Inclusion Program Coordinator

Title: Inclusion Program Coordinator – YWCA Tatamagouche Early Learning Centre   
Department: Early Learning and Child Care
Reports to: Regional Manager
Classification: Full-time, Regular, Non-Management
Hours: 40 Hours/week – Mon-Fri
Remuneration: Based on Provincial Wage Scale
Deadline: Open until filled
Location: Tatamagouche, NS

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.

Supervision and Direction Position Receives:

The Inclusion Program Coordinator (IPC) performs duties within established policy guidelines, goals, and objectives, and has primary responsibility for management of an area of work. Only the final results of work accomplished are typically reviewed except during the development stages of new programs or approaches. The Inclusion Program Coordinator (IPC) establishes operational procedures within their area of responsibility by recommending and developing new procedures, as needed, for approval by the Regional Manager, Provincial Director and ultimately the Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

General Summary of Competencies:

In conjunction with centre management, the IPC is responsible for the daily care, education, and supervision of the children in the YWCA Halifax Childcare Centre. The IPC is responsible for the planning, implementation, and evaluation of the program activities as they relate to an inclusive environment. The IPC will provide support to existing programs, evaluate the physical space, learning environment, and suggest changes to existing programs with respect to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, Accessibility (EDIAA) and successful integration of all children. The position also supports the Early Learning and Child Care Regional Manager with special attention to staff training needs and programming objectives to create an inclusionary-care environment.

The IPC will follow a weekly schedule to work alongside the Centre’s Early Childhood Educators (ECEs) to enhance the ratio for daily routines, activities, and programs. The IPC will help to further promote and implement an inclusionary program for all children to fully participate with peers through developmentally and culturally responsive teaching. Further, they will communicate and collaborate with Centre families and caregivers, as well as external service providers to ensure that every child has an opportunity to develop to their fullest potential.

Specific Competencies include:

• Attention to Detail.
• Commitment to Learning.
• Communication & Professional Confidence.
• Cultural Awareness & Competency.
• Conflict Management.
• Ethics & Integrity.
• Flexibility.
• Initiative.
• Organizational Understanding.
• Planning/ Organizing & time management.
• Problem Solving/Analytical Thinking.
• Relationship Building.
• Self-Awareness/Emotional Intelligence.
• Stress Management.
• Team Leadership.
• Teamwork.
• Working Strategically.

Qualifications and Experience:

The IPC must have classification 1, 2 or 3 as recognized by the Nova Scotia Department of Education and Early Childhood Development. Training/certification in “Building Blocks, strategies for Inclusion”, Child Abuse Protocol Training (CAP) and Culturally Responsive Practice Training – or in the process of working towards.

Demonstrates effective interpersonal, time management and organizational skills, and shows the ability to maintain collaborative partnerships internally and externally to the organization. Must be able to demonstrate the ability to work independently collaboratively in a team environment.

Essential Duties of Position:
Advance the vision and mission of the YWCA Halifax: Building strong internal/external relationships, developing and supporting indoor/outdoor inclusive environments.

Physical Environment:

• Collaborate with other team members to design and maintain a developmentally appropriate, culturally responsive, child focused indoor/outdoor program learning environments (including YWCA Before and After School Programs).
• Provides for active physical play including both indoor and outdoor.
• Make recommendations and updates to Regional Manager regarding physical space, risk management, and maintenance improvements.

Health and Safety:

• Follow and assess established procedures for diapering, toilet training, and hand washing.
• Change children’s wet or soiled clothing when necessary.
• Knowledge and compliance of food safety and Provincial Health and Safety Guidelines/protocols to ensure an inclusive learning environment.
• Certification in Food Safety (Food Handlers training), and WHIMIS
• Assist ECEs in maintaining readily accessible, current list of emergency contacts and phone numbers for children and staff.
• Ensure all staff have first aid kits and child emergency contact information on outings.
• Monitor and Replenish centre/program first aid kits.
• Work in collaboration with kitchen staff to ensure that children with allergies, restrictions, and other special conditions receive the appropriate food and other accommodation.
• Release children to authorized parents/guardians/caregivers only.
• Follow duties as outlined in emergency plans and remain calm during drills and emergency evacuations, while assessing special needs that emerge in such situations.
• Ensure that children are always supervised and in accordance with Department of Education and Early Childhood Development regulations.
• Collaborate with Regional Manager to ensure Centre complies with all mandatory departmental childcare acts and regulations.

Communication and Professionalism:

• Respect the confidentiality of all information related to the children, their families, staff, clients, and non-published information pertaining to all YWCA programs.
• Demonstrate professionalism – self evaluates, participates in professional development opportunities (courses, workshops, seminars, etc.), and ensures they stay current in the Early Child Development field, particularly in the areas of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Accessibility.
• Maintain a courteous and professional relationship with co-workers and management.

