EarlyON Designate - Waterloo Region 

 

Location: EarlyON, Waterloo Region  (see the additional Information section for details)

 

Work Hours: 37.5 hours/ week 

Occasional evenings and rotational or regularly scheduled Saturdays according to operational needs

 

Employment Type: Full Time, Permanent 

 

Number of Vacancies: 1

 

Anticipated Start Date: July 2026

 

Deadline to Apply: July 1, 2026  (We will be reviewing applications as they are received)

 

Starting Rate or Range: $55,000 Annually (Compensation may vary based on education, experience, and qualifications.)

Total Rewards Package: 

We believe that everyone has the potential to shine! Our culture is built around connection, celebration, appreciation, and recognition, and it starts with a total rewards package focused on Well-Being. 

Time Away from Work

At the YMCA of Three Rivers, we value work-life harmony. Full-time team members start with:

• 3 weeks of vacation, with the opportunity to earn more as their length of service increases

• 12 well-being days for sick time or proactive self-care, which can be used as they are earned. Bereavement days are also available.  

Pension Plan

Full-time employees can join our group pension plan after two consecutive years of employment. Employees contribute 5% of their gross earnings per pay, which is matched by the Y. After three consecutive years of full-time service, participation in the YMCA pension plan becomes mandatory.

Health, Dental and Well-being Benefits

The YMCA of Three Rivers offers a comprehensive group benefits package to full-time employees (starting 3 months after the start date), including:

• Prescription drugs, Basic dental coverage, Paramedical services, Vision care

• Access to an Employee (and Family) Assistance Program offering free and confidential counseling, resources, and services

• A free YMCA membership for you and your family, providing access to our fitness centers

• Discounts on YMCA programs and services, including childcare  

 

Role Overview: 

Who We are...

You will be an integral part of the EarlyON team in a community where families feel that they belong and are valuable contributors to their children’s learning, influencing positive outcomes for children and their families in the early years and beyond. Overall, you will join a dynamic team and an organization that has a massive impact across our community. You will be joining a local organization, but you’ll also be part of a global movement. Your work will have an impact, and the community we all call home will be a little better every day because of you.  

The YMCA of Three Rivers is a charitable organization proudly serving the communities of Guelph-Wellington, Stratford-Perth, and Waterloo Region. We aspire to build connected and resilient communities. Our mission is to make our diverse communities healthier and more vibrant. With dignity and respect, our programs and services inspire individuals to reach their full potential. Learn more about our history, mission, vision, and values here [https://www.ymcathreerivers.ca/about].   

We strive to be a great place to work for all employees to live in purpose, passion and potential Shine! 

What you will do…

• To assist in ensuring the centre is offering quality, age and developmentally appropriate care, programs, and services that meet and/or exceed the regulations outlined by the Child Care and Early Years Act (2014); the Municipality; the Public Health Unit; and the policies, procedures and protocols outlined by the YMCA of Three Rivers, Ministry of Education, EarlyON leadership and/or the Region of Waterloo as CMSM.
• Ensures that all requirements of the EarlyON curriculum as outlined on the PRL and within How Does Learning Happen? and the Kindergarten Program are supported. 
• Provides curriculum champion support to staff, students and volunteers by mentoring and coaching on the facilitation of EarlyON programs and services and tours as requested by the EarlyON Supervisor and in alignment with quality framework expectations.
• Ensures that the Child Protection Policy is being followed – bring concerns to the prompt attention to the EarlyON Supervisor/Child Protection Lead.
• Ensures all EarlyON Best Practices are being followed – bringing concerns to the prompt attention to the EarlyON Supervisor and/or other EarlyON Lead.
• Primary responsibility when a Supervisor/Lead is not onsite for non-emergency incidents/accidents/situations that occur onsite as requested by the EarlyON Lead. Completing follow up with the EarlyON Lead within one business day in writing. 
• Primary responsibility to connect with the Supervisor/On-call Leader by phone call for urgent, emergency, or other instances as outlined in the Emergency Binder, Child Protection, or as part of our Serious Occurrence Protocols as requested by the EarlyON Lead. Escalating to On-Call Leader or Operational Manager as needed.
• Support supervisor and team in program or environmental planning in alignment with EarlyON pedagogy and principles of family support; modeling open-ended questions, lens of curiosity and a willingness to learn alongside of others as co-learners.
• Peer-Reviewing written reflections and documentation weekly with the lens to proof-reading, and alignment with expectations as outlined on the PRL and in Core Training; and providing feedback to team members in consultation with EarlyON Lead. 
• Checking to ensure anything posted within the centre is current and aligns with EarlyON expectations.
• Maintains effective and positive communication within the YMCA of Three Rivers as an organization, and with children, parents and community contacts.
• Support with administrative tasks such as photocopying, non-confidential filing, printing, laminating, and providing oversight of inventories and purchasing lists.
• Extended hours leadership support to team in-person or on call and/or extended hours coverage either in rotation with EarlyON Supervisor/Assistant Supervisor or as a regular schedule as requested by EarlyON Supervisor.
• Provide team with onsite attestation review to approve current visit and to provide KEyON support when Admin/Leader support can not be reached.
• Support with coverage across EarlyON | Waterloo Region locations, depending on need.
• Models appropriate behaviors to staff in line with our Mission, Vision, and Values; establishes rapport and maintains effective relationship-building behaviors with staff, participants, and community members. Represents the YMCA of Three Rivers in a professional manner in internal and external forums.
• Attends meetings as required.
• Attends Y events/EarlyON Community events and encourages staff to attend, participate, volunteer, etc.
• Demonstrate effective problem-solving and communication skills while providing exceptional customer service to families, colleagues, and community partners. Approach interactions through a lens of curiosity, collaborative inquiry, and family support, using strength-based language and practices to build trusting relationships and foster inclusive, welcoming environments.
• Assisting EarlyON leads with meeting preparation and facilitation.
• Demonstrate a knowledge of Health & Safety policies and ensure they are implemented.
• Any other responsibilities/duties as assigned.

