Early Childhood Educator
Position Title: Early Childhood Educator
Location: Undetermined
Reports To: Site Lead
Pay Grid: $15.00 - $19.00
Department: Before and After School Program
Hours: 6:30 AM – 9:15 AM / 2:15 PM – 6:00 PM (times may slightly vary)
Our Culture:
YMCA of Medicine Hat strives to integrate our commitment to diversity and social inclusion in all that we do. We believe that strong leadership is created through the sharing of diverse experiences and perspectives. We actively seek candidates who embody these principles and who reflect the many dimensions of the communities we serve. We are a charitable organization that provides health and fitness opportunities, employment services, licensed childcare, and various community programs in Medicine Hat, Redcliff, and Brooks. When you work at the YMCA, you’ll play an important part in building strong, thriving communities while positively impacting people’s lives. Join our team at the Y, a place where everyone belongs — including you!
Our mission and core values are brought to life by our culture. In the Y, we strive to live our cause of strengthening communities with purpose and intentionality every day, demonstrating our values in action.
We do the right thing.
We are caring, respectful, honest, and responsible in all that we do.
We put people first.
We believe in each other – honouring our strengths, diversity, perspectives, and passions.
We keep our promises.
We do what we say we will do.
We lead by example.
We are courageous, speaking with conviction and always willing to listen and collaborate.
What qualifications are we looking for?
At the YMCA of Medicine Hat, we strive to ensure our employees are a good fit based on their strengths, interests, and future goals.
The successful candidate will have the following:
Education/Certifications/Credentials/Professional Registration
· Childcare certification Level 1, 2 or 3 required (training and support will be given to obtain your level 1)
· Standard First Aid, CPR-Level C
· Evidence of a clear Police Information Check (with Vulnerable Sector Search if applicable), within the last six months
· Must have a valid driver’s license with a class 07 automobile insurance coverage business use (or pleasure with occasional business use) and a minimum of $2,000,000 in liability coverage.
Knowledge & Skills
Working with children in a childcare environment age 5-12
Ability to fluently use the entire MS Office suite.
Ability to act professionally in all situations, representing the YMCA according to its core values.
Able to deal with difficult situations and complaints with confidence.
Excellent customer services, organization, and time management skills
Excellent verbal and written communication skills
· Excellent interpersonal and Leadership skills
Self-motivated with the ability to direct personal performance to achieve desired results without constant direct supervision.
Knowledge of Alberta Childcare Act and Regulations
What does this role look like at the YMCA of Medicine Hat?
This position is responsible to be in ratio at the Before & After School Care program sites to provide high quality childcare to the children in the program. This position is also required to be in ratio for all PD days and all Licensed Camps when needed.
The responsibilities and duties of this role will include but is not limited to:
Customer Service
· Attending all YMCA staff meetings as required.
· Attending Parent Engagement Meetings, assist the Site Lead in the planning of the event.
YMCA Values
· Demonstrate and promote a personal understanding of and appreciation for the mission, vision, and values of the YMCA and its programs and services
· Demonstrates appropriate behaviors in line with our Mission, Vision and Values as reflected in our YMCA competencies; takes a member focused approach to increase their understanding of programs offered across the Association.
Teamwork
· Work effectively within the Before and After School Program team, contributing to its overall success by:
- Promoting the YMCA’s annual Strong Kids Campaign
- Promoting and/or attending YMCA events
- Contributing to a positive and healthy workplace culture
- Other duties to assist the team, as assigned.
· Re-deployment to additional YMCA programs such as child minding, camp programs, youth and preschool programs, events, etc.
· Working collaboratively with educators, site leads, site directors, parents, schools, and other representatives from the YMCA to ensure that the needs of the children in program are met.
SAM Standards
· Achieve all quality standards and targets established under YMCA best practices and the YMCA’s SAM 2.1 program.
· General cleaning as required around the facility.
· Ensuring all staff are aware of SAM 2.1 standards, and work with them to create a culture of excellence in adherence to guidelines and expectations outlined by the SAM 2.1 manual.
· Act as a Place to Connect Champion, ensuring the curriculum is effectively implemented in each assigned site ensuring that daily activities are planned and set up for the children which are based on the children’s interests.
· Attending all core trainings on curriculum.
· Completing documentation for programming as required by the A Place to Connect Curriculum
· Review and ensure Play in Action standards are met.
· Complete set up, take down and daily cleaning tasks and ensure that YMCA SAM standards are maintained.
· Participate in annual YMCA Play in Action audit and achieve a minimum score of 85%
Interpersonal/Communication Skills
· Communicate effectively with coworkers, supervisors, managers, and the senior leadership team.
· Ensure workplace conflicts are resolved quickly, following YMCA policies and procedures.
· Provide excellent communication and customer service to parents, guardians, and the community.
· Ensure that written and verbal communication with parents is ongoing and presenting using a strength-based approach.
· Role model appropriate leadership, communication and behaviors to all children and community members
Quality of Work
Understand healthy child development and use this knowledge to plan activities to meet the developmental needs of the children.
Understand physical literacy and use this knowledge to plan activities to meet the children’s gross motor development.
Engage in play with the children to develop healthy relationships while supporting the development of pro-social skills, gross motor skills, fine motor skills, dramatic play, etc.
Facilitate and engage children in planned activities during out-of-school times including PD days, school breaks, and summer camps.
· Seek out personal professional development opportunities.
· Ensure all child/children’s paperwork is up to date in the Avocado System
· Ensure that the out-of-school care program space is set up in a way that supports supervision, while remaining clutter free and safe for the children
Compliance with Legislation and YMCA Policies and Procedures
· Adherence to the following at all times:
· YMCA Child Protection and Operational Policies and Procedures
· Public health and safety regulations
· Occupational Health and Safety
· Ensuring that licensing regulations are always maintained in all assigned sites.
· Report all critical incidents at assigned sites within immediately to Site Leads
· Keep Before and After School Site Leads apprised of all issues at assigned sites related to licensing.
· Review policies at all assigned sites on a monthly, rotating basis (includes all YMCA of Medicine Hat Policies & Procedures, including Child Protection and Health & Safety)
· Ensure Licensing ratios are always maintained while on site
· Ensure all health and safety procedures are always followed, this includes preventative cleaning of toys, fire safety procedures, emergency procedures, etc.
· Ensure that you are familiar with each child’s health information including their allergies and medications, as well as the location and how to administer the medication. Required forms must be completed by the parents.
Work Environment and Physical Demands
· Work in loud noisy environment
· May be going from standing to seating positions, from standing to kneeling positions, from kneeling to standing positions, from seating to standing positions for most of the working day, there will be walking throughout the day.
· May lift or move items up to 50 lbs. including children.
· May be exposed to all weather conditions while working outside.
· May be exposed to children or adults who may not be vaccinated.
· May be exposed to verbal/physical abuse from external and internal clients.
Please Apply:
With a cover letter, resume, and 3 references (email addresses and phone numbers) who can attest to your character and previous work and/or volunteer performance.
Please send application packages to:
Brooklyn Straub
Site Manager
YMCA Medicine Hat
770 1st St SE