Educator, Early Childhood Centre

Cape Breton University invites applicants for the role of Educator for the CBU Early Childhood Centre. This is a Full-Time Continuing Role commencing as soon as possible. The educator reports directly to the Director or in the absence of the Director to the designate.

The Educator is accountable for ensuring quality care is given to all children under your supervision. The number of children in the educator’s care will be determined by the children’s age and provincial regulations.

The successful candidate will be responsible for taking an active role in the planning and implementing of activities that will enhance the children’s physical, emotional, cognitive, social and language abilities. As well, the educator must deliver a quality program in a manner that supports the philosophy of the Cape Breton University Early Childhood Centre.

Some specific duties of this role but not limited to are:

• Ensure the environment is safe, warm and nurturing for each individual child and that the environment is stimulating to encourage creativity and cognitive development in children
• Ensure that all areas are tidy, attractively arranged, have materials that are rotated and of current interest to the children set out to promote play and creativity
• Maintain inventory of all equipment and materials being used so that equipment can be kept in good repair and supplies can be purchased in time for upcoming needs
• Organize space, equipment, and materials prior to activities ensuring that all learning centres are appropriately and clearly defined
• Follow daily routine allowing flexibility to meet the needs and interests of the children
• Arrange and assist children in all transition periods by using appropriate cues and keeping waiting times to a minimum
• Always mindful of the number of children under direct supervision both indoors and outdoors
• Prepares and implements a play-based, emergent curriculum
• Plan and implement specific small group activities, e.g. art, baking, science, math, etc. that require teacher involvement daily
• Assist children in expressing themselves by listening and responding with questions, comments, and clarification; providing experiences which broaden the child’s sense of belonging to enhance learning opportunities
• Use observational data, i.e. jot notes, running records, time samples, short stories, etc., as a basis for curriculum planning, i.e. developmental and age appropriate activities
• Modify, where necessary, activities to ensure the participation of all children, including children with special needs
• Provide and encourage children to participate daily in a variety of activities, i.e. art, books, dramatic play, manipulatives, math, reading, sand/water and science, music, etc. both indoors and outdoors
• Provide a print rich environment that includes child/teacher made books, thought charts, story starters, etc.
• Identify and provide opportunities to extend children’s spoken language experiences in other curriculum areas
• Research and be knowledgeable with regard to themes and children’s interests by using community resources, i.e. library, outside guest speakers, etc.
• Ensure lesson plans are completed weekly and documented appropriately, i.e. photographs, write ups, and display areas. Some home preparation for activities and attendance at staff planning sessions may be necessary

Guiding Children’s Behaviour:

• Support the child’s developing self-esteem
• Set realistic behaviour expectations for each child addressing challenging behaviour without labelling the child, and provide positive guidance through the use of positive reinforcements, redirection and calm, positive language
• Guide, demonstrate and encourage children’s activities throughout the day, providing praise and encouragement for daily efforts by displaying work and providing meaningful commentary
• Provide consistency in limits and guidelines for the centre through using positive reinforcement and modelling appropriate behaviour

Health and Safety Practices:

• Practice universal precautions
• Consistently provide experiences that promote self-care and self-help skills
• Administer medication when needed, upon written consent from parents; maintain health records on a daily basis
• Provide first aid in case of emergencies. Monitor first aid supplies in the Centre and first aid outing kits and ensures that the Director or designate is informed when supplies need to be replenished
• Report and record on a daily basis accidents and/or injuries to the operator or designate and parents, as well as report incidents of suspected abuse upon discovery as per the centre’s and government policies
• Recognize symptoms of illness in children and cares for child appropriately
• Practice appropriate toileting and diaper changing routines
• Practice proper hygiene when preparing and serving food
• Clean and disinfect equipment and toys following the centre’s policy and procedure
• Clean and disinfect food preparation areas and equipment following the centre’s policy and procedure
• Create a pleasant family style mealtime atmosphere with children
• Report unusual situations, such as allergies, parental requests and concerns, or behaviour irregularities to the Director of designate
• Assist with the implementation of fire drills, natural disaster exercises and other emergencies
• Follows the Centre’s policy on outdoors supervision and cooperates to ensure that all areas of the yard are fully observed at all times

Communication with Families:

• Treat the child and family with sensitivity and respect
• Maintain appropriate day-to-day contact with parents. Inform parents about their child’s daily experiences at the centre both verbally and through the appropriate use of notes and classroom bulletin boards

Conducts Oneself Professionally:

• Demonstrate awareness and interest in ways to improve professional competence
• Attend regular staff meetings, program planning sessions and professional development opportunities to further education
• Share knowledge, ideas, and personal resources with other staff, thereby helping each other achieve their very best
• Demonstrate ability to share responsibilities with others and to assume others’ responsibilities in emergencies
• Use appropriate and constructive methods to resolve conflict with co-workers
• Observe and note any problems or difficulties with the children, co-workers, parents or the environment and communicates them to the Director or designate
• Actively take part in orientation of new staff members, students, and new families
• Ensure that confidentiality is maintained at all times
• Dress professionally according to dress code

Perform Administrative Tasks:

• Assist in the orientation of new families and staff
• Assist in the orientation, guidance and evaluation of students
• Assist in explaining the centre’s philosophy and program to parents and perspective parents as required
• Is knowledgeable about legislation and provincial regulations regarding child care services
• Identify and report risk management situations to the Director or designate
• Ensure that the Director, designate, and co-workers are informed of messages, correspondence, telephone numbers, etc. provided by parents, social workers, etc.
• Read, understand and follow the centre’s policies and procedures
• Other administrative duties as assigned

Requirements for this role are:

• Minimum of 3 years’ experience in an Early Childhood Centre setting
• Early Childhood Education degree or diploma with a Classification Level 1 or 2
• Valid Standard First Aid and Level “C” CPR
• Criminal Record Check and Child Abuse Registry with no incidences
• Knowledge of the Nova Scotia Day Care Act and Education and Early Childhood Development regulations
• Excellent interpersonal skills; high degree of initiative and dedication; team player
• Commitment to high quality programming for children

Applications for the successful candidate will include:

• a cover letter describing the expertise of the applicant
• a complete resume
• proof of first aid/CPR
• A list of least three references.
  • Short listed candidates will be required to submit three reference letters.

Please upload all required documents to Additional Documents if no designated area is listed. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

 

Click here to view more information and to apply.

Applications must be received by June 21^st 2024

 

Cape Breton University is strongly committed to fostering diversity within our community. We welcome those who would contribute to the further diversification of our staff, our faculty and its scholarship including, but not limited to, women, visible minorities, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, and persons of any sexual orientation or gender identity. Please note that all qualified candidates are encouraged to apply but applications from Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.

 

Cape Breton University

Human Resources Dept.

humanresources@cbu.ca

1250 Grand Lake Road

Sydney, NS B1M 1A2