YMCA of Southwest Nova Scotia Casual Substitute

Company Overview

The YMCA is a registered, charitable organization dedicated to promoting the growth of our people in Spirit, Mind and Body. As one of the largest charities in Canada, the YMCA responds to needs in the community. We are looking for experienced and passionate individuals to join our team. The ideal candidates for this position have experience caring for children, enjoy working in a fast-paced workplace, and are capable of providing a safe and nurturing environment for the children in their care. A successful candidate will have experience working with children, a passion for teaching and learning, and strong communication skills.

The role

Life happens — and that's where you come in. As a Casual Substitute, you're part of our on-call team that keeps our after-school programs running smoothly when regular staff are away.

There's no fixed weekly schedule: you tell us your availability, and we call when shifts open up. It's flexible work that fits around school, family, or another job.

Shifts are typically weekday afternoons — about 3.5 hours from school dismissal until 5:30 pm — plus longer afternoon shifts (approx. 12:00–5:30 pm) on CLT days. Our programs run during the school year, September 2026 through June 2027, and close on holidays and school closure days.

Locations: Aylesford - St. Mary's Elementary School, Berwick - Berwick District School, Somerset - Somerset District Elementary School, Cambridge - Cambridge District Elementary School

What you'll do

- Jump in and support the day's planned activities — games, crafts, outdoor play, and quiet time
- Create a safe,



welcoming space where every child feels included and valued
- Supervise children from pre-primary to age 12, guiding behaviour with patience and kindness
- Follow site routines and check in with the site lead about anything notable
- Bring flexibility, warmth, and a calm presence to every shift

What you bring

- Experience caring for children — in any setting: programs, camps, coaching, babysitting, or your own family
- A genuine enjoyment of being around kids, and a talent for keeping things fun and calm
- Reliability and flexibility — you're comfortable stepping into different groups and routines
- Strong communication skills

Assets (not required): early childhood education background, classroom or group management experience, experience supporting children with diverse needs or disabilities, current First Aid/CPR.

The details

- Casual, on-call position — hours vary week to week based on coverage needs and your availability
- When regularly scheduled positions open up, our casual substitutes are offered them first, before we hire externally
- Applicants with an Early Childhood Education Classification are paid on the Nova Scotia ECE Wage Scale
- Requirements: satisfactory criminal record and vulnerable sector check; First Aid/CPR (or willingness to obtain)

Ready to join the team?

If you love working with kids and want flexible, meaningful work that fits your life, we'd love to hear from you. Apply today to join the YMCA of Southwest Nova Scotia!

Pay: $18.50-$28.60 per hour

Expected hours: No less than 1.0 per week

Benefits:

- Casual dress
- On-site parking

Work Location: In person

📌 Casual Substitute – After-School Program Staff - Ayelsford, Berwick, Somerset, Cambridge
🏢 YMCA Southwest Nova Scotia BAP
📍 Berwick