• Collaborate with ECE team to investigate new routines, activities, approaches, and    their effect on an inclusive environment.

• Monitor and supports performance of ECEs through coaching and goal-setting conversations as it relates to the centres’ inclusion programming.
• Make recommendations to Regional Manager on communication to parents and health care professionals regarding referrals for children who may require “special care” (Individual developmental support) and/or specific supports and resources; where parent concerns arise, IPC will communicate with Regional Manager for support.

• Establishes and coordinates meetings/referrals with external child development support partners as it pertains to induvial children with diverse needs in need of extra support.
• Attend mandatory staff meetings.
• Dress appropriately according to the needs of the job but within the boundaries of professional workplace attire.
• Committed to and interested in the promotion of the mission of YWCA Halifax and YWCA Canada.
• Assist Regional Manager and/or Assistant Manager with daily operational procedures when required and other duties deemed necessary.

• In collaboration with the Regional Manager and Assistant Manager, the IPC will assist in the advancement of the program and initiatives.
• Champion the implementation of the Centre’s Quality Improvement Plan (QIP) and S.M.A.R.T goals in consultation with the Regional Manager and/or Assistant Manager.
• Communicate with families on ways to incorporate inclusion, diversity and community into the classroom environment based on the children’s home experiences.

Parents & Children

• Maintain a professional relationship with families/parents.
• Act as a resource for families according to individual capabilities and qualifications.
• Integrate new children and parents into the centre by providing a welcoming atmosphere by informing parents of policy, program, and procedure.
• Assure progress reports are accurate and submitted on time.
• Support parent and family involvement in the program.

• Keeps parents of children receiving IPP’s (Individual Program Plans) informed of their child’s progress and/or any behavioral challenges or concerns when relevant.

Program Responsibilities

• Assess programs for developmental suitability.
• Assist in program planning, including activities, learning experiences, and general classroom conduct.
• In collaboration with ECE teams, the IPC will develop and integrate culturally responsive and reflective principles and practices into the classroom and the Centre as a whole.
• Establish routines in classrooms that enable an inclusive environment.

• Establishes classroom routines and smooth transition times.
• Communicate with children at their own individual and developmental level.
• Set realistic behaviour expectations following the YWCA Behaviour Guidance Policy.
• Regularly assess children’s needs, interests and abilities and uses results to develop program activities in coordination with the Early Years Curriculum Framework.
• Works daily in cooperation with centre staff to carry out Routine Based Plans (RBPs) or Individual Program Plans (IPPs).
• Maintains information and documentation, including observations, meeting minutes progress reports, (RBPs) or (IPPs).
• Works in collaboration with Regional Manager and/or Assistant manager to develop, report and deliver the centre Quality Improvement Plan (QIP)-ongoing basis
• Participates as a team member by keeping the Regional Manager and/or Assistant Manager informed of classroom activities and Individual program Plans (IPP’s)
• Assists/supports team members with classroom management as it relates to individual support for children, as well as seek out resources to support staff.
• Ratio coverage when/where necessary
• In collaboration with the Regional Manager, will be the team lead for Provincial Assessment Program – (Quality Matters) where it relates to the two key elements, Environment (classroom) & Relationships (Parents and staff).
• In collaboration with the Regional Manager and/or Assistant Manager, is responsible for creating, collecting, and purchasing classroom materials and supplies as per program curriculum requirements.
• Conducts centre tours, and new family enrolment orientation

Work Conditions

• Caring for children is physically and mentally demanding.
• Work requires heavy lifting, bending, stooping, carrying, and reaching overhead.
• Work may require long periods of standing or walking.
• Behaviour management and guidance are needed when working with children.
• Shifts are rotating and dependent upon the needs of the program.
• Shifts may extend depending upon the needs of the program.

Usual office hours 40hrs/wk. Some duties may require off-site work. Occasional evenings or weekends may be required (i.e., staff meetings, program and/or organizational events), or to meet specific deadlines as determined by the Regional Manager.

The above requirements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. Duties other than those described above may be assigned.

Special Conditions of Employment: Current First Aid with CPR/AED-C, WHMIS, Criminal Record Check (vulnerable sector), Child Abuse Registry Check.

• Caring for children can be physically and mentally demanding.
• Work may require dealing effectively and calmly with emotional situations
• Work may require heavy lifting, bending, stooping, carrying, and reaching overhead
• Work may require sustained periods of standing or walking
• Will require travel to multiple locations as per scheduled and/or directed/required
• Travel/transportation required
• Flexibility/dependability

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.