POSITION TITLE: Registered Early Childhood Educator
DEPARTMENT: Tropicana Childcare Centre
AFFILIATION: Unionized Position
LOCATION: McCowan Site, ON
HOURS: up to 21 hours per week
EXTENDED HOURS: Dependent on needs of the program
ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION
Tropicana Community Services, a Toronto-based multiservice organization, provides all youth, newcomers, people of Black and Caribbean heritage and others in need with opportunities and alternatives that lead to success and positive life choices. Our mission is achieved through culturally appropriate programs such as counselling, childcare, educational, and employment services and youth development.
ABOUT THE POSITION
Reporting to and adhering to the Childcare Supervisor and/or to the Supervisor’s Designate in the absence of the supervisor. The Registered Early Childhood Educator is responsible for organizing and implementing programs for children between the ages of 3 months to ages 4 years (McCowan) and ages 4 to 12 years old (McCrae).
The RECE will encourage children in activities to stimulate and develop a child’s social, intellectual, cognitive, physical and emotional growth, as well as to ensure their security and well-being.
Please note that this is a casual position ranging from 18 to 35 hours per week.
AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY
- Foster collaborative partnerships with children and their families, recognizing that children are best understood within the context of their families, cultures, and communities. Promote a healthy, inclusive, and respectful environment that values each family’s individual background, experiences, beliefs, and needs.
- Conduct daily health checks of children, accurately record and report illnesses or health concerns, and communicate effectively and professionally with families.
- Demonstrate knowledge about theories related to the impact of caring and responsive
relationships on children’s development learning, self-regulation, identity and well-being
- Understands that children are capable and enthusiastic learners with unique personalities, skills and interests.
- Support children in developing coping skills, regulating their behaviors and interacting positively with others. Recognize all children’s capacity to self-regulate and their right to be supported to develop these skills.
- Use appropriate and effective communication methods (i.e. digital/Brightwheel) and strategies to share relevant information with families about their children’s development, learning, progress, and experiences. Build positive and respectful relationships with families by maintaining open, clear, and supportive communication.
- Provide safe, attentive, and appropriate supervision of children at all times; taking into consideration their age, developmental needs, abilities, and the learning environment. Maintain awareness of children’s activities and interactions while ensuring their safety, well-being, and active participation in the program.
- Assess individual child and group needs in collaboration with Toronto Children's Services Resource Consultant and follow through with recommended goals.
- Participate in weekly planning and observation to tailor daily implementation of developmentally age-appropriate activities to enhance the children's cognitive, physical, social, and emotional development in accordance with Excerpts from ELECT, the Child Care and Early Years Act, “How Does Learning Happen”, and the Children's Services Assessment for Quality Improvement (AQI).
- Incorporate learning experiences that are responsive to the individual and group needs, interests, and abilities of children. Support children in exploring their community by accompanying them on community outings and field trips, while promoting meaningful learning, participation, and positive social experiences.
- To be receptive listeners and offer encouragement and support by responding appropriately to the ideas, concerns and needs of children and families.
- Follow and maintain all of Toronto Public Health IPAC guidelines, i.e. glove and handwashing routines etc.
- Maintain basic housekeeping, including washroom and sleep room routines. To ensure toys and equipment used in the program are well maintained in a safe, clean condition and kept in a good state of repair.
- Work closely with and provide support to team members, families and outside agencies to promote an inclusive environment.
- Demonstrate professional and appropriate procedures when working with Early Childhood Education students, supply educators, and newly hired staff. Provide guidance, support, and clear communication to help new team members understand program expectations, policies, routines, and professional responsibilities.
- Keep the supervisor informed of supply and equipment needs.
OTHER DUTIES
- Attend staff and team meetings as required.
- Be flexible and adaptable with shift assignments and other requirements.
- Proactively contribute to the organization.
- Initiates or assists with other projects as required
SKILLS
- Ability to lead diverse groups with confidence, patience, and structure.
- Positive and professional communication skills with children, families, colleagues, and community partners.
- Creative thinker with the ability to design fresh, engaging, inclusive and culturally appropriate programs.
- Basic behavioral management and conflict-resolution skills to de-escalate difficult situations.
- Basic Microsoft Office Suite and other digital media tools.
- Proven ability to apply sound judgement and work with limited supervision
QUALIFICATIONS
- A Two-year Early Childhood Education Diploma or Degree program
- A Two-year Child and Youth Diploma or Degree program (Ministry Director Approval), a combination of education and experience in the related field.
- Must have and maintain current registration with the College of Early Childhood Educators in good standing and/or must be able to obtain and maintain current registration in good standing with the College of Early Childhood Educators.
- A valid First Aid/CPR Level C certification
- Negative Vulnerable Sector Screening Check issued within one year of hire date
- Ministry-required medical assessment
PHYSICAL CONDITIONS
- Constant light to medium physical effort: lifting to 20 kg (44 lbs.), standing, bending and stooping, pushing, twisting and walking.
- Environment: hot during summer and cold during winter when working outdoors
WHAT WE OFFER
- Career growth and development opportunities
- A chance to play an active role in giving back to your community
- Employee Assistance Program
Although we appreciate each application, only those candidates being considered for the position will be contacted.
Tropicana Community Services commits to promoting inclusion, diversity, equity and access (IDEA) through its information and support, advocacy, programming, internal policies, and governance structures. Tropicana Community Services will aim to ensure that our staff reflect the experience, skills and diversity of the communities we serve and create an inclusive, barrier-free work environment, beginning with the recruitment process. If you have restrictions that need to be accommodated to fully participate in any phase of the recruitment process, please contact Human resources. All information received in relation to accommodation will be kept confidential.
