Registered Early Childhood Educator (RECE)

Children; Ottawa; On-site; CAD 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Vacation 4–6 weeks per year

Health and dental benefits

RRSP with employer matching

CECE membership after 1 year

Fully funded professional development

Job summary

Children's Village of Ottawa-Carleton is hiring a Registered Early Childhood Educator (RECE) to provide a high-quality program of education and care for children in a group setting. You will support emergent curriculum, How Does Learning Happen?, ELECT, and ECA regulations while supervising staff and ensuring confidentiality. The role is based at Thos.

McDowell Early Learning Centre in Ottawa, Ontario. You will collaborate with families, maintain documentation, and participate in ongoing

Qualifications

• Registered member in good standing with the College of Early Childhood Educators
• Early Childhood Education Diploma or Degree or equivalent qualifications
• Experience in licensed childcare setting; 1+ year preferred
• Ability to lift up to 40 pounds
• Commitment to confidentiality and ethical standards

Responsibilities

• Plan, implement, and evaluate inclusive, play-based learning experiences for children
• Apply emergent curriculum aligned with How Does Learning Happen? and ELECT
• Build caring, responsive relationships with children and families
• Use positive behaviour guidance to support development
• Collaborate with colleagues, families and community partners
• Maintain safe, healthy, inclusive learning environments per regulations
• Observe, document, and assess children's development with records
• Mentor students, volunteers and supply staff in classrooms
• Engage in ongoing professional learning and team collaboration
• Uphold confidentiality at all times

Job description

Who We Are

For over 160 years, Children's Village of Ottawa-Carleton has been an integral part of our community, supporting children, families, and caregivers through generations of change. Founded in 1864 as a home for orphaned and vulnerable children, we've evolved into a leader in high-quality, inclusive early learning and care. Throughout every chapter, one principle has remained constant: creating environments that feel like "the next best thing to home." Today, as one of Ottawa's longest-standing charities, we serve families through a network of licensed childcare centres, home childcare programs, and community-based services that reach children from infancy through school age.

If you're looking to build your career in a place where your work means care and carries meaning today and for generations to come, you'll find it here.

Learn more about our history.

Position Overview

As a RECE, you will provide a high-quality program of education and care for children in a group setting. Your work will reflect the principles of Early Learning for Every Child Today (ELECT) and Ontario's pedagogy for the early years, How Does Learning Happen?, and will align with the regulations of the Child Care and Early Years Act. You will collaborate in the planning, implementation, and evaluation of developmentally appropriate programming that supports children's learning and developmental goals through active engagement, exploration, play, and inquiry. You will also support the supervision and evaluation of supply staff, students, and volunteers in the implementation of emergent curriculum and the project approach, while maintaining confidentiality at all times.

This posting reflects a current opportunity within our team. This position reports to the Program Supervisor and is based at our Thos. McDowell Early Learning Centre (159 Lorry Greenberg Drive, Gloucester, Ottawa, Ontario, K1T 3J6).

What You’ll Do

• Plan, implement, and evaluate inclusive, play-based learning experiences that support children's holistic development through exploration, inquiry, and active learning.

• Apply emergent curriculum approaches aligned with How Does Learning Happen? and ELECT, using observation and documentation to guide programming.
• Build caring, responsive relationships with children and families, fostering a sense of belonging, well-being, and engagement.
• Use positive behaviour guidance strategies to support children's self-regulation, problem-solving, and social development.
• Collaborate with colleagues, families and community partners to support inclusive programming and meet the diverse needs of children.
• Maintain a safe, healthy, and inclusive learning environment in compliance with the Child Care and Early Years Act, public health requirements, and organizational policies.
• Actively supervise children and ensure adherence to ratios, safety procedures, and emergency protocols at all times.
• Observe, document, and assess children's development, maintaining accurate records, daily logs, and required documentation.
• Support the mentorship and guidance of students, volunteers, and supply staff within the classroom.
• Engage in ongoing professional learning, reflective practice, and team collaboration to support continuous improvement.
• Uphold duty to report obligations and maintain strict confidentiality at all times.

To be successful in this role, you will:

• Be a registered member in good standing with the College of Early Childhood Educators.
• Hold an Early Childhood Education Diploma or Degree from a recognized college or university, or equivalent qualifications.

You bring:

• A minimum of 1 year of experience in a licensed childcare setting, working with relevant age groups.
• Experience implementing emergent curriculum and Ontario's early years frameworks, including How Does Learning Happen? and ELECT.
• A commitment to confidentiality, ethical standards, and professional boundaries.
• The ability to lift up to 40 pounds.

You demonstrate:

• The ability to plan an engaging emergent curriculum aligned with How Does Learning Happen? and ELECT.
• Strong knowledge of CCEYA and ensures ongoing compliance with regulatory requirements, including ratios, qualifications, and documentation.
• Effective behaviour guidance and group management.
• The ability to build and maintain positive relationships with families and colleagues.

The selected candidate must hold a valid Standard First Aid & CPR 'C' certification and a current and satisfactory Police Vulnerable Sector Check prior to employment.

What We Offer

At Children's Village of Ottawa-Carleton, we believe the quality-of-care children receive is directly connected to how supported and valued our employees feel. That's why we've built a workplace culture rooted in trust, respect, collaboration, and growth. where your wellbeing matters and your contributions are recognized.
We offer a comprehensive total rewards package designed to support both your professional and personal life, including:

• Vacation starting at 4 weeks per year, growing to 6 weeks with tenure
• 5 paid personal leave days per year
• 18 paid sick days per year
• Health and dental benefits
• RRSP with employer matching
• Paid CECE membership after 1 year and free in-house Standard First Aid & CPR training
• Fully funded professional development and leadership growth opportunities
  

Most importantly, you'll be part of a team that genuinely cares, where collaboration is at the heart of how we work, and every team member plays a meaningful role in creating positive, lasting experiences for the communities we serve.

Recruitment Process & Accessibility

Children's Village of Ottawa-Carleton is committed to building a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace where all individuals feel respected, valued, and empowered to contribute. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, identities, and lived experiences, including, but not limited to, Indigenous, Black, and racialized individuals, persons with disabilities, members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, and those from diverse cultural and linguistic communities.

We are committed to providing an accessible and barrier‑free recruitment process. Accommodations are available at every stage of hiring in accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). Please let us know if you require accommodation in advance and we will work with you to meet your needs.

Candidates identified as a strong fit will be invited to participate in an initial screening call. Successful candidates will then advance to the interview stage. To learn more about the recruitment process, visit our Careers page.

Application Deadline: October 30, 2026