Infant Director

Manitoba Child Care Association; Winnipeg; On-site; CAD 63,000 - 78,000; Full time

Job summary

Manitoba Child Care Association in Winnipeg is seeking an experienced Infant Director to lead a 38-space infant program at Kookum's Place Daycare. The role provides pedagogical leadership across programming, operations, team development, compliance, and daily centre operations, while fostering a high-quality, nurturing, and culturally rooted childcare environment.

You will shape a program where children, families, and educators feel supported, valued, and connected to the community, mentoring

Qualifications

• Experience leading infant programs in early learning settings.
• Strong knowledge of MELCC licensing requirements.
• Ability to mentor ECE staff and foster teamwork.

Responsibilities

• Lead daily centre operations, including staffing, scheduling, and overall program flow.
• Ensure compliance with Manitoba Early Learning and Child Care (MELCC) licensing standards, policies, and health and safety requirements.
• Oversee program design and delivery, using play-based and Indigenous-informed approaches.
• Mentor, support, and develop ECE staff, fostering a strong, collaborative team culture.
• Manage enrollment, documentation, and administrative systems.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with families, Elders, and community partners.
• Monitor program quality and support children's learning, growth and development.
• Foster a culturally rooted learning environment that reflects Indigenous values, relationships, and ways of knowing.
• Contribute to ongoing program development and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Provide strategic leadership that supports program sustainability, quality improvement, and organizational goals.
• Support staff growth through mentorship, supervision, performance feedback, and professional development.
• Foster meaningful relationships with families, Elders, and community partners to strengthen engagement and culturally responsive programming.

Skills

Leadership

Staff mentorship

Licensing compliance

Program design

Relationship building

Enrollment management

Play-based learning

Indigenous knowledge

Job description

Who We Are

NETES is a not-for-profit Indigenous organization supporting the success of Indigenous people in Winnipeg. We offer adult education, skills training and employment services, along with wrap-around services such as daycare, student housing, and health and wellness programming. Rooted in community, respect, and Indigenous values, our work helps build a strong, thriving Indigenous community.

Full Description

Position: Infant Director

Department: Kookum's Place Daycare

Competition Number: 2026KP-CD05

Classification: Management, Full Time

Hourly Wage: $35.67

Application Deadline: Until Filled

Who We Are

NETES is a not-for-profit Indigenous organization supporting the success of Indigenous people in Winnipeg. We offer adult education, skills training and employment services, along with wrap-around services such as daycare, student housing, and health and wellness programming. Rooted in community, respect, and Indigenous values, our work helps build a strong, thriving Indigenous community.

The Opportunity

Kookum's Place is an Indigenous-led, community-centred early learning program dedicated to supporting children and families through relationship-based care that honours Indigenous culture, values, and ways of knowing. Our approach is rooted in respect, connection, and belonging, with a strong emphasis on play-based and land-based learning.

To Lead, Inspire, and Grow: Indigenous-Centred Early Learning Child Care

We are seeking an experienced Infant Director to lead a 38-space infant program. This role provides pedagogical leadership across programming, operations, team development, compliance, and daily centre operations while fostering a high-quality, nurturing, and culturally rooted childcare environment.

You will play a key role in shaping a program where children, families, and educators feel supported, valued, and deeply connected to the community.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead daily centre operations, including staffing, scheduling, and overall program flow.
• Ensure compliance with Manitoba Early Learning and Child Care (MELCC) licensing standards, policies, and health and safety requirements.
• Oversee program design and delivery, using play-based and Indigenous-informed approaches.
• Mentor, support, and develop ECE staff, fostering a strong, collaborative team culture.
• Manage enrollment, documentation, and administrative systems.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with families, Elders, and community partners.
• Monitor program quality and support children's learning, growth and development.
• Foster a culturally rooted learning environment that reflects Indigenous values, relationships, and ways of knowing.
• Contribute to ongoing program development and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Provide strategic leadership that supports program sustainability, quality improvement, and organizational goals.
• Support staff growth through mentorship, supervision, performance feedback, and professional development.
• Foster meaningful relationships with families, Elders, and community partners to strengthen engagement and culturally responsive programming.

The Manitoba Child Care Association acknowledges that we are located on Treaty 1 Territory and on the lands of the Anishinaabe, Cree, Anisininew, Dakota, and Dene Peoples, and the Red River Métis Homeland.

We respect the Treaties that were made on these territories, we acknowledge the harms and mistakes of the past and we move forward in a spirit of reconciliation and collaboration.