Early Childhood Educator– Job Description
Little Butterfly Kingdom is a childcare centre located in Welland, Niagara region. We offer a nurturing and stimulating environment for children to learn and grow.
Our bilingual daycare offers children a unique opportunity to develop their language skills and cultural understanding from an early age.
Title
Early Childhood Educator
Reports To
Child Care Supervisor/Director
Summary
Little Butterflies Kingdom requires an Early Childhood Educator (ECE) to be responsible for guiding and instructing children, from infancy to preschool age, in a variety of educational subjects and life skills. Subjects and life skills include music, art, social science, literature, physical activity, personal hygiene and healthy eating. In addition, the ECE will assist children with nurturing developmental and cognitive skills such as physical, mental, and social development. The ECE is responsible for infant care and development including hygiene, feeding, exercise and play. The ECE supervises activities, such as field trips, group discussions, and dramatic play acting, to stimulate students’ interest in and broaden understanding of their physical and social environment. She/he fosters cooperative social behavior through games and group projects to assist children in forming satisfying relationships with other children and adults. The ECE encourages students in singing, dancing, rhythmic activities, and in use of art materials, to promote self-expression and appreciation of aesthetic experience. She/he instructs children in practices of personal cleanliness and self care. The ECE alternates periods of strenuous activity with periods of rest or light activity to avoid overstimulation and fatigue. The ECE discusses students’ problems and progress with parents to ensure constant communication about the children’s development.
Core Competencies
- Responsible and dynamic while delivering work that meets the expectations of the position, the team, and the organization.
- Accountability & Reliability- takes ownership and responsibility of timeliness and quality of work commitments while following organizational guidelines, and professional standards.
- Communication – Speak English and/or French and be able to express and convey information coherently and clearly.
- Work in collaboration with a team, creating a safe and welcoming environment for children and parents.
- Passionate about working with children daily.
- Bilingualism in French and English is an asset.
Job Duties
- Develop and deliver age appropriate programs.
- Supervise, guide and assist children in daily activities.
- Provide a safe and happy environment.
- Record necessary information pertinent to each child.
- Ensure activities adhere to the governing child care act(s).
- Maintain equipment and assist in housekeeping duties.
- Read each individual child’s files in his/her class and be knowledgeable about his/her medical and developmental histories.
- Observe children to detect signs of ill health or emotional disturbance, and to evaluate progress.
- Interact with children to encourage their involvement in activities.
- Provide a warm, safe, and caring environment that is kept orderly, clean, and appealing.
- Plan, prepare, and implement daily activities (indoor/outdoor) as they relate to the curriculum.
- Provide overall supervision of toileting and bathroom time.
- Maintain ongoing developmental records for each child, including keeping records of all developing skills (physical, social, emotional, and cognitive).
- Maintain good communication with parents on a daily basis through the use of daily sheets, notes and/or verbally.
- Work with other staff members to form a positive, supportive team atmosphere.
- Create a classroom environment conducive to learning and appropriate to the physical, social, and emotional development of students with an emphasis on language development and emergent literacy skills.
- Provide activities and opportunities that encourage curiosity, exploration, and problem-solving appropriate to the development levels of the children
- Include materials and experiences in the classroom that are culturally appropriate and represent diversity.
- Develop and facilitate child development instruction for parents.
- Design and facilitate interactive parent and child literacy activities.
- Maintain open, friendly, and cooperative relationship with each child’s family and encourage their involvement in the program.
- Continue professional development through attending workshops, conferences and other staff development.
- Maintain up to date knowledge of current child development practices.
- Demonstrate behavior that is professional, ethical, and responsible.
- Assist with other duties as requested.
Requirements
- A Bachelor’s degree or College diploma in the human services field including: Early Childhood Education (ECE), Educational Assistant (EA)
- Related training in the area of children with special needs and/or Under 3 Training.
- Minimum (1-2) years with integrated groups of preschool aged children.
- Oral and written communication skills in English and/ or French.
- Ability to effectively interact and relate to children in a developmentally appropriate manner.
- Proficiency in oral and written communication – English and/ or French.
- Ability to pass a criminal background check.
- Knowledge and understanding of the Child Care center’s policies, compliance regulations and appropriate legislation.
- First Aid certification preferred.
- Excellent interpersonal skills.
- Genuinely committed to helping children learn.
- A broad knowledge of child development and teaching methods.
- Cultural sensitivity.
- Excellent problem solving skills.
- Excellent negotiation and mediation skills.
- Ability and willingness to perform required physical tasks.
- Ability to recognize individual learning styles and the characteristics of learners.
- High level of attention to confidentiality.
- Strong working knowledge of Microsoft software, including Word, Excel, etc.
- Willing to participate in ongoing learning.
Work Conditions
- Interacts with students, teachers, administration, family members, visitors, government agencies/personnel under all circumstances.
- Manual dexterity required to use desktop computers and peripherals.
- Regular to frequent requirement, and as needed, to lift children (up to 45 lbs.), including bending, stooping, stretching, squatting, pushing and pulling, and sitting and walking.
- Noise level can be moderate to loud.
- Intermittent physical activity including walking, standing, sitting, lifting and supporting students.
- Overtime as required.