Early Childhood Educator (ECE)

Title: Early Childhood Educator

Department: Early Learning and Child Care

Reports to: Regional Manager

Location: Tatamagouche, NS

Classification: Full-Time, Permanent

Deadline: Open until filled.

YWCA Halifax is committed to diversity, and we welcome all suitably qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply. YWCA Halifax is governed by, employs, and serves diverse individuals and community members. Self-identification by applicants does not guarantee an interview but we want you to know that we understand that lived experience of racialization, Indigeneity, disAbility, and gender diversity are their own knowledge and expertise. We value this expertise and consider it as we discern who to interview.

YWCA Halifax is a progressive, multi-service, not-for-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of women, girls, two-spirited and gender diverse people and their families at critical turning points in their lives. We work to transform lives by providing a continuum of services and programs that drive lasting positive change. We strive to change the underlying issues that are root causes of inequality, violence, poverty, and homelessness. Our four program focus areas include: promoting the health, wellness, and leadership of women and girls; advancing women’s economic and housing security; delivering quality, accessible, early learning, and childcare; and working to end violence against women, girls and gender diverse people.

Why work for the YWCA

Staff at YWCA Halifax enjoy a supportive and dynamic team environment, a commitment to staff growth, a connection to the national and international YWCA movements, learning from colleagues in a multiservice agency, and a strong shared vision.

Why YOU should apply

Even if you don’t have all the requirements listed in this position, you may be the right candidate. If you are a natural leader with a strong attention to detail and a passion for social justice and gender equity, we want to hear from you.  Take a chance and apply.  Tell us how you can make a difference through your YWCA.

General Summary of Competencies: Early Childhood Educators are responsible for planning and implementing a program that provides children with a developmentally appropriate, safe and healthy environment. The program follows all relevant provincial laws and regulations and follows all relevant YWCA Halifax policies and procedures.

Specific Competencies include:

• Attention to Detail
• Client-Centred Service
• Commitment to Learning
• Communication & Professional Confidence
• Cultural Awareness
• Conflict Management
• Ethics & Integrity
• Flexibility
• Organizational Understanding
• Planning & Organizing
• Problem Solving/Analytical Thinking
• Relationship Building
• Result Orientation/Achievement
• Self-Awareness/Emotional Intelligence
• Stress Management
• Teamwork

Essential Duties of Position:

Advance the vision and mission of the YWCA of Halifax:

Programming

• Proactively plans, develops, and implements an early learning program that is developmentally appropriate, in alignment with department processes, policies and allocated budget
• Takes initiative to ensure that activities, learning experiences, and general classroom conduct are planned with developmental appropriateness in mind
• Provides culturally reflective/responsive practices/pedagogy, (Inclusive), programming and activities
• Provides a balance between quiet and active learning activities
• Provides for culturally diverse activities, and a variety of creative experiences
• Establishes routines and smooth transition times
• Plans, develops, implements, and communicates programs within department processes and policies
• Communicates with children with respect and at their own individual and developmental level
• Sets realistic behavior expectations and follows the YWCA Behavior Guidance and Inclusion Policy
• Regularly assesses children’s needs, interests and abilities and uses results to develop program activities
• Provides for a balance between teacher and child-initiated activities (e.g. balance between thematic and emergent curriculum) – follows the NSELCF (Nova Scotia Early Learning Curriculum Framework – completion of training modules mandatory
• Plans, secures, and assembles program supplies and materials prior to implementing activities
• Provides for active physical play including both indoor and outdoor active play
• Supports children in developing problem- and conflict-solving skills

Health & Safety Standards

**All Employees must adhere to and follow YWCA Early Learning Centre COVID Operational Plan, rules, regulations and guidelines.

