Manager, Children's Services

Who We Are

Founded in 1889, YWCA Hamilton is known as one of Hamilton's original social innovators and works from a feminist, anti-racist, and anti-oppressive framework. We are dedicated to strengthening women's and girl's voices, broadening their choices, building dynamic leadership and providing essential services that promote safe, inclusive and equitable communities.

YWork
for us?

At YWCA Hamilton, we are intentional about fostering a workplace culture that values positive physical and emotional well-being through our values of Intersectional Feminism, People Centred, Belonging, Responsibility, and Partnerships. We invest in our employees so that we can bring our values into the communities in which we live. We offer our employees:

• On-the-job training and professional development opportunities
• Childcare discounts
• Opportunities to get involved in our community
• A competitive total rewards package

If you're passionate about making a positive impact in the lives of women, children, and families every day, we would love for you to join our team

Position Description

Job
Code: 3-MCC-2025

Department: Children's
Services

Reports
to: Departmental Director

Location:
Hamilton,
ON

Hours
of Work: 37.5 hours per week

Start
Date: TBD

Posting
Date: September 30, 2025

Accountable for the management and provision of high-quality licensed child care centers, before and after school programs, camps and recreation programs and activities, in keeping with the YWCA mission, vision and values while adhering to the YWCA policies and procedures and quality standards, as well as the regulations of the Child Care and Early Years Act. Manages and monitors all programs related to the YWCA Hamilton Child Care department including implementation of the work plans, service delivery, program reporting, budget allocation and management of staff.

· Manages and monitors the effective day to day operation of the Child Care department;

· Oversees and manages the successful delivery of child care programs and projects, including program planning, quality development, operations and evaluation;

· Ensures program outcomes are achieved according to set targets and quality standards; monitors programs and projects to mitigate risk, ensure compliance with Ministry of Education requirements, YWCA policies and procedures; escalates to Director as required;

· Ensures compliance with the Child Care & Early Years Act and develops action plans with child care supervisors to improve compliance and quality outcomes across all service delivery locations;

· Ensures implementation of How Does Learning Happen pedagogy across all service delivery locations to promote a sense of belonging and support the healthy development of all children enrolled;

· Monitors YWCA Hamilton's Storypark app to ensure its use among frontline educators and supervisors as a communication tool with families, and to ensure that documentation is aligned with YWCA Hamilton child care quality standards;

· Updates, develops and ensures positive, professional communication with parents/families, community partners, outside agencies, co-workers and support staff on an ongoing basis;

· Resolves and manages crises and/or emergency situations; escalates to Director as required;

· Manages special events and activities at YWCA sites and within the community;

· Assists Director with budget development; manages and monitors budget;

· Monitors enrolment, to maintain operating capacity and keep the program within budget;

· Work collaboratively with funding bodies and service delivery partners;

· Investigates and cultivates opportunities for additional funding opportunities and funding sources (e.g. grants); completes funding applications, supports proposal writing and reporting as required;

· Supports the finance department to ensures all collections/billings, refunds, reconciliations, and other transactions are completed accurately and on time;

· Promotes programs in the community through multiple channels including community engagement strategy and collaborating with peers and leaders outside the YWCA Hamilton;

· Manages the marketing and promotion of programs and activities; working with Supervisors, Director, and other departments including Development and Finance;

· Prepares reports for the Director on activities and outcomes of all programs;

· Communicates, consults, educates and influences stakeholders and funders (e.g. Ministry of Education, , City of Hamilton, Haldimand Norfolk County, school board partners, Community Living, R.E.A.C.H, hospitals, Children Aid Society, etc.);

· Represents the YWCA Hamilton at community events and on relevant committees; often in an advisory role;

· Ensures that service expectations for professional communication, documentation and recordkeeping are maintained at a high standard;

· Identifies and evaluates risks associated with all programs and takes appropriate action to control the risks;

· Maintains high level of confidentiality when working with sensitive and personal child/family, employee and contract information;

· Understands emerging trends, leading practices, industry professional standards;

· Nurtures and forms meaningful internal and external working relationships and partnerships to advance the YWCA's child care strategies;

· Directly manages and coaches a team of child care supervisors, and indirectly manages frontline employees including recruiting, training, monitoring and evaluating performance;

· Verifies that all staff maintain all internal and external required certifications and comply with regulations;

· Guide supervisors and educators in working with children with diverse abilities; and

· Provide strategies, resources, and collaboration with community partners to support each child's unique skill-set;

· Commitment to Accessibility;

· Guide supervisors to plan and deliver continuous professional learning and development in programming, pedagogy and pedagogical documentation to their teams;

· Demonstrates and models strong leadership behaviours as a member of the management team;

· Fosters a safe and healthy work environment; ensures employees comply with health, safety standards that meet or exceed legislated requirements;

· Complies with the Child Care Early Years Act and YWCA Policies;

· Supports YWCA Hamilton mission, vision and values;

· Perform other duties as required.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

· Works 37.50 hours work week;

· Regular visits and inspections of child care sites.

Qualifications

· Completion of 3 years College Diploma in early childhood education or equivalent;

· Registered with the College of Early Childhood Educators (RECE); maintains registration as required by the YWCA and provincial standards;

· Minimum 5 to 7 years' experience working in a licensed child care setting, with a minimum of 3 years' management experience with demonstrated leadership skills;

· HIGH FIVE Principles of Health Child Development (PHCD) training is an asset;

· Knowledge of Healthy Child Development training is an asset;

· Must provide a current Vulnerable Sector Police check or willingness to obtain at own cost;

· Must provide a TB test, proof of Tetanus (within 10 years) and proof of MMR immunizations;

· Must have current Standard First Aid and CPR certificate or willingness to obtain at own cost;

· Must be able to lead and work from a feminist, anti-racist / anti-oppressive perspective for operations and strategic planning;

· Excellent communication skills;

· Ability to travel to all child care sites under YWCA management;

· Bilingual English/French or other languages an asset.

As part of YWCA Hamilton's commitment to Access and Equity, we strive to represent the diverse communities that we serve. Individuals who are women, First Nations, Métis, immigrant, refugee, LGBTQ2S+; individuals with disabilities; and individuals from racialized communities or other marginalized communities are encouraged to apply.

Accommodations are available throughout the recruitment process. Please inform us of any accommodation requests.

Please Note: Personal information collected during the recruitment process will only be used for employment opportunities only in accordance with the Freedom of Information and Privacy Act. Only applications from individuals eligible to work in Canada will be considered.

Thank you for your interest in YWCA Hamilton. Only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.

Please visit our careers page to see more job opportunities