Job Summary
The Float provides support for various positions within the Early Learning & Childcare program. They provide a high level of hands-on care to the children in our care, while educating and implementing developmentally appropriate programs. This position requires flexibility and the ability to provide coverage for Early Childhood Educator’s (ECE), Developmental Worker’s (DW), and Nutrition Specialists. When providing longer term coverage for these positions, the Float is responsible for developing and planning all aspects of the roles. This position reports to the Early Learning & Childcare Manager and does not have any direct reports.
Responsibilities
Early Childhood Educator
- Engage in active supervision to protect and promote the psychological and physical safety, health, and well-being of each child.
- Spend time one-on-one with the children to develop a sincere, understanding, and loving relationship with each child.
- Practice an inclusive approach by altering activities and program plans to accommodate all ability levels and collaborate with co-workers when extra support is needed.
- Implement fun, engaging and inclusive daily experiences that support and promote each child’s development in multiple areas (physical, emotional, social, communicative, cognitive, and creative skills).
- Encourage children to participate in the invitations that are set up.
- Encourage children to participate in the opportunities for creative expression through the mediums of art, dramatic play, and music.
- Encourage children to participate in the multiple stations, a variety of toys and supplies in the environment to keep children engaged.
- Observe the kids’ ideas and interests and provide feedback about classroom activities around them in conjunction with the Project Approach and Play and Exploration.
- Allow children the opportunity to express their thoughts through play.
- Implement interventions and strategies to support observed and documented behaviors.
- Collaborate with each member of the Hope’s Home team, family member, outside agencies, and community services regarding a child’s care or program plan.
- Perform general cleaning duties such as laundry, cleaning/sterilizing toys, dishes etc.
Developmental Worker
- Engage in active supervision to protect and promote the psychological and physical safety, health and well-being of each child being cared for.
- Adheres to children’s personal care plans as advised by supporting professionals (e.g., meals, adaptive equipment etc.).
- Attend to child’s personal care duties for example: dressing, feeding, personal hygiene, toilet training.
- Implement behavior intervention plans in collaboration with managers and families.
- Implement intervention and strategies to support observed behaviours.
- Work with the Physical Development Consultant (PDC) or management to understand child’s Personal Program Plan goals and implement and document the daily activities to enhance child’s growth and meet established goals.
- Implement therapies as directed by management and/or supporting professionals.
- Under the direction of the PDC and/or manager, incorporate the adaptive equipment in daily activities with the children.
- Train on and use on all adaptive equipment, technologies, and therapies and communicate any deficiencies to the PDC and management.
- Promotes inclusion by creating and supporting opportunities for children to:
- interact with one another, and
- participate with their community.
- Prepare and secure children for transportation.
- Provide a variety of toys and activities to keep children engaged and progressing.
- Perform general cleaning duties such as laundry, cleaning/sterilizing toys, dishes etc.
Nutrition Specialist
- Prepare breakfast, lunch, and a snack(s).
- Follow the menu plan created which follows nutrition guidelines set by the Ministry of Education Early Learning & Childcare branch.
- Ensure meal alternatives are available for children with allergies, special diets, and ethnic customs.
- Communicate and work with parents when special dietary items are required, in absence of the Nutrition Specialist.
- Clean dishes and kitchen after each meal/snack.
- Follow and implement all Public Health Guidelines such as:
- test sanitization of the dishwasher daily and record test,
- track and record the fridge and freezer temperatures,
- test sanitization of cleaning solution,
- all universal precautions, and
- food safe guidelines.
- Perform proper sanitary measures including cleaning of surfaces, as well as proper covering and storage of food items according to food safety standards and procedures.
- Date any open food supplies as per Ministry of Education Regulations.
- Maintain storage areas and equipment to ensure a clean and safe environment.
- Monitor and report to the Manager of the Early Learning Centre any kitchen equipment deficiencies.
Administration
- Cover programming time for ECE’s and DW’s.
- Prepare documentation and track occurrences of behaviours by means of Behavior Communication Reports and Progress Notes.
- Document children's learning on projects so it can be shown to management and communicated to the parents (poster boards, web mapping, HiMama Photos)
- Keep record of children’s attendance daily.
- Report any safety or program concerns to the manager.
- Complete necessary documentation required for communication and manager signature, such as minor injury reports, unusual occurrence reports etc.
- Keep current with updates on care plans provided by caregivers and management.
- Complete a monthly anecdotal record for each child in their care.
- Sign off on daily therapy checklists and required documentation.
- Complete forms and assessments as requested by each child’s supporting professionals.
- Maintain daily communication with each child’s family using Hope’s Home approved communication methods.
- Participate in meetings with caregivers and professionals as required.
- Maintain collaborative working relationships with the team, families, outside agencies, and community services.
- Attend all staff meetings and keep up to date on all new policies and procedures specific to the location.
- Participate in on-going professional development, training, and staff meetings.
Occupational Health and Safety
- Create a psychologically safe work environment (resolve conflicts in respectful ways and ensure a fair resolution, provide an environment where employees feel safe and supported to share ideas, listen, learn from, and seek to understand the ideas of others).
- Complete all required OHS training.
- Monitor, report and resolve any safety hazards in the work environment.
Skills and Abilities
- Demonstrated ability to work with children of all ages and abilities.
- Able to receive instruction, implement and receive feedback.
- Able to work independently and as a team player.
- Strong collaborator and communicator (both verbal and written) with staff, families, and outside agencies.
- Demonstrated organizational and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to observe and accurately assess children, the environment and daily program effectiveness.
- Flexible and adaptable to changes in the work environment.
Qualifications
- Minimum Grade 12 requirement
- Working towards completion of at least one of the following programs:
- Disability Support Worker,
- Early Childhood Education
- Education Assistant,
- Rehabilitation Worker,
- Recreational Therapist,
- Kinesiology Degree- Adaptive Physical Activity, or
- other relevant and applicable education focused on diverse needs.
- Completion of the Food Safety Course.
- Current First Aid/CPR Training.
- Previous experience providing childcare with all abilities an asset.
- Experience with Emergent Curriculum and the Project Approach an asset.
- Valid Driver's License.
Working Conditions
- Monday to Friday workdays with varied start and end times between 7am and 6:00pm.
- Physically able to safely work with objects or persons of varying sizes:
- Handling ~100 lbs occasionally
- ~50 lbs regularly; and
- ~25 lbs continuously.
- Physical position changes consistently throughout the day (sitting, standing, kneeling etc).
- Exposed to:
- chemicals, and
- blood and bodily fluids.
- Fast paced, noisy environment.
- Work with adaptive equipment and technologies.
- Work outdoors with the children in all types of weather conditions.
40 hours a week
Between 7:00 am and 5:30 pm, Mondays - Fridays.
