Junior Kindergarten

Early Childhood Educator/Early Childhood Educator Assistant

Permanent, part-time (0.40 FTE with the potential of full-time)

Starting January 2025

One of our core values at St. Michaels University School is respect. With this in mind, we acknowledge that our school rests in the heart of Straits Salish territory, a living culture with its own rites, ceremonies, and unfolding history. We honour the Esquimalt, Songhees, and W_SÁNEC peoples – whose homelands we share and whom we recognize as our neighbours.

If you are an educator who inspires students, is passionate about holistic learning and is driven to help young people shape their lives, this is a role, a school and a place for you.

Located in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, St. Michaels University School (SMUS) is a Junior Kindergarten to Grade 12 day and boarding school with a global reputation for academic excellence. Our faculty members enjoy small classes, modern facilities, and substantial preparation time that creates opportunities to understand their students and to make a real impact in their lives. Faculty salaries and benefits exceed the local public school districts and are supported by an exciting professional development program. As lifelong learners and with students at the centre, SMUS faculty are capacity builders by nature and inspiring educators by practice.

Our students from all over the world have opportunities in academics, athletics, arts, leadership, service, experiential and outdoor education, and are inspired by an extraordinary faculty that is committed to academic excellence, character growth and preparing students for what lies ahead in life. The school’s Mission shapes all of these endeavours: Our school seeks the excellence in all of us, with passion and compassion. We are a community shaped by the pursuit of truth and goodness, providing outstanding preparation for life. At St. Michaels University School, we seek to employ and empower individuals who wish to forge impactful relationships and careers that place our students at the centre. We firmly believe that expanding our diversity while adjusting our practice will lead to becoming the community we envision – a place where staff and students share a sense that they fully belong.

The Position:

Reporting to the Director of Junior School, the Junior Kindergarten Early Childhood Educator (ECE/ECEA) will support and deliver our Reggio-inspired Junior Kindergarten program. This position provides nurturing care and education for young children in a group setting and is responsible for developing and implementing daily activities that support and promote the development of children through joy and discovery. This individual has a passion for early childhood education and play based learning, embraces the School’s philosophy and policies, the BC Early Learning Framework, the BC Child Care Licensing Regulations, and related provincial regulations to maintain a standard of care that contributes to the School’s reputation for excellence.

Position Highlights:

This role works 8:30 AM to 12:30 PM through the school year with time off at school closures.
Opportunity exists to work in our Summer and Holiday Camps.

Responsibilities include:

Provides a rich, engaging environment for children aged 3-5 years, which nurtures and responds to the child’s developmental needs of well-being and belonging, exploration and creativity, languages and literacies, and social responsibility and diversity.
Builds meaningful relationships with all children and contributes to creating a responsive caring environment in order to facilitate growth.
Uses developmentally appropriate behaviour guidance strategies that encourage the development of positive self-concept.
Participates in the planning, preparing, delivering and evaluating of age-appropriate, inclusive activities for children that promote their holistic development aligned with our Reggio inspired approach.
Observes and documents relevant information as per School practices and/or the BC Child Care Licensing Regulation.
Is an active team member in caring for the children and in the overall operation of the programs, including emergency procedures.
Assesses, observes, documents and reflects on the abilities, interests and needs of children.
Discusses progress or limitations with parents and other staff members.
Ensures the program meets all requirements of the BC Child Care Licensing Regulations on a daily basis.
Maintains the Junior Kindergarten environment, equipment, toys and storage areas to meet health and safety standards.
Communicates with parents in a variety of ways through documentation, email, newsletters, conferences, occasional evening presentations.
Participates in class field trips.
Supports and maintains daily classroom schedules.
Helps prepare children for assemblies and school events concerts.
Participates in ongoing professional development and maintains regulatory certifications.
Develops a warm and welcoming atmosphere as part of the larger SMUS community while honouring the uniqueness of the program and its learners.
Other duties as required.

The successful candidate will have the following skills, background and interest:

Valid Early Childhood Education certificate; Early Childhood Education Assistant considered
Minimum 5 years of experience working in a licensed childcare setting preferred.
Knowledge of the BC Child Care Licensing Regulations.
Valid First Aid and CPR certificates.
Three Practicum or Childcare workplace character references.
Must be a current Canadian resident, legally entitled to work in Canada.
Up-to-date record of immunizations.
Ability to support a program that promotes the physical, cognitive, emotional and social development of children.
Proven knowledge of the BC Early Learning Framework and Inclusion Practices.
Has a high level of attention to detail as well as the capacity to be a proactive and analytical problem solver.
Excellent communication skills, both oral and written.
Enthusiastic, energetic, a self-starter with the ability to work independently.
Ability to be tactful, demonstrate excellent judgment, and work as a positive and collaborative team member.
Experience using technology to support learning.
Food Safe certification would be an asset.

Pay Range:

ECE: $44.56 to $53.25 per hour

ECEA: $36.62 to $43.76 per hour

Criminal Record Check:

Must pass and maintain a clear Solicitor General criminal record check for the purpose of working with children.

Application Details:

Please apply by 2:00 pm, Friday, Dec 13, 2024 by visiting https://www.smus.ca/discover/careers.