Early Childhood Educator Level 1, 2, & 3

Position Title: Early Childhood Educator Level 1, 2, & 3

Reports to: Child Care Supervisor

Pay Grid: 16.50-19.30

Department: Child Care

Our Culture:

YMCA of Southeastern Alberta 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 Southeastern Alberta, we strive to ensure our employees are a good fit based on their strengths, interests, and future goals.

The successful candidate is required to have the following:

Education/Certifications/Credentials/Professional Registration

• Child Development Certificate (Level 1, 2, or 3)· Standard First Aid and CPR

• Evidence of a clear Police Information Check (with vulnerable sector search), within the last six months

• Must have a valid driver’s license with class 07 automobile insurance coverage business use (or pleasure with occasional business use) and a minimum of $2,000,000 in liability coverage

Skills & Knowledge

• Thorough working knowledge of the Government of Alberta’s Childcare Licensing Regulations

• Knowledge and understanding of the confidentiality required for the protection of the children and parents

• Ability to prepare neat accurate written work

• Skilled communication and observation techniques

• Ability to organize and implement daily programming

• Ability to work with others

• Ability and flexibility to work with all age groups

• Ability to work with a minimum amount of supervision

• Ability to understand and implement daily routines

What does this role look like at the YMCA of Southeastern Alberta?

Reporting to the Child Care Supervisor, this role is responsible for the daily and monthly planning and implementation of the YMCA’s Playing to Learn curriculum. Based on the children’s interests, this position ensures all programming is age appropriate and develops the physical, social, emotional, and intellectual skills of the children.

The responsibilities and duties of this role include but are not limited to:

Customer Service

• Interact with children’s caregivers during drop off and pick up, sharing pertinent information about the child’s day

• Design daily posts for the Weemarkables app to share the children’s activities and accomplishments with caregivers

• Talk with caregivers 1-1 to address concerns or create behaviour plans

YMCA Values

• Exemplify the values of honesty, respect, responsibility, caring, and inclusiveness at all times

Teamwork

• Housekeeping duties to keep all work areas clean and organized (e.g., washing and disinfecting surfaces, toys, floors, bathrooms, change areas, etc.)

• Provide coverage in other rooms or programs, as needed. This may require the ability to transport self to other service locations.

• Work effectively within the childcare team, contributing to its overall success by:

  • Promoting the YMCA’s annual Y Connect Campaign

  • Promoting and/or attending YMCA events

  • Contributing to a positive and healthy workplace culture

  • Other duties to assist the team, as assigned

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

• Ensure communication with children is age and developmentally appropriate

• Communicate consistently and effectively with caregivers

Quality of Work

• Responsible for the daily supervision of children, including during off-site field trips

• Ability to monitor head counts and staff-to-child ratios while actively engaging with children

• Ability to retain information about each child, including specific allergies, emergency medications, behaviour plans, authorized pickups, etc.

• Willingness to administer emergency medications when needed

• Complete safety inspections and checklists on the program area/building, play areas, toys, materials, and furnishings to ensure they are safe, in good repair, and hygienically maintained

• Assist children with toileting, as needed. This may include changing diapers, changing soiled clothing, cleaning up accidents, and/or helping with wiping.

Compliance with Legislation and YMCA Policies and Procedures

Adherence to the following at all times:

• Government of Alberta Childcare Licensing Regulations

• YMCA Child Protection Policy

• Program Plan in place for each specific site worked

• Public health and safety regulations

• Occupational Health and Safety

• Playing to Learn / Place to Connect curriculum

Standards that Shine

• Achieve all quality standards and targets established under YMCA best practices and the YMCA’s Standards that Shine

• General cleaning as required around the facility

• Ensuring all staff are aware of Standards that Shine, and work with them to create a culture of excellence in adherence to guidelines and expectations outlined by the Standards that Shine

Playing to Learn/Place to Connect

• Complete all required curriculum training

• Ensure all programming and documentation is completed according to the applicable curriculum

• Ensure program space meets curriculum criteria

• Assist in the preparation for Playing to Learn/Place to Connect audits, ensuring the YMCA receives a passing a grade

Work Environment and Physical Demands

• Program space located on the main floor.

• Interacting with children at their level, requiring the ability to:

  • Get up and down from the floor/ground

  • Pick smaller children up

  • Assist older children to climb the stairs to get onto the change table

  • Play with children on outdoor playground equipment

  • Participate in games that may include jogging, jumping, dancing, singing, etc.

• From time to time, may need to lift boxes of files weighing up to 50 lbs

• Exposure to a variety of outside weather, in accordance with Government of Alberta Childcare Licensing Regulations

• May be exposed to all weather conditions when walking outside to/from vehicle.

• May be exposed to all weather conditions when using a vehicle for occasional business purposes (e.g., driving between programs)

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:   

Sandra Warkentin, General Manager Childcare

YMCA of Southeastern Alberta

525 2nd St SE

sandra.warkentin@medicinehatymca.ca