Employer: Blue Wave Child Care Centre

Open Role: Executive Director

Position Start Date: January 10, 2027

HOW TO APPLY:

To apply, please send your resume and cover letter to [email protected] In your cover letter, please share why you're interested in joining Blue Wave and how your experience and skills would contribute to our team. Please be prepared to provide up to three (3) work-related references who may be contacted directly. At least one of the references must be a person who has supervised you directly.

SUMMARY:

Blue Wave Childcare Centre’s Board of Directors is seeking a full-time permanent Executive Director that is a dynamic leader with vision and experience in the child-care sector. The Executive Director is responsible for the successful leadership, overall management, and operations of the Centre according to the direction and policies set by the Board.

ABOUT BLUE WAVE:

Blue Wave Childcare Centre is a non-profit, community-based child care centre serving children and families in the Don Mills and Lawrence area . Since 1989, our Centre has been a trusted part of the community, with a strong commitment to high-quality, enriched early learning and care.

We are licensed for 106 children across infant, toddler, preschool, and kindergarten programs, supported by a dedicated team of approximately 20 full and part-time staff. Blue Wave is guided by a volunteer Board of Directors and operates as a non-unionized workplace. Located on the ground level of Norman Ingram Public School, Blue Wave provides a welcoming environment within an active residential community.

Our programs are grounded in play-based pedagogy, guided by How Does Learning Happen?, and supported by strong relationships with families and the community. We are licensed under the Child Care and Early Years Act (CCEYA) and participate in Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care (CWELCC).

THE OPPORTUNITY:

The Executive Director is responsible for the overall leadership, administration, and operation of the Centre, ensuring regulatory compliance, program excellence, financial sustainability, and solid relationships with families, staff, and community partners. This role will be supported by a designate who assumes partial day-to-day responsibility for office administration.

Program & Pedagogical Leadership

Focus: quality of care, curriculum excellence, child development, inclusion, best practices.

- Ensure that the programs and services delivered reflect current best practice, are inclusive and of high quality
- Play a leadership role in the broader community supporting and advocating for pedagogical excellence
- Provide leadership when dealing with difficult situations related to child behaviour and/or development issues




- Responsible for policy development according to the Child Care and Early Years Act, ELECT, How Does Learning Happen?, AQI, and Public Health Guidelines

Organizational Leadership Focus: enrollment, staffing, culture, HR, performance management, succession

- Maintain enrollment and waitlist management
- Motivate, mentor, and evaluate all staff
- Overall accountability for ongoing professional development
- Overall accountability for the organization’s human resources and employee relations
- Direct supervision and accountability for designates
- Coordinate recruitment and training of Board members
- Ensure staffing levels and organizational effectiveness
- Manage parent concerns and escalations

Strategic leadership:

Focus: Financial oversight

· Leading the Centre's strategic plan, identifying opportunities for growth and ensuring long-term organizational sustainability.

· Expand the financial responsibilities to include budget management, forecasting, cash flow, government funding, CWELCC and financial controls.

- Develop financial projections and oversee annual budget
- Direct and manage financial resources
- Work with bookkeeper to provide Board with monthly financial information
- Ensure financial viability of the organization

Governance, Compliance & Risk Management Focus: Board relations, legal compliance, operational accountability

- Report directly to the Board of Directors

· Translate Board direction into operational priorities.
- Act as ex-officio member of the Board; prepares monthly reports and attends meetings
- Advise the Board on child care issues affecting growth and operations
- Ensure compliance with: Child Care and Early Years Act, Toronto Public Health, Occupational Health & Safety Act, Fire Code, Employment Standards Act, Municipal and legislative requirements

· Maintain emergency preparedness and risk management.
- Ensure external stakeholders receive required compliance information
- Ensure protection of organizational assets, facilities oversight.

Community Relationships: Focus: School, Broader childcare community, external supports, Governing Bodies

· Maintain ongoing positive relationships with:

o School Principal and TDSB staff o Ministry of Children’s Services o Ministry of Education o Resource Consultants o Toronto Public Heath o Suppliers

QUALIFICATIONS, EXPERIENCE & REQUIREMENTS:

- Registered and in good standing with the College of Early Childhood Educators (CECE)




- Minimum 5 years of senior leadership experience in a licensed childcare centre or early learning environment
- WHMIS and Health & Safety certification
- Demonstrated knowledge of: Toronto Children’s Services systems and frameworks, including AQI and CSIS, The Child Care and Early Years Act (CCEYA), CCLS, and related legislation, How Does Learning Happen? and ELECT frameworks, Occupational Health and Safety Act requirements, Toronto Public Health regulations and guidelines, Human resource management best practices, Financial administration, and childcare app (Lillio).

· up to date immunization record as per Ministry requirements · a cleared health assessment

· a cleared vulnerable sector police reference check.

· Valid Infant and Child First Aid and CPR certification – Level C

ADDITIONAL SKILLS & COMPETENCIES:

- Demonstrated passion for early learning, child development, and supporting children and families
- Proven leadership, organizational development, and change management skills
- Strong strategic thinking, planning, and problem-solving abilities
- Experience leading and supporting large, diverse teams
- Ability to work effectively with children, families, and staff from a wide range of cultural backgrounds, family structures, and lived experiences
- Strong relationship-building and team leadership skills
- Experience working collaboratively with a volunteer Board of Directors
- Experience with financial planning, budgeting, and fiscal oversight
- Excellent administrative, communication, interpersonal, and conflict-resolution skills
- Comfortable using digital communication platforms to support organizational communication and parent engagement

SALARY: $75,000–$100,000 (Candidates' experience and skills will be evaluated during the recruitment process and the salary will be determined accordingly)

BENEFITS:

- Extended health, dental, life, dependent, and long-term disability insurance,
- Paid vacation, personal days, sick days and professional development support

WORK HOURS/SCHEDULE:

- Monday to Friday - in-office
- This role requires the ability to work flexible hours (between 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.) and occasionally outside of Centre’s operational hours (i.e., attend board meetings, staff meetings, special events, professional development)

Many thanks to all who apply however, only candidates selected for interviews will be contacted. ** Blue Wave Childcare Centre is an equal opportunity employer. If you require accommodation or consideration, please notify us in advance so we may assist as needed.

Pay: $75,000.00-$100,000.00 per year

Benefits

- Company events
- Dental care
- Extended health care
- On-site parking
- Paid time off
- Vision care

Work Location: In person

📌 Executive Director (North York)
🏢 Blue Wave Child Care Centre
📍 North York