• Devotes the whole of working time, attention and energies to the advancement of a quality program
• Maintains clean and healthy environment by following cleaning schedule
• Follows established procedures for diapering, toilet training, hand washing, and safe and healthy food handling
• Maintains an equipped group first aid kit. Carries first aid kit and child emergency contact information on outings and ensures accessibility when indoors.
• Is responsible for communicating through email to the Childcare Manager when First Aid supplies are low
• Maintains a classroom Communication Book according to requirements of the Department of Education and Early Years and Centre requirements
• Is responsible for ensuring that children with allergies and other special conditions receive the appropriate food and other accommodation. Collaborates with Childcare Cook to ensure appropriate actions on allergies and other special conditions.
• Assists in maintaining a readily accessible, current list of contact information for parents
• Follows procedure for the administration of medication
• Releases children only to authorized people
• Remains calm during drills and emergency evacuations
• Ensure that children are supervised at all times and in accordance with Department of Education and Early Childhood Development regulations, ratios, and YWCA policies and procedures
• Follows protocols for completing incident report forms, and related communications with parents, ensuring confidentiality and professionalism
• Follows all YWCA policies, procedures, and protocols including emergency closure and parent contact procedures, fire safety,
• Is responsible for ensuring a cleaning schedule is documented, posted and maintained at least once per

Communication/Professionalism

• Respects the confidentiality of all information related to the children, their families, staff, all salary information, clients and non-published information pertaining to all YWCA programs and
• Maintains a courteous and professional relationship with co-workers, supervisor, and all team members
• Participates as a team member by keeping Supervisor informed of classroom activities
• Follows through on requests and instructions from Supervisor (management team)
• Welcomes students, volunteers and substitutes, and informs them of health, safety, fire and Behaviour Guidance procedures along with providing all students, volunteers and substitutes with information on day-to-day classroom operations and
• Attends staff meetings
• Advances knowledge through education, courses, workshops, seminars and readings. Must participate in a minimum of 10 hours of professional development workshops per year that are recognized by the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development
• Dresses appropriately according to the needs of the job, and within the boundaries of professional workplace attire
• Personal cell phone use is strictly prohibited during working hours
• Is not excessively absent from work knowing that excessive absences negatively affect the program both in added workload to colleagues and in the ability to provide quality programs to children and families

Physical Environment

• Collaborates with other team members to design and maintain a developmentally appropriate, child focused room arrangement that is regularly updated and changed
• Collaborates with other team members to design and maintain a developmentally appropriate and child focused outdoor space arrangement that is regularly updated
• Creates a warm, pleasant and inviting atmosphere
• Ensures room is kept tidy, clean and in good order
• Ensures physical environment is culturally responsive/Inclusive – reflects children/staff
• Keeps Supervisor and/or manager informed of any maintenance requirements
• Maintains playground by ensuring that fire escape routes are kept clear of toys, and debris

Parents & Children

• Maintains a professional relationship with parents, and acts responsively and pro- actively
• Incorporate “Parents as Partners” – Includes families in programming
• Acts as a resource for parents according to individual capabilities and qualifications
• Greets parents and children warmly at drop off and pick up times
• Integrates new children and parents into the centre by providing a welcoming atmosphere informing parents of policy, program and procedure
• Does not allow children to suffer undue stress
• Keeps parents informed of their child’s experiences in the centre through daily contact and daily information logs
• Ensure progress reports are handed in on time and follow centre format
• Ensure progress reports are accurate, fair and indicate teachers’ knowledge of the child during the assessment

Program/Internal

• Is an integral part of the centre by demonstrating warmth, respect and concern for children
• Follows YWCA Behavior Guidance Policy
• Attends general and childcare staff meetings as mandatory and required
• Assists from time to time with special projects and events
• Participates in training (professional development opportunities), and YWCA events as required
• Respects the confidentiality of all information related to the children, their families, staff, clients and non-published information pertaining to YWCA
• Is committed to and interested in the promotion of the mission of YWCA Halifax and YWCA Canada

Qualifications & Experience:

• Early Childhood Education Degree or Diploma (Classification Level II or III) or Equivalency to Trained (Classification I) as recognized by the Province of NS
• First Aid with Infant CPR
• H.I.M.S (within 6 months of employment)
• Clear Child Abuse Registry Check (completed within 3 months prior to employment start date)
• Clear Criminal Records and Vulnerable Populations Check (completed within 3 months prior to employment start date)
• Must be in good health and fit to work in a childcare environment

If interested, please send your cover letter and resume to Kerri Johnson, Provincial Director of Early Learning and Child Care at k.johnson@ywcahalifax.com.