Child Care Educator

The YMCA is the largest not-for-profit Child Care provider in Canada. With 50+ years of experience, we provide high-quality programs for infants, toddlers, preschoolers, kindergarten, and school-aged children.

The YMCA of Greater Toronto is looking to hire dedicated and passionate child care professionals to join our growing YMCA team in **East Garafraxa/Grand Valley/Laurelwoods/ Mono/ Orangeville/Shelburne.** The Y is recognized as a top employer in the GTA and a top employer of young people in Canada, and our staff is the core of our success
- **Split Shift Salaried**_: Split shift salaried staff (in our before and after school programs) must have availability to work every day, Monday to Friday, between 7:00-9:00am AND 2:30-6:00pm to be considered for a position. Positions may be 10 month (Sept to June) or 12 month (year round). Guaranteed 6 hours of work per day (30 hours per week).

**Why Work For Our Charity?**

The YMCA of Greater Toronto aspires to be a great work place committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion, where different backgrounds, experiences, and identities are appreciated and celebrated. Guided by our shared values — kindness, well-being, integrity, inclusiveness, respect, and optimism — the YMCA provides thousands of employees with meaningful jobs and the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of individuals and the health of our communities. We recognize the contributions of our staff through innovative practices, great benefits, and growth opportunities

**Nature and Scope**

YMCA Child & Family Development has provided quality child care in the GTA for over 50 years, and is the largest not-for-profit provider of Licensed Child Care in Canada. With more than 300 locations, we offer a variety of programs for children 0-12 years of age: Early Learning and Care (Infant, Toddler, Preschool, and Nursery); Before and After School Care (Kindergarten and School Age); and Family Support programs.

The contribution of our staff in the delivery of child-centred programs is at the core of our success as a leader in early childhood education. We are committed to providing staff with the opportunity to further develop the knowledge and skills that will assist them in enhancing the experience of children and families, through our _YMCA Playing to Learn_ and _YMCA A Place to Connect_ curricula.

The _YMCA Playing to Learn_ curriculum for 0-6 year olds, endorsed by the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario, helps children develop and grow by using play as a way to learn. This method gives our early childhood educators insight into how kids learn, which we use to build a dynamic in-class environment to meet the specific needs of the child and ensure the child’s interests help shape their learning experience.

The _YMCA A Place to Connect_ curriculum for 6-12 year olds in YMCA Before and After School programs provides staff with the knowledge and skills to act as a mentor towards the children and help them develop life skills. This curriculum also helps shape YMCA Day Camps, Summer Club, and Overnight Camps.

**Responsibilities**
- Provide quality compassionate care and support to children and their families
- Build positive relationships with children and seek opportunities to deepen connections with parents and families keeping them up to date on their child’s progress
- Be a creative play partner who is actively engaged with the children and makes learning fun
- Independently ensure the safety and supervision of children at all times, while working alone and/or with other Child Care Educators
- Understand and comply with provincial (CCEYA), municipal, and YMCA policies and procedures
- Observe and expand on children’s learning opportunities and complete required documentation of children’s development and interactions
- Listen to and respond to children’s needs which includes diapering and assisting children with toileting
- Clean and sanitize child care spaces, toys and equipment
- Prepare and serve food following YMCA health and safety protocols and procedures
- Understands the legal responsibilities and moral imperative to report suspected child abuse to child protection services
- Attend required curriculum training and professional development opportunities.
- Maintain qualifications and certifications as required by the YMCA and provincial standards
- Perform other duties as assigned

**Qualifications**
- **Registered Early Childhood Educator Qualifications**:_
- Early Childhood Educator Diploma
- Must be registered and a member in good standing in the College of Early Childhood Educators (CECE)
- **Early Learning Facilitator Qualifications**:_
- Child and Youth Work Diploma, Bachelors of Education, Recreation and Leisure Diploma/Recreation Leadership Degree or Social Service Worker
- **Early Childhood Assistant Qualifications**_**:

- High School Diploma
- Experience working with children in a child care or before and after school setting an asset
- **General Qualifications**