LOCATION: Kitchener, ON
START DATE: Contract Position from June 2019 to December 2019 – (1-year renewal pending funding).
We are looking for an innovator who will help us build a brand new and leading edge Indigenous child and family drop-in centre (OEYCFC). We will be building everything from the ground up (including the building, processes and programming). The right candidate will be passionate, experienced and knowledgeable about early years centre programs. Indigenous and cultural knowledge with experience is an asset. You should bring a diversity and inclusive mindset.
EarlyON Child and Family Centres support all children, parents and caregivers in learning, growing and connecting – together. This aligns with Ontario’s renewed vision for early years child care centres, where all children and families have access to a range of high-quality, inclusive and affordable programs and services centered around children and families, and contribute to children’s learning, development and well-being.
Our Indigenous focused OEYCFC uses the current ministry framework outlined in Ontario Early Years Child and Family Centres (Ministry of Education, 2018). The Centre’s programs are focused on meeting the needs of the diverse Indigenous population living in the Region of Waterloo by integrating Indigenous perspectives throughout our curriculum using culturally relevant and responsive pedagogy (CRRP). We believe that children thrive in programs where they and their families are valued as active participants and contributors. While our OEYCFC will be open to all, we will focus on offering Indigenous and culturally specific spirit building programming.
Our CRRP philosophy and programs support Indigenous children, and families, to see themselves reflected in their social spaces, learning activities, and play opportunities. We are inclusive and recognize the diversity within and amongst the First Peoples who call Waterloo region home. We use several models to inform our centre’s programs including the How Does Learning Happen framework along with First Nations, Metis, and Inuit Holistic Lifelong Learning Models emphasizing collaboration with Elders and Knowledge Keepers from the main cultural groups in the area. Our values are tied to the land, family and community.
We are committed to an asset model that builds spirit rather than focusing on deficiency in our systems. Our core services will include all programs traditionally found in OEYCFC. Our Indigenous programming includes, but is not limited to language and associated cultural teachings/practices with possibilities for cultural emersion, land-based learning, and positive interaction between all of our generations. We focus on a synthesized approach to science, technology, and the arts emphasizing culturally relevant and responsive settings, approaches, and outcomes.
Anishnabeg Outreach is a large and rapidly expanding Indigenous non-profit and charity organization. We have employment offices in Guelph and Kitchener. We are dedicated to the enrichment of our Indigenous community through the development of several partnerships. Through our work, we foster belonging and spirit building, and dedicate ourselves to building a healthy and vibrant Indigenous community every day. We know EarlyON Child and Family Centres are an important piece of this work. That’s where you come in.
What you will do…
As a team member, you will provide a welcoming and inclusive environment where all children and families have access to high-quality programs and services influencing positive child, family and community experiences and outcomes.
You will ensure EarlyON Child and Family Centres provide environments that engage parents and caregivers in conversations and experiences, share information about child development, parenting, nutrition, play and inquiry based learning, and other topics that support them in their role as their children’s first teacher.
You will support Early Learning and Development by ensuring the delivery of high-quality experiences that build responsive adult-child relationships and encourage children’s exploration, play and inquiry, supported by How Does Learning Happen? Ontario’s Pedagogy for the Early Years.
You will be part of a team that develops unique and culturally appropriate Indigenous early years programming for our Indigenous children and families.
You will be part of a team that is responsive to parents and caregiver’s questions or concerns about child development, uses validated tools and resources, and links to specialized services; making connections for families during and beyond the early years.
As a team member, you will share your expertise and provide support, development and coaching to other team members to help increase their knowledge, skills and confidence.
As a team member you will share in the daily operations of the Indigenous drop-in center.
You will share in the administrative responsibilities related to delivering EarlyON programs.
What you will bring…
You are a Registered Early Childhood Educator (RECE) with 1-3 years of experience leading and delivering programs in a child and family EarlyON setting. You have excellent knowledge and expertise in child development and play and inquiry based learning. You have experience working as part of a team in creating environments that nurture relationships for children, parents and caregivers based on the latest evidence and research.
You have a demonstrated knowledge of How Does Learning Happen? Ontario’s Pedagogy for the Early Years and experience as a team member in delivering high-quality early years programs. Relationship building, communication, ability to connect with families, coaching and development, and problem solving are key competencies you rely on in your day to day work.
You will have experience planning, developing and managing specific programs of an early year centre and all reporting related to the programs you deliver.
Indigenous cultural knowledge and teachings would be an asset but not required but you should have a passion for diversity and inclusion.
What you will gain…
You will play a foundational role as part of a team in developing and building our Indigenous EarlyON centre from the ground up in a community where Indigenous families feel that they belong and are valuable contributors to their children’s learning; influencing positive outcomes for Indigenous children and their families in the early years and beyond.
Overall, you’ll join a dynamic team and a local growing Indigenous organization that has transformative impact across our Indigenous community. Your work will have a lasting influence in the community we all call home will be a little better every day because of you.
This is a full time position based on a 40 hour work week. Some evenings and Saturdays may be required.
Join our team and make a difference in the life of Indigenous families in Waterloo Region, send your resume and cover letter by June 7, 2019 at 4 pm to Stephen Jackson, CEO – stephen@aocan.org.