The Stemisphere Childcare Academy

1635 Bayly Street, Pickering, Ontario www.stemisphere.ca

How to Apply

Interested candidates may apply through the Careers page on our company website. Only candidates who apply through the Careers page will be considered.

https://stemisphere.ca/careers

About Us The Stemisphere Childcare Academy is a new 150-space licensed childcare centre in Pickering, opening Fall 2026. We are a STEM-focused centre with nine classrooms serving infants, toddlers, and preschoolers. Our programs build curiosity, problem-solving, and a love of discovery through hands-on, play-based learning. We're looking for caring, dependable team members who want to help shape a recent centre from day one.

Position Summary

We are hiring an experienced Early Childhood Assistant (ECA) to support our Registered Early Childhood Educators in delivering high-quality care and programming. The right candidate is warm, reliable, and proactive, and can handle daily routines and tasks with little direction once expectations are set. You stay calm and organized in a busy, fast-paced environment, respond sensibly when unexpected situations come up, and bring hands-on knowledge of age-appropriate activities and nursery routines for infants and young children.

You will help keep children safe, engaged, and supported while working closely with the classroom team and families.

Key Responsibilities

Program support

- Assist RECEs in carrying out play-based, emergent curriculum that follows How Does Learning Happen? Ontario's Pedagogy for the Early Years, including STEM experiences such as early science, math, building, and exploration.
- Help prepare and lead indoor and outdoor activities, sensory play, art, music, stories, and circle time suited to each child's age and stage.
- Set up, tidy, and maintain classroom materials, learning centres, and play spaces so they stay safe, organized, and inviting.
- Support individual children,



including children with special needs, based on guidance from the RECE and any individual support plans.

Care, supervision, and safety

- Provide attentive supervision at all times and help maintain required ratios under the Child Care and Early Years Act, 2014 (CCEYA).
- Carry out daily care routines, including feeding, bottle preparation, diapering, toileting, sleep and rest time, and hygiene, with warmth and respect.
- Respond calmly to challenging behaviour, disagreements between children, minor injuries, and emergencies, using positive guidance strategies and alerting the RECE or Supervisor as needed.
- Follow all health, safety, sanitation, allergy, anaphylaxis, and emergency procedures, and help complete incident and accident reports accurately.
- Follow sleep supervision, serious occurrence, and prohibited practices policies.

Observation and documentation

- Share observations of children's learning, behaviour, and wellbeing with the RECE to support portfolios and daily reports.
- Record daily information such as meals, naps, diapering, and attendance accurately and on time.
- Report any health, safety, or developmental concerns promptly to the RECE or Supervisor.

Family and team communication

- Greet families warmly at drop-off and pick-up, and pass along daily updates as directed by the classroom team.
- Work cooperatively with RECEs, co-workers, the Supervisor, and management, and step in to support other classrooms when needed.
- Participate in staff meetings, training, and professional development.





Classroom routines and independence

- Keep routines, transitions, and daily tasks running smoothly with minimal reminders, taking initiative to help wherever needed.
- Prioritize tasks effectively during busy periods such as drop-off, meal times, nap transitions, and pick-up.
- Assist with light housekeeping, laundry, meal and snack service, and sanitizing toys and equipment.

Qualifications

Required

- Early Childhood Assistant (ECA) certificate, or current enrolment in an Early Childhood Education diploma program, or equivalent relevant education.
- Previous experience working with young children in a licensed childcare setting, with infant, toddler, or preschool experience preferred.
- Current Standard First Aid and CPR Level C (or willingness to obtain before start).
- Clear Vulnerable Sector Check dated within the last six months.
- Up-to-date immunizations and a health assessment as required by the Durham Region Health Department.
- Basic working knowledge of the CCEYA and How Does Learning Happen?, or willingness to learn quickly.

Skills and Qualities

- Ability to follow direction and then work independently on daily routines and tasks.
- Calm, patient, and composed under pressure, with sound judgment in fast-paced or unpredictable situations.
- Good repertoire of age-appropriate activities, songs, games, and play ideas.
- Understanding of child development and positive behaviour guidance.
- Clear, friendly communication with children, families, and colleagues.
- Reliable, punctual, flexible, and a strong team player.

Assets

- Experience with STEM or inquiry-based play.
- Experience with a family communication app (e.g., HiMama/Lillio, Brightwheel).
- Additional languages spoken in the community.
- Food Handler Certification.
- Working towards RECE registration.

Pay: $18.00-$22.00 per hour

Work Location: In person

📌 Early Childhood Assistant (ECA) (Pickering)
🏢 The Stemisphere Childcare Academy
📍 Pickering