YPHD Substitute Programmer

YMCA of Greater Halifax/Dartmouth; Dartmouth; On-site; CAD 21,000 - 26,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Complimentary YMCA membership

Access to Y at Home

Job summary

YMCA of Greater Halifax/Dartmouth is seeking Substitute Programmers for the YMCA Physical Healthy Development Before and After School program across five sites in Dartmouth. The role focuses on delivering safe, inclusive, and engaging activities that help children learn and thrive.

Positions are available as full time and part time within a September 2026 to June 2027 contract period. A strong emphasis on safety, policy compliance, and positive coaching is required.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Minimum 1 year of childcare experience with responsibilities aligned to role.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Attention to detail and reliability.

Responsibilities

• Deliver developmentally appropriate programming that supports physical, social, emotional, and cognitive development while promoting healthy, active lifestyles.
• Create inclusive indoor and outdoor learning environments and foster curiosity and independence.
• Use varied teaching strategies to support children's learning and development.
• Supervise children to maintain a safe, welcoming environment; ensure health and safety at all times.
• Complete administrative duties like attendance records, documentation, and family communications.

Skills

Childcare experience

Verbal communication

Written communication

Attention to detail

Education

High school diploma

Job description

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

Location: All five sites:

• St. Catherine’s Elementary School
• Duc d’Anville Elementary School
• Inglis Street Elementary School
• Westmount Elementary School
• Joseph Howe Elementary School

Position Status: Full Time and Part Time positions available

Contract Period: September 2026 – June 2027

Compensation: $17.00 per 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

Full Time Employees Also Receive

• 3 weeks’ vacation entitlement and paid wellness days
• Comprehensive benefits package and pension
• Complimentary wellbeing and counselling services

About The Role

Reporting to the Site Coordinator at the specific site, the YPHD Substitute Programmer is responsible for delivering high-quality programming that creates a safe, inclusive, engaging, and nurturing environment where children can learn, grow, and thrive.

The Substitute Programmer ensures compliance with all YMCA policies, procedures, and Provincial Before and After Program (BAP) requirements while actively supervising children and fostering meaningful learning experiences through play.

The Programmer also supports the day-to-day operation of the program by maintaining a safe environment, building positive relationships with children and families, and contributing to the overall success of the site.

Key Responsibilities

• Implement and actively participate in engaging, developmentally appropriate programming that promotes children's physical, social, emotional, and cognitive development while encouraging healthy, active lifestyles.
• Create, implement, and evaluate inclusive indoor and outdoor learning environments that foster curiosity, independence, positive self-concept, and learning through play.
• Use a variety of teaching strategies, including modelling, observing, questioning, demonstrating, and positive reinforcement, to support children's learning and development.
• Maintain a safe, welcoming, and inclusive environment by actively supervising children and ensuring their health, safety, and well-being at all times.
• Complete all required administrative duties accurately and within established timelines, including attendance records, child documentation, incident reporting, and communication with families.
• Build positive, respectful relationships with children, families, colleagues, and community partners to support children's success and enhance the quality of the program.
• Contribute to a collaborative team environment by demonstrating YMCA leadership competencies, fostering positive relationships, and creating a culture of belonging and inclusion.
• Consistently represent the YMCA's values and purpose while complying with all YMCA policies, procedures, Child Safeguarding standards, Provincial Before and After Program (BAP) requirements, licensing regulations, and Occupational Health and Safety standards, including maintaining all required certifications.
• Submit timesheets and other required payroll information through Payworks by established deadlines.
• Show flexibility and reliability amongst all five sites.
• Communicate program updates, successes, concerns, and operational needs to the Site Coordinator in a timely manner and seek guidance when required.
• Respond professionally to parent/caregiver inquiries and concerns, escalating complex or sensitive matters to the Site Coordinator as appropriate.
• Other duties as assigned.

Education And Skills Qualifications

• High school diploma, or equivalent combination of education and experience, with a strong reference.
• Minimum 1 year of childcare experience with demonstrable evidence of experience linked to the role’s responsibilities.
• Attention to detail.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Application Deadline: Thursday, August 17th, 2026

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.
• Valid First Aid and CPR Training.

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.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Commitment

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.