Early Care and Learning Programs - (formerly StrongStart Facilitator) Casual Role The Surrey School District respectfully acknowledges that our schools reside on the traditional, unceded, and shared territories of Coast Salish peoples: The q̓ ícə̓ y̓ - Katzie, the qʼwa:n̓ƛʼən̓ - Kwantlen and the SEMYOME - Semiahmoo First Nations, who have been stewards of this land since time immemorial.

Job Summary Under the direction and supervision of the District Principal or designate, the Early Childhood Educator(ECE) for Early Care and Learning programs for children birth to 12 years old. These programs see children as capable and full of potential and provide opportunities for children to develop knowledge and skills in all developmental domains: cognitive, physical, language and communication, social and emotional. Learning and education are seen as a continuum where children transition between early care and learning programs, schools and other services.

The ECE promotes partnerships with parents, provides parent support and education regarding the stages of childhood development, encourages networking amongst families and with school community, as well as links families to related community resources. The Early Learning Framework and the First Peoples Principles of Learning are used with the intention to inspire inclusive pedagogies for all children, families and communities regardless of ethnicity, gender, sexuality, culture, language, abilities, or socio-economic status.

Typical Responsibilities

• Plans, organizes and facilitates age-appropriate play based learning opportunities for children that reflect the stages of child development birth to 12 years old and are in keeping with the BC Early Learning Framework and First Peoples Principles of Learning
• Cultivates equitable learning opportunities, responsive relationships and inclusive practices for children and families
• Affirms the identities, strengths and cultures of all children and families
• Establishes positive working relationships with school staff, community partners, families, and children
• Provides a welcoming and engaging learning space that is culturally responsive to the community and inclusive of all learners.
• Promotes oral language skills, creative expression and problem-solving, as well as emergent literacy and numeracy strategies
• Promotes and encourages healthy eating and introduces children to a diverse range of affordable food options
• Orients the children and their families to the school community and the school context, and works with district and school personnel to ensure a smooth transition into the school system through school and district based initiatives
• Provides support for parents/caregivers such as child health, nutrition and guidance strategies that support their child’s social and emotional learning and development
• Works with families, school staff and community partners to facilitate the inclusion of children with diverse abilities and disabilities and their caregivers. This may include assistance with completing referrals, accessing resources, or inviting community partners to visit their program.
• Provides information/resources to parents/caregivers regarding early care and learning opportunities provided by the Ministry of Education and Childcare and/or within the community.
• Organizes and facilitates special events that are responsive to the needs of the families in the early care and learning programs.
• Prepares and maintains Ministry and District reports of program activities as required.
• Completes daily attendance using district systems and procedures.
• Inventories, orders and maintains arts, nutrition and other program supplies.
• Maintains a developmentally responsive and organized learning space.
• Assists families with registration and accessing childcare funding based on their needs
• Attends meetings as requested
• Maintains the confidentiality of sensitive information seen or heard

Job Requirements KNOWLEDGE, ABILITIES AND SKILLS

• Demonstrated knowledge of child development, family dynamics, culturally responsive communication strategies, the Early Learning Framework of BC, the First Peoples Principles of Learning and the ECE Code of Ethics
• Ability to work meaningfully with a variety of parents, children, school staff, professional and community members
• Experience in creating, planning, implementing and budgeting for early care and learning programs
• Demonstrated evidence of strong verbal and written communication, interpersonal skills, and the ability to work with electronic communication tools utilized by the District Communicates and collaborates respectfully, seeking to understand perspectives that may differ from their own
• Acknowledges families as their child’s first teacher and works in partnership with the family to support their child’s well being and learning
• Strong problem-solving and organizational skills, as well as the ability to work with minimal supervision
• Ability to take initiative and promote early care and learning amongst families, within the school and the local community
• Knowledge of provincial, district and local policies, regulations, and practices which govern early care and learning
• Maintains familiarity with Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) / Globally Harmonized System (GHS)
• Completes ongoing professional development and maintains ECE License to Practice

EDUCATION AND TRAINING

• Certificate or diploma in Early Childhood Education from a community college or similar institution recognized by the District
• Two years recent experience working in early childhood education, family support, recreation, social work or community development with birth to 12 year old children and with their parents/caregivers

LICENCES, CERTIFICATES AND REGISTRATIONS

• Valid Early Childhood Educator license approved by the Director of the Early Childhood Educator Registry in B.C.
• Valid Child Safe First Aid Certificate
• Current Food Safe Certificate
• Immunizations record as required by the Childcare Licensing Regulation
• Valid BC Driver’s license as position may include work at multiple sites.

This is a unionized position that offers an hourly wage rate of $32.92 per hour plus a liberal benefit package including pension, health, vacation, and sick benefits. Qualified applicants can apply by clicking the "apply" button to the right of the posting. The closing date for this position is August 1, 2025 at 4:00pm. Note: Successful applicants will be required to consent to a Criminal Records Search prior to employment. Only those applicants selected for interviews will be contacted. To all others, thank you for your interest.