Early Childhood Educator

University of British Columbia•Kelowna, BC

5d•Onsite

About The Position

We are currently recruiting energetic and passionate people for our UBC Okanagan Child Care Centre. We pride ourselves in having a dynamic workplace culture, great pay & benefits, and opportunities for career development. This position requires planning and implementing a safe and rich early care and learning environment for the children within a licensed group childcare setting in culturally diverse communities. Educators must be able to adapt to diverse approaches and early childhood pedagogies as led by the individual childcare programs.

Requirements

A valid Early Childhood Educator certificate to practice in BC.
Have the ability to establish and maintain harmonious relations with children, parents and program Educators.
Have a high level of spoken and written English skills sufficient to ensure successful communication with program Educators, children and parents/guardians.
Demonstrate excellent listening and communication skills.
Demonstrate appropriate language, tone of voice and style of communication.
Have the ability to use sound judgement, demonstrate patience and be well organized.
Demonstrate the ability to be creative and imaginative and problem solve while staying positive.
Adapt to high level of noise and distractions from children.
Engage in moderate physical activity involving walking, standing, bending, lifting children, carrying children, room arrangement (moving shelves, tables etc.).
Have the ability to function independently, under pressure, while managing emergency situations.
Recognize they may be exposed to illness while working with children as well as to challenging behaviours in the center.
Have the ability to develop relationships with UBC Okanagan colleagues, children and parents and guardians and be flexible when needed.
Show evidence of ongoing professional commitment and development to remain current in the ECE field.
Hold a current Emergency Child Care First Aid and CPR certificate.
Have a valid criminal record check.

Nice To Haves

May support, coach and mentor Educators which may include casual Educators, students and/or volunteers as directed by the Senior Early Childhood Educator or Program Manager.

Responsibilities

Engages with the British Columbia Early Learning Framework and collaborates together with the other Educators in constructing a creative and inclusive early care and learning environment, thus supporting each child’s emerging abilities.
Builds a meaningful relationship with all children and maintains an environment respectful of children’s strengths and needs.
Participates in all aspects of the program including routines and transitions.
Models curiosity and celebration of diversity among the children and families and the cultural groups they represent.
Directly supervises children using multiple strategies including observation and positive guidance techniques.
Protects and respects the rights of children and the determination of appropriate interventions to ensure the protection of those rights.
Recognizes, documents and takes appropriate action in the case of suspected abuse, illness or accident, ensuring serious incidences are reported to the appropriate authorities and all required documentation is completed.
Promotes the health and safety of all children including ensuring safe food practices and routine infectious control practices are followed.
Engages in reflective practice that includes observation and interpretation of individual children’s activities.
Creates and maintains respectful, meaningful and professional relationships with families that reflect the role of the Educator and honour parents and guardians as the primary caregivers.
Accommodates where possible parents'/guardians’ requests for daily care routines within the context of a licensed group care facility.
Shares information about children's progress and the program with parents/guardians.
Attends parent meetings.
Attends family functions organized by the Program Manager with the goal of sharing information and supporting community.
Advocates for quality child care for individual children and families.
Supports families in their attempts to access specialized services that may be required for their children.
Keeps informed of current events in the child care sector.
Ensures that information on child care initiatives at UBC Okanagan and in the broader community are available to Educators and parents/guardians.
Assists the Senior Early Childhood Educator with compliance requirements: Maintaining and safely storing of records, Ensuring the program is well maintained in a neat, organized, and safe manner indoors and outdoors, Following all UBC Okanagan CCS Program Policies and Procedures and Health and Safety protocols.
Creates caring professional relationships with their colleagues that support the success of all team members and the program: Actively taking part in discussions related to program vision, pedagogy, goals and evaluation, Contributes to staff meeting agendas and attending and participating in staff meetings, Uses effective communication and collaboration methods to achieve harmonious relationships with all colleagues.
Works with all team members to provide guidance to students.
Engages in reflective practice that includes an evaluation of personal success in achieving UBC Okanagan CCS’ goals of pedagogical direction of the program.
Takes part in professional development opportunities and setting personal professional goals that support the on-going successes and growth of the team and Program.
Provides guidance to volunteers and students.
Maintains a professional demeanor at all times, addressing any breaches in professional conduct by their team of Educators including but not limited to: Appropriate dress and hygiene, Language, voice tone and style of communication, Relationships with UBC colleagues, children and parents/guardians, Appropriate division of personal life and professional life.
Maintains and promotes confidentiality and protection of privacy within Child Care Services.
Completes any other tasks or requests from the Program Manager, Senior Early Childhood Educator or Associate Director of Child Care Services.

Benefits

4 weeks paid vacation + additional 3 days between Boxing Day and News Year’s Day
Benefits begin immediately upon hire (employer paid)
Professional & Educational development funds
Employer paid extended health and dental benefits
Generous paid vacation + additional Christmas time off
UBC pension
UBC tuition waiver (for you or a dependent)
Professional Development funds
Community corporate discounts
50% discount of monthly bus/transit pass