Childcare Consultant

**Who we are**

As the need for mental health services grows, Child Development Institute (CDI) continues to be the steadfast support and leading provider of specialized mental health services for children and youth aged 0-18 and their families. All of our services are guided by a strength-based approach that incorporates the family and the community in the journey of supporting children and youth.

Trusted with the mental well-being of our community's most vulnerable members, infants and children, all of our programming is backed by rigorous research. Science is the backbone which informs our work as we evolve alongside the needs of our community.

We are committed to providing services that are respectful of racial, cultural, religious, ethnic and linguistic diversity, as well as sexual orientation, age, gender and family differences. All our services are delivered by deeply caring and compassionate teams that guide children, youth and families along a mental health journey in a safe, respectful and welcoming space.

**Who we need**

CDI provides child care consultation services to support licensed childcare centres that care for children under 12 with extra support needs. These services are delivered within the Toronto Children’s Services Every Child Belongs service framework, promoting an inclusive childcare system.

We are seeking a Childcare Consultant to join us on contract. As the new Childcare Consultant you will manage a caseload of approximately 25 children, maintaining the momentum required to set up supports and accommodations. You will collaborate with child care program staff and parents or guardians to develop individualized goals and strategies, supporting each child’s development and inclusion in the program. You will visit designated childcare centres to monitor needs and progress, make recommendations, and refer services and resources as needed. You will independently offer training and guidance to programs in your portfolio on how to build inclusive environments.
- This is a contract role ending on October 31 2025, with the possibility of extension. You will be required to travel to and work onsite at various childcare centers across Toronto._

**What's in it for you**
- Purpose._ As part of an organization providing child care for over 100 years, you will be among experts who want to share their knowledge and are deeply invested in the success of our programs - and the children and families we work with. Joining CDI is a chance to be part of a genuinely wonderful experience providing access to free childcare consultations for children needing extra support.
- A strong support system._ You will be part of a collaborative team that shares knowledge, resources, and expertise. With a larger team in place, you will have access to a wealth of support, ensuring you feel empowered in your role.
- Growth and opportunity._ This role offers the potential to transition into other opportunities within the organization after the contract ends. You will gain valuable experience while building relationships that could lead to future career paths within CDI.

**As our Childcare Consultant, you will**:

- ** Consult and build solutions.** You will conduct consultations to identify and meet the needs of individual children. You will conduct observational visits, leverage screening tools, assess strengths and needs, and recommend plans and accommodations. You will provide workshops, resources and program consultations to childcare staff. You will develop and support the implementation of individual consultation plans and active referral and service coordination.
- ** Collaborate.** You will consult with childcare providers, parents and guardians, and internal CDI staff. You will coordinate services from different resources to meet the needs of identified children. You will participate in committees and networks.
- ** Engage families and community partners.** You will take a diverse and flexible approach to working with families, creating communications, and connecting to other resources as needed. You will deliver training, education, and service planning.
- ** Track details.**You will maintain open communication, stay up-to-date on follow-up visits, and update detailed documentation.

**What you bring**:

- ** The knowledge.**You have a degree in Early Childhood Education or an Early Childhood diploma combined with a Resource Educator diploma. You are a member in good standing with the College of Early Childhood Educators. You have sound knowledge of child development and behaviour guidance. You have experience in an early learning/childcare setting, including working with infants, preschool and school-age children with various types of special needs, such as developmental delays, ASD, and social, emotional and behavioural difficulties.
- ** The practical and strategic skills.** You have experience offering targeted workshops to both parents and professionals. You have a proven ability to screen and asse