Be more than a teacher; Be more than an instructor; Be more than a friend; Be the Spark that allows a child to shine. Join our professional and passionate team of early childhood educators!

Position: School Age Assistant

Status: part-time, September 2026 Intended location: W.R. Best Memorial YMCA Before & After School Program, Shanty Bay The opportunity: To build healthy, strong, connected communities through nurturing environments for children.

In this role, you will

Provide personal care to children, including but not limited to toileting/diaper changing, providing first aid, administering medication, monitoring dietary, allergies & medical conditions Actively engage with children and always ensure supervision and safety of children in a group setting of up to 15 children independently Plan and implement play-based learning in accordance with YMCA Curriculum Ensure positive, professional communication with families, staff and volunteers on an ongoing basis Provide an inclusive environment, supporting the needs of all children, including those with exceptional behaviours and additional needs Demonstrate appropriate behaviours in line with our Mission, Vision and Values Adhere to work schedule to ensure program stays within ratio and provide adequate notice to supervisor regarding unexpected scheduling changes Demonstrate flexibility with routines and schedules Other duties as assigned For this role, you bring: Minimum 18 years of age Current Standard/Intermediate First Aid and CPR (Level C) certification OR completion of certification within first 90 days of employment Satisfactory Vulnerable Sector Check Up-to-date immunizations or equivalent in accordance with local public health and Child Care Early Years Act Availability requirements: Monday to Friday, 27.5 hours per week, with split shifts approximately 7:00–9:30 a.m. and 3:30–6:00 p.m. on all school instructional days (September to June). Hours and shifts are not guaranteed on non-instructional days (e.g., PA days, March Break, Christmas Break, summer) and may be scheduled at a different location.

Passion for working with children and providing quality play-based learning

Well-developed interpersonal, and relationship building skills with families, staff and volunteers Strong written and verbal communication skills Ability to stand for extended periods of time, lift up to 20 kg (44 lbs.), and participate in physical activities Ability to work outdoors for at least 2 hours daily year-round, in all weather conditions Benefits of working with us: Complimentary access to virtual and/or in-person opportunities promoting health and fitness Employee & Family Assistance Program Annual paid Wellness Day Annual recognition pay Professional development opportunities Work life balance that offers most evenings and weekends free; all statutory days off 6 well-being days per year About us: The YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka is a registered charity dedicated to building healthier, stronger communities by promoting physical, mental, and social well-being for all. We offer a wide range of inclusive and affordable programs and services to individuals and families, regardless of their background or financial situation. Our Y ignites the potential in people, serving over 64,000 individuals across Simcoe County, the District Municipality of Muskoka, and the District of Parry Sound. We are dedicated to creating vibrant, connected communities where everyone belongs. Our YMCA employs over a thousand staff and hundreds of volunteers who serve tens of thousands of individuals each year in various programs such as child care, camps, health and fitness, leadership development, employment and literacy, immigrant services, and youth programming. Our commitment is to create a safe and supportive environment where everyone feels welcome and valued. At the Y, we believe in the potential within each person to shine, and through support, positivity, and guidance, we empower individuals to overcome obstacles and achieve their goals. When we help each person shine, we unlock the collective strength of our entire community. We believe income should never stand in the way of wellbeing. Thanks to the generosity of our donors, we ensure that our inclusive programs and services are accessible to individuals and families across our community through our financial assistance program. Applications will remain open until filled. This role is for an existing vacancy that is available or will be available at the time of fulfillment. We wish to express our appreciation to all applicants for their interest in this position; however only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. In keeping with our commitment to child and youth safeguarding, job offers are contingent on the completion of a current Vulnerable Sector Check and employment reference checks. Vulnerable Sector Checks are reviewed on an individual basis and the offense(s) - if any - is considered in the decision-making process in relation to the requirement of working with children, therefore not eliminating all candidates with a record from being offered a position. Vulnerable Sector Checks must be renewed every three years. The YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka is committed to fair and accessible employment practices. Our goal is a diverse, inclusive workforce that reflects the communities we serve. Each step of our recruitment process is human-led; we do not use artificial intelligence (AI) or automated screening tools. Individuals needing employment accommodation in the hiring process or job postings in an alternative format may contact the recruitment department sm.jobs@sm.ymca.ca