned leave, or other scheduled absences.

- Members of the substitute pool may review available opportunities and accept assignments that work with their schedules.

- Once a substitute accepts an assignment, the employee is expected to treat that assignment as a scheduled work commitment and report as agreed.

Unscheduled Absences

- When an unexpected employee absence creates an additional staffing need, members of the substitute pool may be contacted to determine whether anyone is available to provide coverage.

- Employees are not expected to guarantee availability for every unexpected request. If one substitute is unavailable, the center may contact another member of the substitute pool.

- Consistent communication and reliability after accepting an assignment are important expectations of this position.

Scheduling & Hours

This is an as needed position with no guaranteed minimum number of hours.  PRN Substitutes may choose to accept available assignments based on their availability.

Assignments may vary in:

• Number of hours
• Start and end times
• Classroom
• Age group
• Day of the week
• Frequency

Depending on the employee being covered, assignments may include opening, mid-day, or closing shifts.

The amount of work available will vary based on employee absences, enrollment, staffing, training schedules, and other center needs.

An employee may accept frequent assignments when available or remain an occasional member of the substitute pool, provided all applicable employment and training requirements are maintained.

Classroom Responsibilities

When accepting a classroom assignment, a PRN Substitute assumes the responsibilities associated with providing safe and appropriate care to the children assigned to them.

Depending on the classroom, responsibilities may include:

• Maintaining active supervision of children.
• Maintaining required staff to child ratios.
• Following the classroom's established schedule and routines.
• Participating in classroom activities and learning experiences.
• Supervising indoor and outdoor play.
• Supporting children during transitions.
• Assisting with meals and snacks.
• Changing diapers and pull ups.
• Supporting toilet learning and responding to toileting accidents.
• Assisting children with personal care and hygiene.
• Supporting rest and nap periods.
• Cleaning and sanitizing classroom areas.
• Responding appropriately to children's emotional and developmental needs.
• Following positive guidance practices.
• Following applicable allergy, dietary, medical, and individual care information.
• Completing other routine responsibilities associated with the classroom assignment.

PRN Substitutes may work with infants, toddlers, two-year-olds, preschool or PreK children, and other age groups served by the center.

Employees must be willing to perform the routine care responsibilities associated with the classroom assignment they accept.

Active Supervision & Child Safety

PRN Substitutes are held to the same supervision and child safety expectations as regularly scheduled classroom employees while responsible for children.

Employees must:

• Maintain active supervision at all times.
• Know the number of children assigned to their care.
• Remain aware of children's locations and activities.
• Follow required staff to child ratios.
• Follow classroom and center safety procedures.
• Respond promptly to children's needs.
• Follow applicable health, sanitation, and licensing requirements.
• Promptly report injuries, incidents, safety concerns, or concerns regarding a child according to center procedures.

Personal cell phones, smart devices, and other personal electronics may not be used while supervising children or while counted within required staff to child ratios, except when specifically authorized for an emergency or legitimate work-related purpose.

Reliability After Accepting an Assignment

Flexibility is one of the benefits of joining the PRN Substitute Pool. Employees are generally able to determine which available assignments they are able to accept.

Because of that flexibility, reliability after accepting an assignment is particularly important.

Once an employee accepts an available shift or scheduled substitute assignment, The Sunnyside Academy will rely upon that employee for required staffing coverage.

Employees are expected to:

• Report for accepted assignments on time.
• Arrive prepared to begin working at the scheduled time.
• Complete the accepted assignment unless otherwise released by administration.
• Communicate promptly if an emergency prevents them from fulfilling an accepted assignment.
• Maintain accurate contact information with the center.
• Respond professionally to communications regarding available assignments.

Declining an offered assignment does not carry the same expectation as failing to report for an assignment that has already been accepted.

ECECD Training & Employment Requirements

All PRN Substitutes must meet the background clearance, employment, and training requirements applicable to the hours worked and responsibilities performed within a New Mexico licensed childcare facility.

This may include:

• Required comprehensive background clearance.
• Fingerprinting and applicable background check procedures.
• Required health and safety training.
• Orientation requirements.
• Establishing a Professional Development Information System (PDIS) profile when applicable.
• CPR and First Aid certification when required.
• Maintaining required employment and regulatory documentation.
• Compliance with applicable New Mexico childcare licensing requirements.
• Compliance with The Sunnyside Academy's policies, procedures, confidentiality requirements, and professional standards.

Employees Accepting 20 or More Hours on average

PRN Substitutes who accept 20 or more hours of work, when applicable under ECECD requirements, will be required to complete and maintain the additional training and professional requirements established by the New Mexico Early Childhood Education and Care Department for their employment status and responsibilities.

Employees are responsible for completing required training within applicable timeframes in order to remain eligible to accept assignments at that level.

The Sunnyside Academy will provide employees with information regarding applicable requirements and assist employees in identifying required training.

Current CPR and First Aid certification is a plus but is not required at the time of application when not otherwise required by regulation. The Sunnyside Academy coordinates required CPR and First Aid training for employees who need certification.

Education & Professional Growth

Previous Early Childhood Education classes or experience is a plus but is not required to apply for the PRN Substitute Pool.

Professional growth is encouraged. Individuals who discover an interest in Early Childhood Education through substitute work are encouraged to explore available training, coursework, credentials, and professional development opportunities.

The Sunnyside Academy can provide information regarding applicable Early Childhood Education pathways and New Mexico scholarship opportunities for employees interested in furthering their education.

Participation in the substitute pool may also provide opportunities for individuals interested in future regularly scheduled positions to gain experience with The Sunnyside Academy, our classrooms, and different age groups.

Physical Requirements

PRN Substitute assignments require regular physical activity.

Employees must be able to perform the essential functions of accepted assignments, with reasonable accommodation when applicable, including:

• Standing and walking for extended periods.
• Bending, kneeling, crouching, and reaching.
• Sitting at child level and on the floor.
• Repeatedly transitioning between standing and floor level.
• Moving throughout indoor and outdoor environments while supervising children.
• Safely assisting or steadying children during personal care and daily routines.
• Responding promptly when necessary to protect a child's health or safety.
• Participating in indoor and outdoor activities.
• Handling routine classroom materials, meals, equipment, and supplies.

Who This Position May Be a Good Fit For

The PRN Substitute Pool may be particularly well suited for individuals who:

• Enjoy working with children but need flexibility in their work schedule.
• Have changing weekly availability.
• Are interested in occasional or supplemental employment.
• Want to gain experience in Early Childhood Education before pursuing a regularly scheduled position.
• Have previous teaching, childcare, educational, or caregiving experience but are not currently seeking full-time employment.
• Are comfortable working with different age groups and classroom environments.
• Are dependable when they commit to an assignment.

The most important qualifications are a willingness to learn, appropriate interactions with children, dependability when accepting assignments, and the ability to follow established classroom and center expectations.

Apply

The Sunnyside Academy is currently accepting applications for multiple PRN / On-Call Substitute positions as we expand our substitute pool.

Applicants do not need to commit to a regular weekly schedule to be considered.

Candidates interested in joining the PRN Substitute Pool are encouraged to submit an application for consideration.

The Sunnyside Academy is an equal opportunity employer and considers qualified applicants in accordance with applicable federal and state employment laws.