Early Years Analyst

Early Years Analyst

Job Number: 3656

Job Type: Temporary Full-Time

Temp Contract Length: Contract is expected to end on March 12, 2027

Location: 20 Weber St E - 20 Weber

Job Category: Health Care and Social Assistance

Number of Positions: 1

Department: Quality Initiatives

Division: Community Services

Hours of Work: 35

Union: CUPE 1883

Grade: CUPE 1883 Grade 014

Salary Range: $ $50.52

About Us

The Region of Waterloo is a thriving, diverse community committed to fostering opportunities for current and future generations. Waterloo Region is part of the Dish with One Spoon wampum, a treaty guiding our commitment to:

• Taking only what we need
• Leaving some for others
• Keeping the dish clean

This agreement underpins our vision, mission, and core value, and reinforces our dedication to meaningful reconciliation and equity.

Waterloo Region is home to over 674,000 residents and expected to grow to nearly one million by 2051.

Guided by our Strategic Plan, "Growing with Care," we prioritize homes for all, climate aligned growth, equitable services and opportunities and a resilient and future ready organization. Our mission is to provide essential services that enhance the quality of life for all residents, while our core value emphasizes caring for people and the land we share. Join us and be part of a team dedicated to making a meaningful difference in our community.

The Role

Conducts quality and compliance assessments and provides advice, guidance, and direction to early learning and child care operators (ELCC) to support quality program delivery and compliance with service agreements, including quality initiatives program requirements. Works with programs and educators to develop plans and supports/resources for continuous quality improvements. Identifies trends and gaps in data at a system level and makes recommendations to improve program effectiveness and delivery.

Why Join our Team

As an integral member of our Children's Services team, you will be a part of a dynamic team and community that is committed to creating a high quality, equitable and responsive Early Years and Child Care system that is accessible and affordable for every family in Waterloo Region. We are confident that our commitments to continuous quality improvement will lead to a shared understanding of quality through experiences, relationships, and environments that benefit children and families, and ultimately leads to a higher quality of life. Join our team and make a difference in the lives of our youngest citizens.

Duties/Responsibilities

• Provides information, education, and guidance to ELCC operators and educators on the quality initiatives program and service agreement requirements (e.g., child care centres, before/after school programs, camps, home child care agencies, EarlyON). Ensures operators understand and comply with policies, regulations, legislation, and other requirements.
• Conducts on-site quality assurance assessments. Reviews and documents operational practices and processes against program and service agreement requirements. Observes/assesses child-educator relationships/interactions using assessment tools. Shares results, including areas of strength and areas for growth/improvement, with providers.
• Facilitates plans to support areas for growth and improvement. Connects providers with resources and community partners (e.g., professional resource centre, special needs resourcing) to develop work plans and receive hands-on mentoring/coaching (e.g., educator capacity building/training, policy development). Provides feedback on annual quality goals and work plans, and assesses and documents outcomes.
• Leads/participates on teams made up of community and internal partners to gather input and determine action plans to support programs moving forward in their quality journey. Identifies and assesses barriers, and develops and implements intervention strategies, in consultation with management, as required.
• Monitors compliance with service agreements and related operational requirements, including legislation and regulations. Reviews status of licensed programs in the Child Care Licensing System, and follows up on complaints from the public.
• Communicates non-compliance and low operating standards as potential violations to the Ministry of Education and/or Children's Services management and initiates corrective measures and continuous improvements.
• Maintains program documentation, including communication log. Posts results online (e.g., OneList, website).
• Maintains and monitors data at a program level related to compliance in collaboration with management and peers. Identifies trends and gaps in data at a system level and makes recommendations to improve program effectiveness and delivery.
• Assists in the development and maintenance of program resources, tools, policies, and procedures.
• Contributes to/applies a framework of continuous quality improvement in early learning and child care environments that supports quality outcomes as well as equity, diversity, and inclusion for all children.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of child care and early years principles and practices; methods/approaches that contribute to quality outcomes and continuous quality improvement; program administration; adult education; capacity building; data tracking and analysis; and evaluation, acquired through a 4-year degree in a related field (e.g., Early Learning Development, Child and Youth Studies), plus 2 years of directly related experience, or a 2-year diploma in Early Childhood Education plus 6 years of directly related experience.
• Must be a Registered Early Childhood Educator in good standing with the College of Early Childhood Educators of Ontario.
• Must obtain and maintain certification in a number of quality assessment tools (post-hire).
• Ability to apply measurement tools consistently and appropriately to support and validate quality practice.
• Knowledge of and ability to stay up-to-date with current research and trends related to quality in early learning and child care, and continuous quality improvement practices.
• Knowledge of and ability to comply with policies, procedures, guidelines, and legislation (e.g., Child Care and Early Years Act, health and safety).
• Ability to develop plans and recommendations to support quality child care and early learning operations, including connecting operators with community supports.
• Analytical, problem solving, and organizational skills to identify gaps in processes/practices and service provider compliance, identify growth opportunities, and recommend solutions and continuous improvements.
• Ability to exercise confidentiality, sensitivity, and judgment, including in response to service providers in violation of the Child Care and Early Years Act.
• Leadership, human relations, and communication skills to explain and respond to inquiries from providers and community partners regarding the program, policies, legislation/regulations, and service agreement requirements; maintain relationships and provide support and guidance to providers; deliver sensitive information/feedback and recommendations for improvement; facilitate meetings with internal and external supports and stakeholders; make presentations to management and community partners; and participate as an effective team member.
• Ability to write clear and concise letters, summaries, reports, resource materials, case notes and communications; and draft policies and protocols for management review. Ability to interpret and understand reports, legislation, guidelines, policies, funding information, and service agreements.
• Demonstrated understanding and commitment to equal access, equity, and diversity.
• Computer skills with ability to use software such as Microsoft Office (including Excel), and Provincial and program databases and systems.
• Ability to alter schedule to attend meetings outside normal working hours, and is requested to work evening and weekend hours for same.
• Must provide an acceptable Criminal Record Check.
• Ability to travel within and outside Waterloo Region.
• Ability to support and demonstrate the Region's values.

Region of Waterloo is committed to building a workforce through fair, equitable, and accessible hiring practices that allow us to hire qualified staff who reflect the diversity of the community we serve and to promote a respectful, inclusive, and equitable workplace.

We invite all interested individuals to apply and actively encourage applications from members of groups with historical and/or current barriers to equity, including, but not limited to:

• First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples, and all other Indigenous peoples;
• members of groups that commonly experience discrimination due to race, ancestry, colour, religion and/or spiritual beliefs, or place of origin;
• persons with visible and/or invisible (physical and/or mental) disabilities;
• persons who identify as women; and persons of marginalized sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender expressions

For questions or to request accommodations during your recruitment, onboarding or employment, please contact , or by calling our Service First Contact Centre at phone number

Please note: candidates will be provided an update on their application. Please check your spam or junk folder occasionally as some candidates have noticed our emails in those folders (Gmail and Hotmail in particular).