EarlyON Educator

The YMCA of Three Rivers; Southwestern Ontario; On-site; CAD 45,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free YMCA membership for you and your/

3 weeks vacation

12 well-being days

Pension plan after two years

Health, dental and wellbeing benefits

Job summary

The YMCA of Three Rivers is hiring an EarlyON Educator in Waterloo Region. You will contribute to high‑quality early years programs and engage families to support children’s development.

You must be a RECE or actively enrolled in an ECE program, with experience in play‑based learning. The role offers a comprehensive benefits package and opportunities for growth within a mission‑driven community organization.

Qualifications

• RECE credential or active enrollment in an ECE program is required.
• Bachelor of Early Learning or ECE program enrolment is accepted.
• Knowledge of How Does Learning Happen? Ontario’s Pedagogy for the Early Years is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Assist in delivering quality, developmentally appropriate EarlyON care and programs per regulations and YMCA policies.
• Engage parents and caregivers with information on child development, nutrition, play, and inquiry-based learning.
• Maintain health and safety standards and clean EarlyON environments.
• Support learning through activities that promote responsive adult–child relationships.
• Communicate effectively with families, staff, and community contacts and assist across multiple EarlyON sites.

Skills

Relationship building

Communication

Adaptability

Creativity

Teamwork

Education

Registered Early Childhood Educator (RECE)

Bachelor of Early Learning

Early Childhood Education program

Job description

**RECE or current enrollment in ECE/BELP program required**

Location: EarlyON, Waterloo Region

(Please refer to the Additional Information section for details)

Work Hours: 37.5 hours per week, Monday - Friday
(Occasional Saturday and evening hours may be required based on operational needs.)

Employment Type: Full Time, Permanent

Number of Vacancies: 1

Anticipated Start Date: October 2026

Deadline to Apply: October 2, 2026

Starting Rate or Range: EarlyON RECE - $ 50,427 Annually

(The starting rate may vary based on the successful candidate's relevant experience, education, 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:

• 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 valueshere .

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.
• You will engage parents and caregivers in conversations and experiences, sharing 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.
• Ensures all EarlyON Best Practices are being followed – bringing concerns to the prompt attention to the EarlyON Supervisor and/or other EarlyON Lead.
• You will support Early Learning and Development by providing 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 uphold health and safety standards, including regular cleaning of toys and materials and working with parents/caring adults and other educators to ensure that our EarlyON environments are clean and well-maintained.
• You will respond to parents' and caregivers’ questions or concerns about child development through conversations and observations, using validated tools and resources, and linking to specialized services, making connections for families during and beyond the early years.
• Maintains effective and positive communication within the YMCA of Three Rivers as an organization, and with children, parents, and community contacts.
• Provide program support across multiple EarlyON locations within the Waterloo Region, based on daily operational needs.
• Attends meetings as required.
• Any other responsibilities/duties as assigned.

What you will bring…

You are a Registered Early Childhood Educator (RECE) or are actively enrolled in either the Bachelor of Early Learning Program or an Early Childhood Education program. 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.

This role requires Occasional 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.

Additional Information:

Applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis. The posting may be closed prior to the advertised closing date if a suitable candidate is identified or if we receive a high volume of qualified applications.

Work Location:

This Educator position is split between EarlyON St. Boniface and EarlyON Mobile Sites across the Waterloo Region. Flexibility to travel and work across EarlyON locations may be required based on operational needs.

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 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.