Program Support Educator

Program Support Educator

Program Support Educators work in YMCA-licensed childcare centres, with school-age children before and after school who may have special needs, physical or behavioral challenges, or medical considerations. Program Support Educators will provide the necessary support to children helping them to be successfully integrated into the YMCA childcare program. The Program Support Educator supports early child Educators by assisting in small group activities and following individual personal profile plans to facilitate the successful inclusion of children and encourage independence.

Responsibilities include ensuring YMCA Childcare is an inclusive childcare experience, planning and delivering programs for YMCA Childcare participants following YMCA objectives, supporting children with behavioral, physical, or developmental challenges, assisting with program implementation and adaptation of activities to meet the needs of all children, reading, understanding and applying information from children’s support plans, making quick decisions to ensure maximum participant integration and safety, understanding and committing to confidentiality, greeting parents/guardians each morning when they drop off children and in the evening at pick up, supporting and working as part of a staff/volunteer team by remaining flexible, responsible for the safety and security of staff and children, responding to first aid and emergency situations as required, embracing diversity and inclusion of all individuals, following Non-Violent Crisis Intervention (CPI) guidelines (when certified), and other duties as assigned.

Qualifications include experience working with children and/or youth with special needs/behavioral challenges, applicants must be 18 years of age or older, values driven individuals who make excellent role models for children and youth, energy, enthusiasm and flexibility, current Standard First Aid with CPR-C, the ability to participate in physical activity, participate in training and adhere to the YMCA Child Protection Policy and Procedures, Non-Violent Crisis Intervention (CPI) Training is an asset, and upon hiring, applicants 18 years of age and older must submit a clear and satisfactory Police Vulnerable Sector Check (PVSC) issued for the YMCA of Niagara.

Competencies include being child and youth focused, commitment to organization vision and values, concern for health and safety, creativity and innovation, and teamwork.