Director of the Early Learning Centre
Deadline: November 6, 2024
Starting date: As soon as possible
Salary: From $30.51/hour to $35.57/hour
Location: NSCC Waterfront Campus, Sydney, NS
Our Early Learning Centre team inspires, cares and helps shape our children into amazing people! The YMCA of Cape Breton is seeking a dynamic and passionate ECE leader to join our team as Director of the Early Learning Centre in our new childcare facility within Nova Scotia Community College (NSCC).
The Opportunity
The YMCA Experience
The YMCA of Cape Breton is a charitable organization dedicated to the growth of all persons in The YMCA of Cape Breton is one of the largest charities in Nova Scotia and a member of one of the most recognized organizations in the world. Our mission is to connect and ignite the potential in people, helping them grow and give back to our communities. Through building connections with people at all ages and stages of their lives – as well as the broader community – the YMCA of Cape Breton serves over 35,000 people annually.
Programs and services focus on empowering people of all ages and life stages to overcome barriers and rise to their full potential. These include: health, fitness and aquatics; licensed childcare; employment programs (Nova Scotia Works); youth programming and related community services. The YMCA occupies 14 program sites across Cape Breton Island.
The YMCA of Cape Breton offers a great workplace culture achieved through an environment that embraces diversity and social inclusion, values differences, celebrates achievements and supports full participation by all employees. We believe that everyone belongs! The YCB provides 200+ employees with meaningful jobs and the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of individuals and the health of those within our communities.
Position Summary
Reporting to the Senior Manager of Childcare, the Director is accountable for the day-to-day operations and decision making for the YMCA of Cape Breton’s Waterfront Campus Early Learning Centre. The Director is responsible for ensuring all YMCA Playing to Learn curriculum requirements are met and exceeded while complying with the Education & Early Childhood Development Regulations and National YMCA Child Safeguarding Standards. The Director will also lead and support a team of ECEs and centre staff to deliver the safest and highest quality of care to our youngest learners at the YMCA.
In support of our mandate, team and partners, the Director of the Early Learning Centre will:
- Monitor and evaluate implementation of YMCA Playing to Learn curriculum.
- Complete administration duties as required; including correspondence with provincial licensing staff, ensure all paperwork is in order for licensing inspections, support staff to ensure licensing regulations are being followed.
- Consistently represent YMCA’s values and mission; comply with all YMCA Policies, Procedures & Best Practices, Provincial Licensing, Child Safeguarding, and Health & Safety regulations.
- Achieve registration targets by optimizing room capacities via parent tours and utilizing and managing waitlists.
- Ensures high service standards and satisfaction ratings throughout all programs and achieves quality targets established through association goals and national standards.
- Develop relationships with external partners to enhance care for children and families.
- Participate in program delivery as a staff member in ratio.
- Responsible for human resource management including recruiting, onboarding, training, timesheets, performance management, credential/safety checks monitoring, and mentoring of ELC staff.
- Coordinate staff coverage for sick and vacation days and maintain a sufficient relief staff to ensure coverage.
- Maintain child, staff and volunteer files in accordance with government regulations.
- Respond to internal/external questions, and address/resolve parent, participant, staff, and volunteer concerns and in a timely manner.
- Create, coach and implement a training plan for new and existing front line and leadership staff, including professional development opportunities.
- Facilitate monthly staff meetings.
- Support and mentor student placements.
- Identify grant opportunities and submit applications.
- Manage and report on all grant applications for the ELC.
- Provide input on annual budget financials and ongoing monitoring and variance reporting.
- Complete annual staff performance reviews.
- Engage and foster positive, collaborative relationships with parents, volunteers, staff, and community agencies.
- Chair and participant of parent committee.
- Lead by example in modelling YMCA core value system in coaching/developing and leading staff towards delivery on operational objectives and Y mandate.
- Ability to assume other roles in the centre when needed.
Other duties as assigned by Senior Manager, Childcare Division.
Qualifications
- Post-Secondary graduate in a related program
- Level 2 or 3 Early Childhood Educator Nova Scotia Classification Required
- Minimum 3 years in a management position
- Strong working knowledge and experience in Early Learning, Child/Youth Development, Inclusion and Nova Scotia Childcare Licensing Acts and Regulations
- Experience developing and delivering employee training programs.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Valid Nova Scotia Driver’s License or access to reliable transportation
- Flexibility to work outside of regular work hours on an as needed basis.
- Excellent verbal and written skills
- Strong interpersonal skills
- Intermediate Microsoft Office Skills
- Food Handler certificate
Note: Successful candidates will be required to provide a current and satisfactory Criminal Record Check/ Vulnerable Sector Check and Child Abuse Registry Check. They will also be required to attend YMCA Child Protection Training, as well as successfully complete First Aid and CPR training.
We offer:
- Participation in Comprehensive Group Benefits and Pension Plan
- Employee Family Assistance Program (EFAP)
- Strong Work Life Balance Programs (15 Days Paid Vacation, 11 Wellness Days per year)
- Discounted Childcare and Program Rates
- Flexible work schedule
The YMCA of Cape Breton is an equal opportunity employer that values the diversity of people and communities and is committed to excellence and inclusion in our Association. We are committed to an environment that is barrier free. If you require accommodation during the hiring process, please inform us in advance to arrange reasonable and appropriate accommodation.
How To Apply
Please email your cover letter and resume in one document to HR@cb.ymca.ca by 4:30 pm ADT Wednesday November 6, 2024. It is imperative that the cover letter and resume illustrate your professional competencies in relation to this position. Please reference YMCA-DIRECTOR-NSCC24 in the subject line and note only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.
We look forward to hearing from you!