Early Learning Childcare Educator

EARLY LEARNING CHILDCARE EDUCATOR

POSITION DESCRIPTION

OVERVIEW

As an Early Learning and Childcare Educator (ELCE), you will be part of a passionate, collaborative team dedicated to providing high-quality care and early education for children aged 12 months to 5 years. In this role, you will foster a nurturing, inclusive, and stimulating environment that promotes each child's well-being, growth, and learning. You will implement creative, child-centered programming aligned with best practices in early childhood education, while ensuring safety, respect, and open communication with children, families, and fellow staff.

CORE VALUES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Compassion: Demonstrate kindness, respectfulness and understanding in all interactions.

• Professionalism: Maintain a high standard of ethical behaviour in all aspects of work

• Accountability: Responsible for providing high-quality care to children

• Respect: Treat each child, family and colleagues with respect and valuing their unique worth

• Child-Centered Approach:  Focus on the individual need, interests and developmental stages of each child

• Lifelong Learning:  Engage in ongoing professional development and continuous improvement

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Plan and implement creative, flexible programming based on children’s interests, sound theory and practice

• Support children’s development through planned and spontaneous play-based learning experiences

• Prepare materials and equipment for daily programming 

• Promote an inclusive and respectful atmosphere for all children and families

• Supervise and engage children in a variety of indoor and outdoor activities, including during times of inclement weather

• Build strong, positive, and supportive relationships with children, families, and colleagues

• Maintain ongoing communication with families, appropriate personnel and team members regarding children and the program

• Provide program supervision that meets the children’s mental, emotional, spiritual, and physical needs

• Uphold a safe, healthy and emotionally secure environment for the children

• Perform routine sanitation and sterilization of toys, equipment, and high-touch surfaces

• Ability to work in a high energy environment with changing priorities

• Respond and adapt to ever changing situations

• Participate in required training programs including:

  • ASaP training through GRIT

  • HiMama Software

  • Alberta’s Early Learning Curriculum: Play, Participation and Possibilities

  • Brain Story Certification

• Participate in initiatives supporting the agency and the community

• Perform other duties as required.

EDUCATION

• Certification as an Alberta Early Childcare Educator –  Level 3

• Completion of an Early Learning Childcare Diploma or equivalent combination of education and experience combined  

• Completion of FLIGHT – Alberta’s Early learning and Care Framework an asset  OR  must have a willingness to obtain

QUALIFICATION AND REQUIREMENTS

Experience:

• Experience and/or education in working with children aged 12 months to 5 years

• Ability to apply intentional teaching and planning methods

• Strong organizational skills and adaptability to changing priorities

• Team player who can also work independently

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS and CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

• Alberta Childcare Certification Level 3

• Annual membership to AECEA is required within 90 days of hire 

• Current Alberta Intervention Record Check (obtained within the past 6 months or more recent to hire date)

• Criminal Record Check with Vulnerable Sector Clearance (obtained within the past 6 months or more recent to hire date at applicants’ expense)

• Current certification in Standard Childcare First Aid with CPR/AED or Standard First Aid with CPR/AED (must be a 3-year certification and valid for 12 months)

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Frequent kneeling, stooping, and squatting (up to 75% of the shift)

• Lifting to 50 lbs.

• Prolonged standing and walking (up to 75% of the shift)

• Occasional overhead reaching

• Willingness to wear PPE if required

At Community Options, our team is committed to maintaining a welcoming, diverse, and inclusive space. As an inclusive and equitable employer, we encourage and welcome all qualified individuals, particularly from racialized, BIPOC, and LGBTQ2S+ communities.

Thank you to all who apply but only those candidates considered for an interview will be contacted.