Childcare and Early Years Relief Worker

Who are we? Pinecrest-Queensway Community Health Centre is an innovative community-based, multi-service center. We strive to meet the needs of the diverse communities we serve. We work in partnership with individuals, families, and communities to achieve their full potential, paying particular attention to those who are most vulnerable and at risk. PQCHC is an equal-opportunity employer and values diversity in its workforce.

Job Summary:

• Early ON Child and Family Centre
• Headstart Childcare
• Shelter Respite
• Leaping Lizards
• Canadian Pre-natal Nutrition Program

Job Specific Responsibilities:

• Provide child initiated and adult supported experiences.
• Supports children, parent, and caregivers with a sense of belonging, well-being, engagement, and expression through daily routines.
• Promote children’s mental health by supporting them to form close and secure relationships with adults and peers and encourage them to experience, manage, and express a full range of emotions.
• Maintain a safe, secure environment.
• Model appropriate child guidance techniques.
• Implement program plans on a daily basis as established or modified.
• Assume responsibility for a share of the team tasks (weekly sanitizing, room setup, end of day cleanup).
• Work with children with special needs and provide adaptations when appropriate.
• Sensitive to the needs and preferences of families.
• Complete appropriate observational records as required.
• Ensure volunteers are not left unattended with children.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.
• Plan and develop menus according to Canada’s Food Guide with consideration to dietary restrictions and food allergies (Shelter Respite and Leaping Lizards).

Qualifications:

• Diploma in Early Child Education or comparable post-secondary education.
• Experience working in an early years environment essential.
• Experience in program planning and delivery in accordance to How Does Learning Happen.
• Excellent knowledge of child development, emergent curriculum, and Ontario’s Pedagogy for the Early Years; How Does Learning Happen
• Experience working with people of diverse cultures and backgrounds in a community-based setting.
• Experience and sensitivity working with all families including those in an urban core setting, culturally diverse, 2SLGBTQIA, young parents, etc.
• Organizational skills.
• Interpersonal skills with both adults and children.
• First Aid/CPR certificate an asset (required for Childcare).
• Experience in program planning.
• Demonstrated ability and experience working with children with special needs.

Common Responsibilities:

Administrative

• Preserves confidentiality of all client and employee information and seeks to minimize risk while working with data.
• Performs administrative functions as required by the program.
• Submits records of time worked and time off in a timely manner.
• Maintains and develops professional competence through appropriate continuing education methods.
• Complies and adheres to all applicable Centre policies and procedures.

Organizational Responsibilities

• Respects and values the diversity of the community and individuals.
• Supports the Centre’s student placement programs.
• Consults with and provides support to team members and other PQCHC employees regarding professional issues.
• Participates in the development of policies and procedures by providing feedback in the Centre’s policy development process.
• Works in a manner that incorporates health promotion and recognizes the determinants of health.
• Participates in team and individual professional development opportunities.

Occupational Health and Safety

• Works in a manner that promotes a safe, secure environment, and is compliant with the Duties of Workers under the Ontario Occupational Health and Safety Act.
• Must read and follow the Centre’s occupational health and safety policies.
• Works safely in consideration of job hazards: noise, workplace violence.
• Uses appropriate personal protective equipment as directed.
• Participates in Occupational Health and Safety Training as required.

Personal Suitability/Other Requirements

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with adults and children.
• The physical demands analysis associated with this job indicates; a light to medium level of work (lifting up to 24 kg or 44 lbs), bending, stooping, the need to have an adequate energy level to meet physical demands of the position, must be able to work outdoors for at least 1 hour per day year-round; may be exposed to heat, humidity, and cold.

Linguistic Profile (for Centres with French Language Service Designations)

• Under the Centre’s designation to provide French Language Services for identified positions.
• Based on New Avenues Linguistics Rating Scale: A+ (highest skill) to C- (lowest skill)
• French (oral expression): A+ (preferred)
• French (oral comprehension): A+ (preferred)
• French (reading comprehension): A+ (preferred)
• Other languages are an asset.