Essential skills: It is critical that the candidate demonstrate the ability to: Provide quality physical care for children including ensuring adequate rest, food and drink and using and promoting hygienic practices Provide food according to nutrition adequacy guidelines Ensure opportunities for rest are provided and are varied according to the age of the child, their cultural background, development and needs Implement and promote hygiene taking into account child's age, development, cultural background and needs Provide all aspects of physical care to children, including: provision of food and drink provision of adequate food and drink, which is varied according to age, culture, development and needs of the child Provide a range of experiences and an environment which encourages independence Set up environments and equipment to facilitate physical experiences and play Promote physical activity to children Provide a safe and secure environment which enables children to be themselves and to manage change Respond to children's emotional needs, giving due regard to child's age, culture, development and need, including children with severe illness or long /frequent periods of hospitalisation In addition, the candidate must be able to effectively do the task outlined in elements and performance criteria of this unit, manage the task and manage contingencies in the context of the identified work role These include the ability to: Demonstrate application of skills in: food preparation including cooking time management interpersonal relationship organising environment and time management effective communication (staff, children, parents) evaluation and promote problem solving observation willingness to be reflective empathy with child's feelings |