Inclusion Support

YMCA of Greater Halifax/Dartmouth; Dartmouth; On-site; CAD 26,000 - 28,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Complimentary YMCA membership

Access to Y at Home

Job summary

The YMCA of Greater Halifax/Dartmouth seeks an Inclusion Support for the YMCA Physical Healthy Development Before and After School program, serving students at multiple elementary schools in Halifax/Dartmouth. The role focuses on fostering inclusion, supporting participants with varying needs, and collaborating with families and staff to ensure meaningful participation.

You will document progress, share weekly reports, and implement individualized strategies while maintaining a safe, welcoming

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent with a strong reference.
• Minimum 2 years of childcare experience.
• Ability to meet multiple deadlines and priorities.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Excellent verbal, written, and workshop facilitation skills.
• Flexibility to work different shifts.
• Experience with neurodivergent populations is an asset.

Responsibilities

• Foster an inclusive, safe, and welcoming environment.
• Provide direct support to children and adapt approaches as needed.
• Collaborate with Site Coordinator, staff, and families to ensure consistent strategies.
• Complete and maintain ABC charts for behavior monitoring daily.
• Provide weekly behavior and inclusive strategy reports for children needing inclusion support.
• Maintain inventory of inclusive materials and equipment; recommend purchases as needed.
• Follow and support inclusive strategy reports weekly.
• Model and encourage positive social interactions and supervise for safety.
• Participate in ongoing professional development.
• Attend weekly meetings to review progress with the Site Coordinator and Programmers.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Childcare experience

Multitasking

Attention to detail

Verbal communication

Workshop facilitation

Flexible shifts

Neurodivergent awareness

Education

High school diploma

Job description

Location: St. Catherine’s Elementary School, Duc d’Anville Elementary School, Inglis Street Elementary School, Westmount Elementary School, Joseph Howe Elementary School

Program: YMCA Physical Healthy Development Before and After School (YPHD)

Position Status: Part Time (Contract September 2026 – June 2027)

Compensation: $19.00–$20.00/hour

There is potential inside all of us – we all have it in us to shine.

Every charity exists to help solve a problem – our charity exists to help solve many problems, from childcare shortages, social isolation, mental health issues, access to wellness, and more. Today, our network is spread across 100+ program locations in HRM and the province, meeting the most urgent needs of our communities in mental health supports, accessible childcare, supporting an increasing immigrant population, safe spaces for youth to grow and lead, helping to navigate a precarious labour market, delivering wellness programming for all, and creating community for isolated older adults.

We give people the tools, encouragement, and safe space to discover their inner strength. When they know someone’s in their corner, with unconditional support, they realize they can do more than they thought possible. It’s your support, expertise, and guidance that helps people ignite their full potential and shape our neighbourhoods into vibrant and healthy communities.

With us at their side, they can Shine On.

As Part Of Your Total Compensation

• Receive a complimentary YMCA membership to our Health & Fitness facilities.
• Access to Y at Home, where you can participate in fitness programs from your own home.

About The Role

The Inclusion Support, reporting to the Site Coordinator, plays a key role in fostering an inclusive, welcoming, and supportive environment where every participant can thrive.

The Inclusion Support is responsible for completing behaviour documentation and observations to help identify individual needs, monitor progress, and inform effective support strategies. The Inclusion Support provides guidance and encouragement to participants as they navigate challenging moments, helping them build confidence, develop positive relationships, and experience success within the program.

They also maintain open, respectful communication with families, sharing updates on their child's experiences, progress, and successes. Working collaboratively with the Site Coordinator and Programmers, the Inclusion Support helps develop, implement, evaluate, and adapt individualized strategies that promote meaningful participation, positive development, and a sense of belonging for all participants.

Key Responsibilities

• Foster an Inclusive Environment – Promote a safe, respectful, and welcoming space for all participants, including those with diverse needs.
• Provide Direct Support – Assist children requiring additional support to participate fully in daily activities, adapting approaches as needed.
• Collaborate with Staff & Families – Maintain open, professional communication with the Site Coordinator, program staff, and parents/guardians to ensure consistent strategies and support. This involves attending parent meetings, along with the Site Coordinator, relating to concerning behaviors and developmental updates.
• Documentation & Record-Keeping – Complete and maintain ABC charts for behavior monitoring on a daily basis.
• Parent Communication and Reporting – On a weekly basis provide parents with a behavior report and an inclusive strategy report for the children who require inclusion support.
• Monitor and Maintain Resources – Keep an updated inventory of inclusive and equitable materials and equipment; recommend purchases or replacements as needed.
• Implement Individualized Strategies – Follow and support inclusive strategy reports on a weekly basis.
• Promote Positive Interactions – Model and encourage positive social interactions among children, promoting empathy, respect, and cooperation.
• Ensure Safety and Well-being – Supervise participants to ensure both emotional and physical safety, adapting environments and activities where needed.
• Ongoing Professional Development – Participate in training related to inclusion, equity, diversity, and child development best practices.
• Site Coordinator Communication – On a weekly basis meet with the Site Coordinator and Programmers to review the inclusive strategy reports to review the child’s progress.
• Other duties as assigned.

Education And Skills Qualifications

• High school Diploma, or equivalent combination of education and experience, with a strong reference.
• Minimum 2 years of childcare experience with demonstrable evidence of experience linked to the role’s responsibilities.
• Demonstrated ability to meet multiple, competing deadlines and priorities.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Excellent verbal, written, and presentation/workshop facilitation skills.
• Flexibility to work different shifts within the operational hours of the program.
• Having experience with neurodivergent populations is an asset.

Please note that all successful candidates are required to provide:

• Criminal Record Check, Vulnerable Sector Check, and Child Abuse Register Check (less than 6 months old), if 18 years of age or older.
• Attend Child Safeguarding Training upon hire.

Please note: Background checks are reviewed on an individual basis – offenses, if any, are based on role and Child Safeguarding requirements, and may not eliminate candidates from employment at our YMCA.

Equity, Diversity & Inclusion

At the YMCA, we are committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace where every team member feels valued, respected, and empowered to bring their full, authentic selves to work. We believe that a variety of perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences enrich our organization, enabling us to better serve our community and achieve our mission.

As an equal opportunity employer, we welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, including Black, Indigenous, People of Colour, racially diverse, 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals, gender-diverse people, people with diverse abilities, members of ethnic minorities and faith groups, foreign-born residents, and veterans to apply.

If you require accommodation during the hiring process, please inform us in advance to arrange reasonable and appropriate accommodation.