The YMCA recognizes the critical importance of investing in the development of the spirit, mind and body of our children in order to build healthy communities.

Reporting to the Director, the Cook/Education Assistant is accountable for creating a stimulating, safe and nurturing environment for children to learn and grow, communicate and to provide support to families at the YMCA of Cumberland. The Education Assistant is responsible for ensuring all YMCA Playing to Learn program requirements are met and exceeded while complying with the Education & Early Childhood Development Regulations and National YMCA Child Protection Standards.
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Key Responsibilities:

To assist in being responsible for the safety, needs and well-being of each child in the daycare.

To ensure that daily routines are followed, snacks, cooking lunches, cleaning the equipment and the kitchen.

To ensure daily schedule is being followed Snack times are 9:30am and 3:00pm. Lunch Time is around 11:30am.

Responsible for menu planning twice a year. (Fall and Summer)

Responsible for grocery days, Tuesday and Thursday mornings at 8:00am

Proper guidelines for dishwashing and sanitizing are followed.

To adhere to the policies and procedures outlined in the YMCA of Cumberland employee policy manuals.

Responsible to be in the kitchen ready to work at the start of shift.

To adhere to the policies and procedures outlined in the YMCA of Cumberland childcare policy manuals.

To adhere to the Nova Scotia Childcare Standards and Daycare Act written by Child Development Services.

To adhere to the Nova Scotia Daycare Act as set by the Department of Community Services.

To adhere to the Nova Scotia Child Abuse Protocol Practices as written by Child Development Services.

Be willing to take additional training.

To communicate with staff and parents on a professional basis.

To assist in the recording of the temperature for the fridge and dishwasher

Other duties as assigned by Supervisors.

· To plan and implement a consistent child centered program in accordance with the YMCA Playing to Learn Curriculum/Standards and Provincial Standards.

· Responsible to assist with program activities that are varied, flexible, age appropriate, and promote all areas of development following the YMCA Playing to Learn Curriculum.





· To help assess the child’s development physically, emotionally, socially, creatively, and intellectually.

· To provide a program that is challenging and adapted to meet the needs of the child.

· To integrate the child with other children by providing activities that is based on success and not failure in an integrated setting.

· To assist special needs children in all self-help activities

· To prepare environment, equipment, program, and material for special needs child/children.

· To lift and secure children safely as necessary.

· To monitor and provide documentation on the child's performance.

· To communicate orally and in writing with parents, professionals, and YMCA staff regarding child progress and development

· To assist and support all children and Educators in program delivery; in ratio when required

· To adhere to the policies and procedures outlined in the YMCA Best Practices.

· To attend monthly staff meetings

· Attend mandatory YMCA Playing to Learn curriculum trainings

· To assist in the recording of data pertaining to the development of each child on a quarterly basis to complete progress reports and routine base plans.

· Other duties as assigned by Director.

Knowledge, skills and abilities:

· Detail oriented, self-starter and organized

· Excellent time management and teamwork abilities

· High quality relationship building skills

· Ability to plan an inclusive and diverse environment

· Strong written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills

· Ability to problem solve and remain calm in an emergency

Initiative:

· Works independently and as a team in decision making, conflict resolution and delivery of quality programming while maintaining robust relationships with the children, families, and community.

Work Environment:

· This position deals with multiple demands, deadlines and dealing with the day-to-day interruptions.

· Work involves a moderate amount of physical, mental and visual demands.





· Occasional evenings for team trainings and meetings

Qualifications:

· Experience working with children with enhanced needs in an educational setting

· Maintain current first aid and CPR certification

· Maintain a clean Criminal Record Check which includes a clear Vulnerable Sector Check

· Provide and maintain an up-to-date Child Abuse Registry Check

· Attend Child Abuse Protocol Training and take YMCA’s online Child Abuse Training

Competencies:

In addition to bringing a commitment to YMCA vision and values, and an orientation to service, the Education Assistant should possess the following competencies:

1. Leadership/Coaching – Ability to direct and develop performance of others to achieve desired result.

2. Negotiation/Communication/Interpersonal Skills – Ability to speak, write, listen and secure information in a variety of settings. Ability to cooperate with others to achieve results. Ability to create and build relationships inside and outside the organization.

3. Planning/Organizing – Ability to establish a clearly defined and effective course of action for self and others to accomplish short- and long-term goals.

4. Problem Solving – Ability to identify an issue, gathers and processes relevant information, determine possible solutions, selects appropriate responses and implements and evaluates them.

5. Service Strategy – Ability to identify the needs and wants of members/participants as a priority and respond in an effective and timely manner to enhance every person’s YMCA experience.

6. Initiative/Enthusiasm/Innovation – Ability to manage and lead in order to achieve and exceed identified goals.

7. Community Awareness and Understanding – Demonstrates and promotes a personal understanding of and appreciation for the vision, mission and values of the organization.

8. Project Resource Management – Ability to manage a project from initial planning to completion.

9. Strategic Planning/Visioning - Ability to visualize future direction and formulate strategies, plans and action to achieve vision.

Pay: $17.02-$17.27 per hour

Benefits:

- Casual dress
- Dental care
- Extended health care
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision care

Licence/Certification:

- Driving Licence (required)

Work Location: In person

📌 Cook/Education Assistant - Early Learning Child Care (Canada)
🏢 YMCA of Cumberland
📍 Canada