Assistant Director

About WonderWise:

At WonderWise, we believe every child deserves a safe, nurturing, and inspiring environment to learn, explore and thrive. Guided by caring educators, we offer a play-based program and a comprehensive curriculum inspired by Reggio Emilia, Montessori, and other educational philosophies. We nurture development across all areas—social, physical, intellectual, creative, and emotional—instilling a lifelong love for learning and empowering each child to thrive.

Job Overview

The Assistant Director works closely with the Centre Director to ensure smooth day-to-day operations, support staff, and maintain program quality. Responsibilities include managing enrollment and registrations, booking and leading parent tours, ensuring licensing compliance, and stepping in for the Director when needed. The Assistant Director also helps with staff scheduling and training, supports classroom teams, maintains communication with families, assists with health and safety protocols, and contributes to curriculum planning and implementation.

Duties

• Support and mentor educators; assist with scheduling and ratio compliance.
• Conduct parent tours, manage inquiries, and oversee enrollment and onboarding.
• Collaborate with educators to implement a play-based curriculum aligned with Alberta's Flight framework.
• Ensure compliance with Alberta Child Care Licensing Regulations and centre policies.
• Maintain accurate records (enrollment, staff training, incidents, licensing).
• Use childcare management software for enrollment, scheduling, and reporting.
• Build strong relationships with families and support communication.
• Assist with daily operations, including opening/closing and classroom coverage when needed.
• Support the Director in recruitment, hiring, onboarding, and performance evaluations of staff.
• Support family engagement initiatives such as special events and workshops.
• Contribute to marketing and community outreach efforts to promote the center.

Qualifications

Education and Certification:

• Early Childhood Educator (ECE) Level 3 (or working toward completion).
• 3 to 5+ years of experience in a licensed childcare setting; leadership experience preferred.
• Current First Aid/CPR, Criminal Record Check and Vulnerable Sector Check (must be clear and current within the last 6 months).
• Food safe certification is an asset.

Skills and Competencies:

• Strong communication skills, with the ability to build positive relationships with children, families, and colleagues.
• Strong knowledge of Alberta Child Care Licensing Regulations and Flight framework.
• Familiarity or experience with childcare management software (such as Kindertales) is an asset.
• Strong computer skills (Google Workspace, working with spreadsheets, childcare software systems, digital record-keeping, file organization).
• Excellent leadership, communication, and organizational skills.
• Knowledge of inclusive practices and the ability to support children with diverse needs.
• A passion for early childhood education and a genuine commitment to nurturing and supporting young children's development.
• Must be able to speak, read, and write English fluently, as clear communication with staff, children, and families is essential to the role.

Working Conditions:

• Full-time salaried position
• Physical demands include standing, walking, bending, and lifting children or equipment as needed.
• Ability to work in both indoor and outdoor environments, including active play and outdoor excursions.

Why Join WonderWise?

At WonderWise, we believe in empowering our team with the tools and support they need to succeed. As an Assistant Director, you will receive:

• Competitive salary based on experience and qualifications
• Paid time off and sick days to ensure a healthy work-life balance
• Full health and dental benefits after 3 months probation period
• Career growth and promotion opportunities within the organization
• 11 paid statutory holidays and Christmas week off
• 2 paid professional development days annually
• Daily coffee, tea, and snacks provided
• A collaborative and supportive work environment where your contributions are valued.
• The chance to make a lasting impact on children's lives and their future learning journey.

We are committed to creating a work culture where you can thrive personally and professionally, making a lasting impact on the lives of children and families while enjoying a well-rounded work-life balance.

Contract & Compensation:

• Type: Full-time salaried
• Hours: Full-time, 40 hours per week with shifts between 6:30 AM and 5:30 PM with a 30 minute unpaid lunch
• Compensation: starting from $45,000(base salary), plus top-up

We are ideally seeking a candidate available to start on or around May 1. If you are a passionate educator with a love for working with young children and a commitment to creating a positive learning environment, we encourage you to apply to join our WonderWise family

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: From $45,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental care
• Employee assistance program
• Extended health care
• Life insurance
• On-site parking
• Paid time off
• Vision care

Application question(s):

• What is your current level of Early Childhood Education qualification?
• Have you ever worked in a leadership role in childcare (e.g., Assistant Director, Room Lead, Supervisor)? If yes, how many years of experience do you have?
• Do you have a valid First Aid Certification?
• Do you have a valid Food Safety Certification?
• Do you have a valid Criminal Record Check with Vulnerable Sector Search dated within the last 6 months or are you willing to obtain one?
• Do you have experience with enrollment and leading parent tours? If so, can you share an example of how you've supported families during this process?
• How comfortable are you with digital record-keeping and using computer programs such as Word, spreadsheets, or childcare management software?
• Our location is 39 Canada Olympic Common SW, Calgary, AB, T3H 6K4 (beside Winsport/COP). Are you able to reliably commute here for a full-time schedule?

Education:

• Secondary School (preferred)

Work Location: In person