What you will bring…

 You are a Registered Early Childhood Educator (RECE). You have knowledge and expertise in child development and play, and inquiry-based learning. You have experience creating environments that nurture relationships for children, parents, and caregivers based on the latest evidence and research. You have demonstrated knowledge of How Does Learning Happen? Ontario’s Pedagogy for the Early Years and experience delivering high-quality early years programs. Relationship building, communication, adaptability, creativity and innovation, and teamwork are key competencies you rely on in your day-to-day work. Standard first-aid and CPR C 

This role requires regular travel across the region, which may not always be easily accessible through public transit. The employee must be able to arrange their own transportation to these sites. A valid G driver’s license and full-time vehicle access are strongly recommended.

Additional Information: 

Work Location: The home base for this position will be determined at the time of hire based on the operational needs and will be assigned to EarlyON Child and Family Centre within Waterloo region.

To view our Waterloo Region locations, please visit: https://earlyyearsinfo.ca/find-a-drop-in/ [https://earlyyearsinfo.ca/find-a-drop-in/]

Our Commitment to Safeguarding Child and Youth 

In keeping with our commitment to child and youth safeguarding, job offers are contingent on completing a current Vulnerable Sector Check and employment reference checks. Vulnerable Sector Checks are reviewed individually, 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.

Our Commitment to JAIDE (Justice, Access, Inclusion, Diversity and Equity) 

We embrace the values of Justice, Access, Inclusion Diversity and Equity and are committed to creating an inclusive workplace, welcoming applications from all qualified persons. We encourage Black, Indigenous, People of Colour, 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals, gender-diverse people, people with diverse abilities, members of ethnic minorities and faith groups, foreign-born residents, and veterans to apply. Applicants will not be discriminated against based on race, colour, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, religion, national origin, citizenship status, ability, ancestry, marital status, veteran status, medical condition, or any protected group. We are committed to creating an environment where we eliminate barriers and promote the inclusion of equity groups.

Studies have shown that women and people of equity-deserving backgrounds are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every qualification in the posting. We understand that knowledge and experience can be gained in many ways, so we strongly encourage applications even if you don’t believe you meet all the requirements outlined.

Per the Ontario Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005, accommodation will be provided at any point throughout the hiring process, provided the candidate makes their accommodation need known to the YMCA of Three Rivers. 

Our Commitment to Privacy 

The YMCA of Three Rivers complies with the Employment Standards Act, Pay Equity Legislation, and privacy laws.  We are committed to protecting personal information by following responsible information-handling practices that are in keeping with privacy laws.  Please visit our website [https://www.ymcathreerivers.ca/privacy] for more information on the YMCA of Three Rivers’ commitment to privacy. 

Please note that due to the large volume of applications received, only candidates being considered for the position will be contacted. 

To explore additional career opportunities with the YMCA of Three Rivers, please visit our Career Page [https://www.ymcathreerivers.ca/careers].