Early Childhood Educator

Job Summary

•             The Early Childhood Educator will provide a quality caring and supportive child care program to children and parents at Abbotsford Childcare. The program addresses unique childcare needs, meets all regulatory standards required by federal, provincial and municipal governments, and operates within the Child Care Practitioner Occupational Standards and Code of Ethics as defined by the Canadian Child Care Federation. This position reports to the Director of Abbotsford Childcare.

Duties & Responsibilities

1.  Plan, carry out, and assess developmentally appropriate activities and experiences in harmony with the center’s philosophy

•             Provide a daily balance of active/quiet, indoor/outdoor, and individual/group activities

•             Establish and carry out a daily activity schedule that incorporates child directed activity, care routines and transition times

•             Organize space, equipment and materials before activities

•             Assist children in expressing themselves by listening and responding with questions or comments that extend conversations

•             Use a variety of teaching techniques including modelling, observing, questioning, demonstrating, and reinforcing Encourage and assist children to practice self-help daily

•             Plan and carry out experiences that foster an understanding of a variety of cultures and value systems

•             Provide opportunity each day for each child to be alone

•             Provide opportunity for child directed play experience

•             Plan and carry out activities that encourage problem solving

•             Provide experiences and play materials that actively promote diversity and acceptance in interactions and attitudes

•             Participate in short and long term planning and evaluation and staff program reviews

•             Learn and use the activities and skills provided to assist children in developing the necessary coping skills for addressing unique life issues

2.  Individualize the curriculum

•             Observe how children use materials and interact with each other and adults

•             Use observations to expand play and plan activities that recognize individual difference

•             Initiate referrals or additional services for parents and children 

3.  Ensure guidance of children’s behavior that encourages positive self-concept 

•             Set reasonable behavior expectations consistent with center’s philosophy and policies

•             Provide positive guidelines such as redirecting, positive language, and positive reinforcement

•             Immediately address problem behavior without labelling the child

•             Follow behavior guidance and policies established by the center and consistent with accepted practice in the field

•             Maintain a knowledge and understanding of the services offered by Abbotsford Childcare for referral to parents

4.  Ensure the child’s environment is healthy and safe

•             Follow the center’s procedures for administering medications and maintaining health records

•             Report all accidents, injuries and illnesses to the manager or delegate and record such incidents in the daily log book and as a serious occurrence if necessary

•             Monitor the environment for hazards

•             Update self-daily on children’s allergies and other special conditions

•             Establish daily eating routines that are fun for children

•             Attend to children’s physical needs for toileting, diapering, eating and sleeping as promptly as possible 

•             Report all incidents of child abuse to the supervisor and follow center procedure and government regulations

•             Release children only to authorized persons

5.  Ensure positive communication with parents

•             Plan for parent conferences

•             Discuss the programs daily events and the child’s daily progress with parents

•             Accommodate the parent’s instructions for daily routines when possible within group routines

•             Encourage parents to participate whenever possible 

6.  Contribute to the ongoing operations of the center

•             Follow licensing requirements

•             Carry out the responsibilities assigned to you

•             Attend regular staff meetings

•             Maintain confidentiality of all information related to the center’s children, their parents, and staff

•             Participate in the annual performance review process

•             Contribute to annual plan for the center

•             Plan and carry out annual personal development

•             Keep up to date with early childhood advocacy developments

•             Maintain regular attendance and punctuality

7.  Promote the center within the community

•             Actively participate in Abbotsford Childcare staff activities whenever possible

•             Maintain a positive working relationship with other Abbotsford Childcare staff and others who work within the building

Desired Competencies & Behaviors

•             Believes in and practices the mission, goals of the program

•             Ability to build trust and positive relationships with families in the program

•             Act as a role model of appropriate behavior

•             Ability to work cooperatively as a member of the childcare team, facilitating a team environment through personal behavior, work contributions and the sharing of expertise and knowledge

•             Participates in the developing of new ideas and methods for program enhancement and has the ability to adjust and adapt to changes

•             Maintains a constant awareness of the “client” and exhibits recognition and appreciation of their needs with the ability to achieve results with positive outcomes for families accessing the program

•             Ability to be energetic, resilient and maintains a sense of humor when personal resources are challenged

•             Achieves results with positive outcomes for children in the program

•             Effective interpersonal skills under all types of conditions, exhibiting a supportive, positive approach

•             A high degree of personal initiative with good planning and organizational skills

•             Maintains timely and accurate files

•             Continuing personal and professional development in related areas

•             Actively incorporates volunteers into the program area

•             Ability to lift (up to 25 kg)

Please send us your resume / cv and copy of ECE certificate through email at abbotsfordchildcare@gmail.com