Infant Director

Job summary

Lead daily operations and pedagogical direction for a 38-space infant program, ensuring compliance with licensing standards. Mentor ECE staff and foster culturally rooted, Indigenous-informed learning environments for children and families.

Job details

Full Description Position: Infant Director Department: Kookum's Place Daycare (Infant Centre) Competition Number: 2026KP-CD05 Classification: Management, Full Time Hourly Wage: 35.67 Application Deadline: Until Filled Who We Are NETES is a not-for-profit Indigenous organization supporting the success of Indigenous people in Winnipeg. We offer adult education, skills training and employment services, along with wrap-around services such as daycare, student housing, and health and wellness programming. Rooted in community, respect, and Indigenous values, our work helps build a strong, thriving Indigenous community. The Opportunity Kookum’s Place is an Indigenous-led, community-centred early learning program dedicated to supporting children and families through relationship-based care that honours Indigenous culture, values, and ways of knowing. Our approach is rooted in respect, connection, and belonging, with a strong emphasis on play-based and land-based learning. To Lead, Inspire, and Grow: Indigenous-Centred Early Learning Child Care We are seeking an experienced Infant Director to lead a 38-space infant program. This role provides pedagogical leadership across programming, operations, team development, compliance, and daily centre operations while fostering a high-quality, nurturing, and culturally rooted childcare environment. You will play a key role in shaping a program where children, families, and educators feel supported, valued, and deeply connected to the community. Key Responsibilities Lead daily centre operations, including staffing, scheduling, and overall program flow. Ensure compliance with Manitoba Early Learning and Child Care (MELCC) licensing standards, policies, and health and safety requirements. Oversee program design and delivery, using play-based and Indigenous-informed approaches. Mentor, support, and develop ECE staff, fostering a strong, collaborative team culture. Manage enrollment, documentation, and administrative systems. Build and maintain strong relationships with families, Elders, and community partners. Monitor program quality and support children’s learning, growth and development. Foster a culturally rooted learning environment that reflects Indigenous values, relationships, and ways of knowing. Contribute to ongoing program development and continuous improvement initiatives. Provide strategic leadership that supports program sustainability, quality improvement, and organizational goals. Support staff growth through mentorship, supervision, performance feedback, and professional development. Foster meaningful relationships with families, Elders, and community partners to strengthen engagement and culturally responsive programming. The Manitoba Child Care Association acknowledges that we are located on Treaty 1 Territory and on the lands of the Anishinaabe, Cree, Anisininew, Dakota, and Dene Peoples, and the Red River Métis Homeland. We respect the Treaties that were made on these territories, we acknowledge the harms and mistakes of the past and we move forward in a spirit of reconciliation and collaboration.

What you’ll do

Lead daily operations and pedagogical direction for a 38-space infant program, ensuring compliance with licensing standards. Mentor ECE staff and foster culturally rooted, Indigenous-informed learning environments for children and families.

Requirements

Seeking an experienced leader capable of managing childcare operations and staff development. Must be able to implement play-based and Indigenous-centred early learning approaches.

Listed skills

• Mentorship · Preferred
• Relationship Building · Preferred

Other relevant skills

Identified from the job description. Confirm important requirements above.

• Pedagogical Leadership
• Staff Management
• Program Design
• Compliance Management
• Indigenous-Informed Care
• Play-Based Learning
• Land-Based Learning
• Mentorship
• Relationship Building
• Administrative Systems
• Strategic Leadership
• Performance Feedback

Job areas

• Education
• Management & Leadership
• Social Services