Early Learning Childcare Educator

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 behavior 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.