Black Earlyon Program Coordinator

**JOB POSTING**

**Black EarlyON Program Coordinator (TWO POSITIONS)**

**Summary**
Early Childhood Development Initiative (ECDI) is a Toronto based non-profit established to promote optimal early childhood development (ECD) and strengthen childcare and learning outcomes for Black African children aged 0-12 years. ECDI is partnering with a coalition of EarlyON agencies in Etobicoke (LAMP Community Health Centre, George Hull Centre for Children and Families, Braeburn Neighbourhood Place, and Stonegate Community Health Centre) on a pilot project to develop and deliver culturally relevant EarlyON programming for Black children, aged 0-6, and their families. Funding for this project is a result of Toronto Children Services’ commitment to enhancing the quality, safety and cultural responsiveness of its programming and services for Black children and their families.

Reporting to the Programs Manager at ECDI, the EarlyON Program Coordinator will be responsible for developing and implementing culturally safe programs for Black families and their children, aged 0-6, to meet the project's goals. The Coordinator will create safe and stimulating play-based environments to support the developmental needs of young Black children and facilitate positive parent-child play and engagement. We are looking for a Black EarlyON Program Coordinator who will build lasting relationships with families, provide information and support, enhance parental capacity, and most importantly, be passionate about supporting parents/caregivers, children, and families.

**Your fit**
- You have lived experience as a person of African descent.
- You possess core knowledge about anti-Black racism and its impact on families and children.
- You have a strong understanding of family support practices, child development and culturally responsive pedagogy, particularly regarding Black families in Canada.
- You are highly empathetic and intentional about forming meaningful relationships with children and families, while maintaining respectful and collaborative relationships with fellow educators, staff, and the community.
- Personally, and professionally, you have a deep understanding of the rights and dignity of all children and families and an unwavering commitment to providing equitable opportunities and relevant programs that celebrate Black cultures.

**Program Coordinator Responsibilities**
- Conduct community consultations to identify programming needs of Black families and utilize findings to develop culturally relevant programs for Black families with children 0-6 years
- Develop culturally safe strategies to involve Black parents and caregivers in play-based learning activities that empower and instill a sense of belonging
- Set up and maintain welcoming, safe, comfortable, and stimulating environments for the children and their families
- Communicate respectfully and responsively with families and children, working collaboratively to meet their needs
- Model and include parents/caregivers in the process of understanding how learning is happening through play
- Foster opportunities for parents/caregivers and children to connect with each other and create meaningful peer relationships within programs
- Facilitate community connections, linking families with resources and services that will positively impact them
- Utilize a variety of teaching techniques including modeling, active listening, observing, questioning, demonstrating, supporting, and encouraging children
- Observe children for the purpose of creating learning opportunities that promote development within social, emotional, cognitive, language, sensory and physical domains
- Build upon the foundational knowledge into deeper reflection and investigation of children’s thinking, development and the role of the educator using the Provincial documents “How Does Learning Happen?,” “ELECT,” and “Think, Feel, Act” for the purpose of documentation
- Use evidence-based research to develop and implement parent/caregiver, educator, and staff workshops
- Keep accurate daily records including attendance sheets, daily logbooks, participant records and program statistics, prepare information that supports evaluation activities, and complete funding reports
- Frequently standing and sitting for extended periods of time, getting down to a child’s level (i.e., sitting on the floor, sitting in a small chair, etc.), and lifting/carrying of children’s play equipment (up to 20lbs)
- Purchase and organize snacks and meals for programs
- Maintain cleanliness of the program environment, equipment, toys, and materials.
- Maintain registration, attendance, referrals, and other administrative requirements
- Facilitate orientations, show and tell events, open houses, and other program-related special events
- Collaborate in the development of press releases, brochures, social media clips and other marketing materials
- Facilitate conflict resolution and support parents/caregivers and children