Position Summary:

The Lead Early Childhood Educator is responsible for the development and delivery of the Curriculum and Programming.  The Lead ECE will implement their child development knowledge while providing quality care with a child-centered approach to learning.

Detailed Job Responsibilities:

Program:

• Actively develop relationships with children, families and coworkers for the purpose of the children’s health, safety and well-being 
• Ensure ELCC (Early Learning and Child Care) regulations and Best Practices are adhered to at all times
• Follow and implement Emergent Curriculum 
• Provide a respectful environment where children can learn in all areas of development 
• Follow child’s lead when planning, implementing and participating in developmentally appropriate play experiences, both indoors and outdoors 
• Prepare menu and serve nutritious/allergy safe food in accordance with Canada’s Food Guide (when snack program is offered)
• Monitor cleanliness and maintenance of program space, equipment and supplies to ensure good and safe working order 
• Effectively supervise and monitor children in the program 
• Administer medications for children as needed 
• Document incidents and follow proper protocol 
• Evaluate and recommend appropriate changes to program delivery when necessary
• Implement child development knowledge into all aspects of programming 
• Attend meetings and professional development opportunities as requested 
• Any reasonable duties assigned by the Executive Director or Assistant Director

Leadership:

• Act as a mentor for other ECEs and CCAs
• Facilitate and encourage activity planning amongst co-workers by providing ideas, support before, during, and after activities, and during scheduled and spontaneous planning time. 
• Act as a role model by providing a variety of activities across all domains of development (both indoors and outdoors) that are based on the children’s interests or that 
• Mentor practicum students and/or workplace students as they work to obtain their ECE certification.  Provide feedback and support as needed, and report observations to the Executive Director/Assistant Director and/or Practicum Instructor when necessary.
• Work in conjunction with the Assistant Director to plan special events, visitors, and field trips
• Support new ECEs and CCAs by aiding in their training and orientation
• Ensure that positive communication between coworkers is top priority at all times.  Use face-to-face verbal communication, the written communication book, and the WhatsApp group chat to effectively communicate with coworkers. 
• Facilitate meaningful conversations between coworkers and families that encourage problem-solving and constructive, two-way discussions. Problems that cannot be solved may be brought to the Employee Support Coordinator, the Assistant Director, or the  Executive Director for further support and direction. 
• Ensure all centre’s procedures are adhered to by all staff
• Act as designate in the absence of the Assistant Director/Employee Support Coordinator (trained on back-up for functions such as ISP tracking, attendance tracking, facility reporting, and daily/weekly staff scheduling)