Children's Programmer

North York Women's Shelter; Toronto; On-site; CAD 42,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

North York Women's Shelter is seeking a Children’s Programmer to deliver trauma-informed child and youth programs under supervision. The role focuses on age-appropriate activities that foster positive social and emotional development, with emphasis on inclusivity and culturally responsive practice.

You will engage in diverse activities, support children through group interactions, and adapt to different needs while maintaining confidentiality and safety within the shelter setting.

Qualifications

• You have completed or are currently enrolled in post-secondary education in Early Childhood Education/Child Development, or hold a related degree.
• You have experience and/or training in designing and implementing programs for children and youth.
• 2-3 years of experience in summer camps, after-school, or youth-focused environments.
• Experience and/or training in trauma-informed care or mental health.
• Strong understanding of child and youth development and culturally responsive practices.
• Willingness to provide PVSC checks.
• CPR Level C and First Aid certifications.

Responsibilities

• Foster a trauma-informed, inclusive environment for Clients, colleagues, volunteers, and community.
• Facilitate age-appropriate activities to support social and emotional development.
• Engage diverse cultures, abilities, and experiences in program delivery.
• Deliver storytelling, arts, sensory play, and group learning to suit learning styles.
• Adapt delivery to meet diverse needs and abilities.
• Support children and youth with direct interactions that promote safety and well-being.

Skills

Trauma-informed care

Empathetic communication

Documentation

Independent work

Confidentiality

Crisis management

Education

Early Childhood Education

Bachelor in Psychology

PVSC clearance

First Aid CPR

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

About the role:

The Children’s Programmer plays an important role in the delivery of NYWS’ child and youth programs with guidance from the Manager, Programs & Services. This role is responsible for facilitating age-appropriate educational and recreational programs to support the positive social and emotional development of NYWS’ children and youth Clients in alignment with our principles of trauma-informed practice.

What you will be doing:

• Foster and maintain a trauma-informed, respectful, and inclusive environment for Clients, colleagues, volunteers, and other members of the NYWS internal and external community while adhering to NYWS' policies and procedures.
• Facilitate age-appropriate activities and programs for NYWS' children and youth Clients based on guidance and direction from the Manager, Programs and Services to help promote positive social and emotional development e.g., building confidence and self-esteem, healthy relationships, self-regulation and coping, using play and inquiry-based learning strategies.
• Foster diversity, equity, and inclusion by considering diverse cultures, physical abilities, neurodiversity, and lived experiences of children and youth in the delivery of programs as well as in communication with children and youth and their caregivers.
• Facilitate programming in age-appropriate ways such as storytelling, creative arts, sensory play, media, indoor and outdoor activities, and both individual and group learning experiences to support a variety of learning styles and developmental milestones.
• Adapt facilitation and delivery to accommodate diverse needs, interests, and abilities of participants, ensuring engaging, inclusive, and enjoyable learning opportunities for all.
• Actively participate in indoor and outdoor activities with children and youth while modelling and encouraging positive social skills, e.g., clear communication and constructive conflict resolution skills.
• Provide direct support to children and youth, including group interactions that foster safety, trust, and well-being.
• Provide individualized attention and care, recognizing and responding to developmental milestones and unique challenges at various stages of development (infants, toddlers, school-aged children, adolescents).
• Address inappropriate behaviour in a respectful and inclusive manner which helps facilitate reflection and growth.
• Recognize and de-escalate challenging situations in a trauma-informed manner.
• Notify the Programs and Services leadership of any supplies or equipment needed to support programming.
• Prepare program spaces and materials before activities and ensure program areas are cleaned, organized, and restored following each shift.
• Follow protocols for safety and security and proactively identify and report safety and operational concerns with the Programs and Services leadership.
• Maintain accurate and consistent program documentation including incident reports, key performance indicators/ metrics to support operational effectiveness, and program evaluation, funder requirements, compliance, and continuous improvement of child and youth programs and activities.
• Demonstrate professional conduct that aligns with NYWS's values and provides safety, support, and empowerment for Clients.
• Collaborate with the Programs and Services team to support areas where children and youth may need additional support.
• Provide child-minding support to residents during groups and weekly meetings.
• Uphold confidentiality of all Clients and staff in accordance with organizational policies.
• Attend and participate in additional team building, training, and community outreach projects as required.
• Support NYWS in remaining current and active in harm reduction policy development and community advocacy.
• Collaborate closely with staff to ensure continuity of care and consistent, high-quality support for children and youth.

• Maintain flexibility and availability to work relief shifts as needed to support operational and program requirements.

• Proactively uphold our principles of trauma-informed practice.
• Additional duties as assigned.

Who you are:

Your Education and Experience

• You have completed or are currently enrolled in your last year of post-secondary education in Early Childhood Education Child Development and/or presently hold a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology, Child Development, Education, and Family and Social Services.
• You have experience and/or training in designing and implementing programs and activities for children and youth.
• You have 2-3 years of experience working in summer camps, after-school programs, recreational programs, or similar child and youth-focused environments
• You have experience and/or training in trauma-informed care or mental health.
• You can demonstrate a strong understanding of child and youth development, trauma-informed care, and culturally responsive practices.
• You have or are willing to provide a satisfactory Vulnerable Sector Check (PVSC) with future checks.
• You have completed CPR Level C and First Aid certifications.

Your Skills and Competencies

• You have basic knowledge of Microsoft Office tools e.g., Outlook and Word.
• You take ownership for tasks and have strong work ethic.
• You demonstrate excellent professional and empathetic communication skills.
• You have strong problem solving and critical thinking skills.
• You are able to document and take comprehensive notes.
• You can work effectively independently as well as part of a team.
• You are committed to understanding and working from an intersectional feminist, anti-racist, and anti-oppressive lens.
• You have a high degree of confidentiality and discretion.
• You can work under pressure and in crisis situations.
• You are comfortable working in a pet-friendly environment.

The following additional qualifications would be considered assets:

• Experience working with survivors of violence and their dependents.
• Fluency with speaking and/or writing in additional languages.

Working Conditions:

• This role operates in a Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Shelter which provides Client services inclusive of adults, children, youth, and houses pets (dogs and cats).
• May be required to lift up to 30 lbs.
• Walking, standing, bending, stooping, reaching, twisting, lifting, pushing, pulling, and/or moving items.
• Speaking and listening on the telephone and using a computer.
• Exposure to GBV and IPV subject matter and cases.
• Occasional exposure to animals (dogs and cats).
• Occasional exposure to loud sounds.
• Occasional exposure to interpersonal conflict.
• Occasional exposure to substance use.