Full Description
Position: Early Learning and Pedagogical Mentor
Department: Kookum's Place Daycare
Classification: Full or Part Time/Contract
Application Deadline: Until Filled
Who We Are
NETES is a not-for-profit Indigenous organization supporting the success of Indigenous people in Winnipeg. We offer adult education, skills training and employment services, along with wrap-around services such as daycare, student housing, and health and wellness programming. Rooted in community, respect, and Indigenous values, our work helps build a strong, thriving Indigenous community.
To Lead, Inspire and Grow: Indigenous-Centred Early Learning and Child Care
The Opportunity
Kookum’s Place is an Indigenous-led, community-centred early learning program dedicated to supporting children and families through relationship-based care that honours Indigenous culture, values, and ways of knowing. Our approach is rooted in respect, connection, and belonging, with a strong emphasis on play-based and land-based learning.
We are seeking an experienced ECE III or higher-level Early Childhood Education professional. The Pedagogical Mentor provides strong day-to-day leadership, mentorship, and professional guidance to Early Childhood Educators (ECE IIs) and Child Care Assistants (CCAs). Working directly alongside staff in the child care environment, the Mentor supports educators in providing high-quality, responsive, play-based learning experiences that promote children's development, well-being, and sense of belonging.
This position has a strong focus on strengthening educator practice through coaching, modelling, observation, feedback, and hands-on support. The Pedagogical Mentor helps staff understand how everyday interactions, routines, environments, and activities can be used intentionally to support children's learning and development.
The Mentor works collaboratively with centre leadership and other team members to promote consistent, effective child care practices and a positive learning environment for children, families, and staff.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide strong leadership, coaching, and ongoing mentorship to ECE IIs and CCAs.
- Work directly alongside educators in classrooms to model effective early learning and child care practices.
- Guide staff in planning and delivering meaningful, age-appropriate, play-based learning experiences.
- Support educators in understanding children's individual developmental needs, interests, strengths, and learning styles.
- Help staff create engaging learning environments that encourage exploration, creativity, independence, positive relationships, and development.
- Observe educator practices and provide constructive feedback, practical guidance, and follow-up support.
- Mentor new and developing staff to build confidence, consistency, and professional skills.
- Support educators in positive behaviour guidance, relationship building, communication, classroom routines, and transitions.
- Assist staff in connecting observations of children to program planning and learning opportunities.
- Identify individual and team training needs and help coordinate or deliver relevant professional development.
- Reinforce centre policies, licensing requirements, professional standards, health and safety practices, and expectations for quality child care.
- Encourage reflective practice and continuous improvement among educators.
- Support respectful relationships with children, families, colleagues, Elders, Knowledge Keepers, and community members.
- Work with centre leadership to address areas where additional coaching, training, or staff support may be required.
The Manitoba Child Care Association acknowledges that we are located on Treaty 1 Territory and on the lands of the Anishinaabe, Cree, Anisininew, Dakota, and Dene Peoples, and the Red River Métis Homeland.
We respect the Treaties that were made on these territories, we acknowledge the harms and mistakes of the past and we move forward in a spirit of reconciliation and collaboration.
