Early Childhood Educator I

Job Summary

The Early Childhood Educator (ECE) at Hope’s Home plays a significant role in educating and implementing developmentally appropriate programs to the children in our care and inspiring their curiosity and encouraging them to explore. Using the Reggio philosophy, the ECE plans and delivers inclusive and engaging learning experiences for children of all ages and abilities. The ECE works closely with other front-line employees and engages with parents, caregivers, and outside agencies to ensure the needs of the child are being met through programming and appropriate activities. This position reports directly to the Early Learning & Childcare Manager.

Responsibilities

Education and Development

• Engage in active supervision to protect and promote the psychological and physical safety, health, and well-being of each child.
• Responsible for maintaining Ministry of Education required adult to child ratios throughout the day.
• Spend time one-on-one with the children to develop a sincere, understanding, and loving relationship with each child.
• Practice an inclusive approach by altering activities and program plans to accommodate all ability levels and collaborate with co-workers when extra support is needed.
• Plan and implement fun, engaging and inclusive daily experiences that support and promote each child’s development in multiple areas (physical, emotional, social, communicative, cognitive, and creative skills).
• Experiment with the classroom set up so that all stations offer a variety of experiences (writing table, dramatic play, sensory table, cozy corner, clock area, art centre etc.).
• Plan and set up invitations that are open ended and allow opportunity for creativity and exploration, in an educational environment.
• Identify learning projects and implement using Hope’s Home adopted “project approach”.
• Create and provide developmentally appropriate programs that are focused on new skill development (early intervention).
• Plan and provide opportunity for creative expression through the mediums of art, dramatic play, and music.
• Encourage community engagement by planning and organizing outings in the community and special activities such as sports day or carnival day, car wash, bake sale, or family barbecue, food drives, etc.
• Ensure children’s cultural backgrounds are appropriately recognized and cultural activities are integrated into education programs.
• Provide multiple stations, a variety of toys and supplies in the environment to keep children engaged.
• Observe the kids’ ideas and interests and plan classroom activities around them using the Project Approach and Play and Exploration.
• Allow children the opportunity to express their thoughts through play.
• Research different methods and resources to help each child get to their full potential.
• Implement interventions and strategies to support observed and documented behaviors.
• Collaborate with each member of the Hope’s Home team, family member, outside agencies, and community services regarding a child’s care or program plan.
• Participate in a co-teaching environment (level III’s mentor level I’s and II’s).
• Support and provide leadership to new and casual staff entering your room.
• Continue your education by participating in professional development days and courses to expand your knowledge.

Administration

• Responsible for direct reporting in ways of developmental assessments and anecdotal records to document milestones, set goals, and create action plans for future development.
• Prepare Kindergarten readiness checklists and discuss results with parents’ and caregivers.
• Prepare documentation and track occurrences of behaviours by means of Behavior Communication Reports and Progress Notes.
• Develop a Behaviour Intervention Plan (BIP) in collaboration with the manager and families.
• Document children's learning on projects so it can be shown to management and communicated to the parents (poster boards, web mapping, HiMama Photos)
• Communicate electronically and in person daily during drop off and pick up times with parents and caregivers to share accomplishments, concerns, and upcoming events.
• Responsible for recording programing expenditures, keeping receipts, and submitting to the admin monthly.
• Keep record of children’s attendance daily.
• Submit a requisition to the manager on any items that need replaced due to being out of stock, damaged or a change to the environment or program.
• Purchase programming supplies and record and reconcile programming expenses monthly.
• Report any safety or program concerns to the manager.
• Complete the Program Checklist every three months to conduct a self-assessment on your own program.
• Complete necessary documentation required for communication and manager signature, such as minor injury reports, unusual occurrence reports etc.
• Keep current with updates on care plans provided by caregivers and management.
• Complete transition plans as required.
• Attend all staff meetings and keep up to date on all new policies and procedures specific to the location.

Occupational Health and Safety

• Create a psychologically safe work environment (resolve conflicts in respectful ways and ensure a fair resolution, provide an environment where employees feel safe and supported to share ideas, listen, learn from, and seek to understand the ideas of others).
• Complete all required OHS training.
• Monitor, report and resolve any safety hazards in the work environment.

Qualifications

• Completion of Early Childhood Education Level I, II, or III.
• Current First Aid/CPR Training.
• Previous experience providing childcare with all abilities an asset.
• Experience with Emergent Curriculum and the Project Approach an asset.

Skills and Abilities

• Ability to work with children of all ages and abilities.
• Able to work independently and as a team player.
• Strong collaborator and communicator (both verbal and written) with staff, parents and outside agencies.
• Demonstrated organizational and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to observe and accurately assess children, the environment and daily program effectiveness.
• Flexible and adaptable to changes in the work environment.
• Technical aptitude and knowledge of Microsoft Office.

Working Conditions

• Monday to Friday workdays with varied start and end times between 7am and 6:00pm.
• Physically able to safely work with objects or persons of varying sizes:
  • Handling ~100 lbs occasionally
  • ~50 lbs regularly; and
  • ~25 lbs continuously.
• Physical position changes consistently throughout the day (sitting, standing, kneeling etc).
• Exposed to:
  • chemicals, and
  • blood and bodily fluids.
• Fast paced, noisy environment.
• Work with adaptive equipment and technologies.
• Work outdoors with the children in all types of weather conditions.

Monday to Friday
8 hour shifts
40 hours a week