ABORIGINAL HEAD START EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATOR ASSISTANT

The Vancouver Aboriginal Friendship Centre Society (VAFCS) is a non-profit charitable organization serving the Urban Aboriginal community with a mandate to provide programs and services that will contribute to the cultural, educational, social, economic, and recreational development of Urban Aboriginal people. The Society manages twenty-three programs and services through three locations in Vancouver. The Friendship Centre at 1607 East Hastings is a community-led organization creating meaningful change for the Urban Aboriginal Population that we serve. VAFCS is currently seeking an individual connected with Indigenous community, highly organized, and self-motivated to work with us!

The ideal candidate has Aboriginal life experience or has worked in the Metro Vancouver Aboriginal community with firsthand knowledge of the common life experience of Aboriginal Peoples. Qualified Aboriginal candidates are preferred in accordance with Section 41 of the BC Humans Rights Code.

Position Summary

The Aboriginal Head Start Early Childhood Educator Assistant (AHSECEA) will be a core member of the VAFCS Aboriginal Head Start team and will work cooperatively with the Aboriginal Head Start Coordinator and all members of the AHS team. The AHS ECEA is responsible for supporting the provision of culturally appropriate, nurturing care to young children as per the vision, goals, mandate, objectives and policies of the VAFCS and Aboriginal Head Start Association of B.C.

Required Experience:

Experience in a Licensed Child Care Setting: 1 year

Experience developing and delivering age-appropriate children’s programming designed to meet the spiritual, emotional, intellectual, and physical needs of the child that empowers them to develop a sense of self and a connection with the Aboriginal community on a daily basis.

Experience ensuring safe and active supervision of children at all times.

Experience working with teams, including children, parents, and staff.

Key Responsibilities:

• Support early childhood educators in carrying out programs and promoting the physical, cognitive, emotional, and social development of children.
• Follow VCH childcare licensing regulations.
• Engage children in activities by telling stories, teaching songs and preparing crafts.
• Provide a daily balance of active/quiet, indoor/outdoor and individual/group activities.
• Organize space, equipment and materials prior to activities.
• Maintain daycare equipment and assist in housekeeping and cooking duties
• Prepare snacks and arrange rooms or furniture for lunch and rest periods.
• Assist with children’s physical needs for eating, sleeping and toileting.
• Discuss the program’s daily events with family members at drop-off and pick-up times.
• Observe children and provide written reports to expand play and plan activities that recognize individual differences and new developmental achievement.
• Work with AHS staff and other specialists (when applicable) to plan, carry out and review individual program plans.
• Participate in short and long-term planning and the annual program review.
• Assist with the development and delivery of programming.
• May assist early childhood educators or supervisors in keeping records.

Salary & Benefits:

$25.52 per hour