A040 Program Assistant

Job purpose

The Program Assistant shall assist classroom educators throughout the centre with fulfilling program requirements, overcoming challenges and maintaining goals. The Program Assistant will work in collaboration with a mentor in supporting the program as required, and will be supported with their ongoing growth and development as they may choose to purse their early childhood education diploma. This individual will be responsible, flexible, and dedicated and will possess strong interpersonal communication skills to support their colleagues, along with children and their families. The Program Assistant will work under the supervision of the Centre Director.          

Duties and responsibilities

The Program Assistant will contribute to a team environment in supporting educators, along with children and families. This position will come into the role with an understanding of Ontario’s Framework for the Early Years: How Does Learning Happen? and will gain an understanding of the Child Care and Early Years Act, 2016 and other required legislation as they grow and develop in their role. He/She must show flexibility, organization, and initiative in regard to assigned responsibilities, and will work towards developing curriculum planning and leadership skills over time.

The Program Assistant will

• Support the Centre Director in welcoming visitors, as well as children and their families to the centre
• Assist in the development of age-appropriate programs to meet the physical, social, intellectual, and emotional needs of the children in cooperation with the early childhood educators and the Centre Director
• Collaborate with the Team in relationship building between children, staff, and parents and serve as a support and role model for children and volunteers
• Maintain a clean, organized, well-sanitized, and safe early learning environment including, but not limited to: hallways, washroom, staff rooms, storage spaces, and outdoor spaces and reporting any needed replacements or repairs
• Contribute to maintaining accurate and up-to-date records including, but not limited to: child information, attendance records, sleep patterns, daily health, child development, injury reports, and cleaning procedures and report as required 
• Participate in ongoing professional learning opportunities
• Represent the Centre in a professional capacity at community events
• Report program and Centre needs or any concerns to the Centre Director