Early Childhood Educator

**JOB DESCRIPTION: EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATOR (ECE)**

The Cowichan Intercultural Society is a Canadian registered charitable organization that has been operating in the Cowichan Valley Region since 1981. We provide services and support to newcomers to Canada settling in the Cowichan Valley, and activities to create a welcoming and inclusive community.

**JOB SUMMARY**

**Early Childhood Educator** under the direction of the ECE Coordinator works closely with all employees in Cowichan Intercultural Society CIS) to plan and develop age-appropriate activities in collaboration with the Youth and Childcare Manager to enhance the cognitive, physical, social, and emotional develop according to the Society’s mission statement and philosophy.

This position is for $23.53/hour for 40 hours a week.

**PROFESSIONAL OBLIGATIONS**
- Adherence to Vancouver Island Health Licensing Regulations
- Adherence to professional standards set out by ECEBC Code of Ethics and Cowichan Intercultural Society’s professional standards and confidentiality policy
- Maintaining certification with ECEBC or ECE training in progress

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- With other CIS staff, under the supervision of the Youth and Childcare Manager, plans and implements developmentally appropriate curriculum which includes activities, and experiences for a multi-age program
- Provides a physically safe and emotionally supportive environment showing sensitivity to the individual needs of children in all aspects of development
- Observes children for daily overall health and ongoing observation for signs of potential learning or behavioural concerns and prepares written documentation for the Youth and Childcare Manager, parents and/or outside agency
- Engages and works collaboratively as a team member in caring for the children; maintains regular and open communication with peers and all co-workers
- Able to implement the Early Learning Framework through observations, reflections, documentations, and curriculum planning
- Engages each child individually each day, and makes every effort to greet every parent, guardian, and caregiver
- Maintains positive relationships with colleagues, children, and families, and community members
- CIS Childcare is open during the hours of 8:30am to 4:30 pm, Monday to Friday

**SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES**
- Responsible for planning and implementing appropriate activities that follow the children’s interests and the philosophy of learning through play
- Understanding of trauma-informed practices for childcare
- Work as a team member; serve as a role model
- Plan and implement activities that follow the children’s interests. This program shall:

- Be in accordance with CIS philosophy and policies as well as all applicable licensing regulation
- Be based on the principle of the Early Learning Framework
- Contain a variety and balance of activities to enhance the children’s development in the following areas: cognitive, fine motor, gross motor, creative, science, sensory, social and emotional
- Be appropriate to the age, developmental level, and interests of the children
- Consist of individual, small and large group activities, activity centres, loose parts provocations, and outdoor experiences
- Create a positive social environment which promotes social/emotional learning: sharing, cooperation, problem solving, respect and kindness for others and self-help skills
- Create a positive environment through fair and consistent expectations; support an environment of cultural diversity and inclusivity; provide opportunities for child-directed play experience that promote child’s understanding of their own and other’s cultures and values systems
- Maintain a safe, organized, appealing, and developmentally appropriate program space; ensuring that materials and room set up and cleaning is done prior to children arriving
- Ensure children are dressed appropriately for indoor and outdoor activities
- Conduct daily health check of children; record illness and inform Youth and Childcare Manager; contact parents as necessary
- Mentor and monitor healthy eating and report concerns to Coordinator and families
- Read, understand and abide by all policies in Staff Handbook and Parent Handbook, including emergency, fire, serious occurrence, prohibited practices and child abuse procedures
- Observe and record relevant information on each child’s progress/concerns on a regular basis in the children’s log book
- Regularly evaluate program to ensure it meets the needs of individual children and needs of the group; spend time in reflection, set goals and meet licensing criteria
- Develop and maintain professional relationships with families; provide ongoing support and resources to families
- Accommodate parent/guardian instructions for daily care routines whenever possible
- Maintain professional boundaries and constant awareness of the ‘client’ relationship

**HEALTH AND SAFETY**
- Responsible for ensuring that regular attendance is docu