Summary
The Child Care Manager reports to the Executive Director and is responsible for the day-to-day operation of the ʔiihmisuk t̕aatneʔis (Treasure Our Young Ones) Child Care Centre. The Child Care Manager, reporting to the Executive Director, is responsible for developing, planning and implementing an Aboriginal culturally based child care program, working effectively with staff, Elders, families and children, and Friendship Centre staff. The Manager will develop relationships in the Aboriginal and early childhood communities, mentor students and undertake the administrative responsibilities related to the day-to-day operation of the Child Care Centre.
The Child Care Manager is responsible for providing leadership and guidance in a culturally based program that encourages healthy development in children’s mind, body, spirit and health.
Specific Duties
1. Overall
- Maintain a safe and healthy learning environment for children and their families where families feel welcome.
- Regularly contact and act as a resource for parents and caregivers.
- Encourage and support parental, Elder and community involvement in the Child Care Centre.
- Maintain adequate liaison with the appropriate agencies, professional associations and other child care programs in the community.
- Be knowledgeable, informed, and current on Aboriginal early childhood learning and care philosophy and best practices.
2. Develop and implement a culturally based program for young children
- Plan and implement a culturally based program and activities to meet the physical, emotional, intellectual, social and spiritual needs of the children in the program.
- Ensure adequate equipment and activities.
- Ensure equipment and the facility are clean, well maintained and safe at all times
- Provide weekly and monthly schedules of activities.
- Establish policies and procedures including acceptable disciplinary policies, emergency procedures.
- Develop after school care programs for older children.
3. Supervise and support child care Centre staff
- Manage child care staff resources effectively to ensure that all staff work as members of a team, have input into planning and have opportunities for improving their professional skills.
- Provide coverage for absent child care staff as required.
- Participate in staff recruitment as requested.
- Supervise, coach and encourage staff.
- Prepare staff schedules.
- Lead staff meetings.
- Evaluate staff performance.
- Support training and development opportunities.
4. Manage the administration of the child care program
- Enroll children and orient families to the child care program.
- Support parents in subsidy applications as required.
- Keep parents informed of program expectations, program activities and their child’s progress.
- Ensure compliance with BC’s Child Day Care Regulation and Standards of Practice.
- Develop and maintain current, accurate and confidential child files, ensuring that adequate records are maintained.
- Be aware of and monitor the child care budget.
- Receive and record child care fees.
- Work closely with PAFC administration to insure that all government forms are prepared and delivered.
5. Supervise children in the child care Centre
- Ensure children are supervised at all times.
- Provide and support language and cultural experiences and activities for children involving Elders and community members, including food, songs, games and storytelling.
- Provide opportunities for sleep and rest time.
- Establish routines and provide positive guidance.
- Implement positive discipline when required.
- Clearly and effectively communicate in a manner that children understand.
6. Perform other related duties as required by the Executive Director of the Friendship Center.