Child Care Volunteer

YMCA Calgary Volunteer Position

Volunteer Title: Child Care Volunteer    

Location: Brookfield Residential YMCA at Seton, Remington YMCA at Quarry Park, Shawnessy YMCA, and Saddletowne YMCA

Reports To: Child Care Supervisor, Child Care Director

Date of Revision: July 2023

Note: This role has an age requirement of 16+ years.

Summary

Positive, caring relationships form the foundation for all that occurs within the child care setting, with children learning about YMCA Calgary’s four core values of honesty, caring, respect, and responsibility. With the support of YMCA volunteers, children practice behaviors which support social skill development, emotional competence, and community engagement. Choice-based programming along with flexible schedules create child-oriented environments in which children belong, grow, and thrive. Through engagement in play-based learning activities, we help them to progress in all developmental domains.

Time Commitment

This position requires an 8 month commitment. Volunteers are expected to commit to one (1) volunteer shift per week. Shifts are 2 hours in length and typically scheduled during mornings and afternoons.  

Duties and Responsibilities

Health and Safety

  1. Maintain a safe environment by following YMCA Calgary policies and procedures
  2. Build relationships with members, participants, and YMCA staff and volunteers
  3. Communicate with YMCA Staff regarding any situations during your volunteer shift

Program Support

  1. Ensure safety, communication, and a sense of belonging are high priorities
  2. Manage risks associated with participation in programs
  3. Form relationships that happen within the child care environment
  4. Always demonstrate safe practices and act promptly on all health and safety risks and concerns
  5. Support curriculum delivery and child development practices, including accompanying and actively engaging with children during all activities and supporting individual needs
  6. Support Early Childhood Educators with planned and unplanned provocations within the classroom or outdoors
  7. Maintain a clean, organized, and safe indoor and outdoor environment utilizing established procedures identified by YMCA Calgary, Calgary Fire Department, Alberta Health Services and Provincial Child Care Licensing Act and Early Learning and Child Care Regulations

Skills

At YMCA Calgary we ensure our volunteers are a fit based on their strengths, interests, and future goals. The successful candidate will have the following: 

  1. Flexibility to support in the centre, in an outdoor environment, and outside of the centre
  2. Ability to uphold and protect confidential information
  3. Work collaboratively with other staff and volunteers

Benefits

  1. Develop practical leadership skills
  2. Complementary YMCA Calgary membership (after 3-month probation)
  3. Education and professional development opportunities

Qualifications

  1. Clear Police Information Check with a Vulnerable Sector Search (volunteer letter will be provided after interview)
  2. Three references (two professional)
  3. Able to attend and complete required trainings

Orientation and Training

  1. YBeginnings Orientation
  2. Health, Safety, and Risk Training
  3. Child Safety and Protection Training
  4. WHMIS 2015
  5. Position-specific training
    1. Processes and tools
    2. Expectations
  6. Ongoing training and support