Inclusion Support

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

Benefits offered by this job

Complimentary YMCA membership

Y at Home access

Job summary

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.

They also maintain open, respectful communication with families, sharing updates on their child's experiences, progress, and successes.

Qualifications

• Minimum 2 years of childcare experience with demonstrable evidence of experience linked to the role’s responsibilities.
• Excellent verbal, written, and presentation/workshop facilitation skills.
• Flexibility to work different shifts within the operational hours of the program.

Responsibilities

• Foster an inclusive environment – promote a safe, respectful, and welcoming space for all participants.
• 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.
• Documentation and record-keeping – complete and maintain ABC charts for behavior monitoring daily.
• Parent communication and reporting – provide weekly behavior and inclusive strategy reports to parents.
• Monitor and maintain resources – keep updated inventory of inclusive materials and equipment; recommend purchases or replacements.
• Implement individualized strategies – follow weekly inclusive strategy reports.
• Promote positive interactions – model and encourage positive social interactions among children.
• Ensure safety and well-being – supervise participants and adapt environments as needed.
• Ongoing professional development – participate in training related to inclusion, equity, diversity, and child development.
• Site coordinator communication – weekly meetings to review progress.
• Other duties as assigned.

Skills

Childcare experience

Verbal and written communication

Flexibility with shifts

Deadline management

Neurodivergent populations experience

Education

Highschool Diploma

Job description

Location: St. Catherine’s Elementary School, Ducd’Anville Elementary School, Inglis Street Elementary School, WestmountElementary School, Joseph Howe Elementary School

Program: YMCA Physical Healthy Development Before andAfter 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 inus to shine.

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

We give people the tools, encouragement, and safe space todiscover their inner strength. When they know someone’s in their corner, withunconditional support, they realize they can do more than they thoughtpossible. It’s your support, expertise, and guidance that helps people ignitetheir full potential and shape our neighbourhoods into vibrant and healthycommunities.

With us at their side, they can Shine On.

As part of your total compensation:

• Receivea complimentary YMCA membership to our Health & Fitness facilities.
• Accessto Y at Home, where you can participate in fitness programs from your ownhome.

About the Role

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

The Inclusion Support is responsible for completingbehaviour documentation and observations to help identify individual needs,monitor progress, and inform effective support strategies. The InclusionSupport provides guidance and encouragement to participants as they navigatechallenging moments, helping them build confidence, develop positiverelationships, and experience success within the program.

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

Key Responsibilities

• Fosteran Inclusive Environment – Promote a safe, respectful, and welcoming spacefor all participants, including those with diverse needs.
• ProvideDirect Support – Assist children requiring additional support toparticipate fully in daily activities, adapting approaches as needed.
• Collaboratewith Staff & Families – Maintain open, professional communication withthe Site Coordinator, program staff, and parents/guardians to ensureconsistent strategies and support. This involves attending parentmeetings, along with the Site Coordinator, relating to concerningbehaviors and developmental updates.
• Documentation& Record-Keeping – Complete and maintain ABC charts for behaviormonitoring on a daily basis.
• ParentCommunication and Reporting – On a weekly basis provide parents with abehavior report and an inclusive strategy report for the children whorequire inclusion support.
• Monitorand Maintain Resources – Keep an updated inventory of inclusive andequitable materials and equipment; recommend purchases or replacements asneeded.
• ImplementIndividualized Strategies – Follow and support inclusive strategy reportson a weekly basis.
• PromotePositive Interactions – Model and encourage positive social interactionsamong children, promoting empathy, respect, and cooperation.
• EnsureSafety and Well-being – Supervise participants to ensure both emotionaland physical safety, adapting environments and activities where needed.
• OngoingProfessional Development – Participate in training related to inclusion,equity, diversity, and child development best practices.
• SiteCoordinator Communication – On a weekly basis meet with the SiteCoordinator and Programmers to review the inclusive strategy reports toreview the child’s progress.
• Otherduties as assigned.

Education and Skills Qualifications

• Highschool Diploma, or equivalent combination of education and experience,with a strong reference.
• Minimum2 years of childcare experience with demonstrable evidence of experiencelinked to the role’s responsibilities.
• Demonstratedability to meet multiple, competing deadlines and priorities.
• Strongattention to detail.
• Excellentverbal, written, and presentation/workshop facilitation skills.
• Flexibilityto work different shifts within the operational hours of the program.
• Havingexperience with neurodivergent populations is an asset.

Please note that all successful candidates are requiredto provide:

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

Please note: Background checks are reviewed on anindividual basis – offenses, if any, are based on role and Child Safeguardingrequirements, 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. Webelieve that a variety of perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences enrich ourorganization, enabling us to better serve our community and achieve ourmission.

As an equal opportunity employer, we welcome applicationsfrom individuals of all backgrounds, including Black, Indigenous, People ofColour, racially diverse, 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals, gender-diverse people, peoplewith 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 appropriateaccommodation.