Child Minding

YMCA Calgary Volunteer Position

Volunteer Title: Child Minding Volunteer

Location: Various YMCA Locations

Reports To: Preschool Supervisor

Date of Revision:

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

Summary

YMCA Calgary offers short-term care for infants and children ages six weeks to nine years while their parents/guardians use our facilities. Our child minding caregivers create a fun, safe and comfortable environment for young children. Caregivers apply best practices for healthy child development and integrate play-based learning theory into everything they do.

 

Time Commitment

This position requires a 6-month commitment. Volunteers are expected to commit to one (1) volunteer shift per week. Shifts are 2 hours in length and typically scheduled on weekdays during the morning and early afternoon and weekend mornings.

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. Support young children to learn about and practice social skills including YMCA Calgary’s core values of respect, honesty, responsibility and caring
  4. Utilize established practices for the cleaning and sanitizing of program equipment and spaces both during and in between user groups
  5. Follow established program sign in/out procedures which include health measures as well as child protection practices
  6. Personal care support
  7. Support children to learn about and practice in appropriate personal hygiene

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. Experience effectively engaging with young children as they explore interests through play-based learning activities as well as role modeling the YMCA core values of honesty, respect,
    responsibility and caring
  2. Actively role model the YMCA core values of honesty, respect, responsibility and caring
  3. Ability to pproactively identify and address situations which may arise within the preschool setting
  4. Ability to maintain a clean, safe and welcoming environment

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
    3. Play Based Learning Theory & Practical Application
  6. Ongoing training and support