Area Manager, Child Care Operations

East York East Toronto Family Resources Organization (EYET) is a non-profit multi-service organization operating in the east end of Toronto. We offer a range of services, resources and supports to individuals, families and the community. Our program focus includes licensed childcare, family supports, housing supports, and newcomer services. EYET is committed to accountability, responsiveness, inclusion, innovation and collaboration and operates within an anti-oppression framework. We offer a competitive salary and 100% employer-paid supplementary benefits package, in addition to generous vacation and sick leave provisions.

Position Summary

This is a new position, reporting to the Director, Community Programs. Functioning as the department head, the Area Manager, Child Care Operations is responsible for the management and administration of all EYET licensed child care services. They will lead, supervise and provide direction to centre supervisors in the development, implementation and evaluation of licensed child care programming and services, promoting high quality child care programs and services to all community participants. At all times, they will do this in alignment with EYET’s mission, values and the Early Learning and Care Program Statement. Working in consulation with the Director, Community Programs, this role will also be responsible for key areas of operational and administrative risk specific to the department. This includes, but is not limited to: financial, health and safety, program development, workforce development, and community partnerships.

Key Responsibilities Include:

Program Development, Implementation and Evaluation

• Serve as the strategic and operational lead for management of all EYET child care programs, services, and projects;
• Identify strategic areas of growth and improvement within the child care department, providing leadership and direction to centre supervisors in the implementation of such strategies and ensuring they align with agency’s annual strategic plan goals and objectives;

Licensing and regulatory requirements

• Manage the ongoing licensing and regulatory requirements of all EYET child care centre and work with centre supervisors to ensure licensing standards are consistently met, including criteria within the City of Toronto’s Assessment for Quality Improvement framework;

Operational Risk

• Identify and manage key areas operational risk within the child care department in consultation with the Director and in collaboration with relevant members of the managerial leadership team. This includes, but is not limited to, licensing and program requirements, purchasing and procurement, financial planning and reporting, staffing and workforce development, health & safety, facilities, etc.
• Provide recommendations to the Director to avoid/mitigate undue risks within the child care department;

Financial

• Work collaboratively with the Director, Community Programs to prepare departmental budget(s) and ensure spending is on target for all relevant services;
• Oversee centre supervisors in planning, implementing and monitoring operational spending throughout the year to ensure all centres are equipped with high quality materials, within budgeted spending plans;
• Work collaboratively with the Manager, Finance in ongoing monitoring of spending and forecasting.

Human Resources

• Provide supervisory oversight and to all centre supervisors that is collaborative, cooperative and constructive and seeks to avoid and/or mitigate unnecessary operational risk
• Manage the implementation of EYET Human Resource policies and procedures within the context of licensed child care in consultation with the Manager responsible for human resources;
• Serve as primary hiring manager in the recruitment of all child care staff, including permanent, contract and casual/supply positions.

Leadership and Team Development

• Work with centre supervisors to support and cultivate leadership and undertake effective team engagement activities within child care operations;
• Provide oversight in planning, monitoring and evaluating the performance of each centre supervisor.

Communication and Relationship building

• Strategically communicate with funding, regulatory and community partner representatives, such as the Ministry of Education, TCDSB/TDSB and City of Toronto, to maintain compliance and ensure constructive dialogue is in place in relation to licensed childcare service requirements.
• Develop and maintain effective outreach strategies to promote and strengthen EYET’s childcare brand.
• Ensure strategies are in place for regular, positive and open communication with centre supervisors and staff within each centre to promote team building and team cohesion while also ensuring positive relationships are built at the centre level between supervisors and families receiving child care services

Meetings, Committees and Agency wide activities:

• Plan and coordinate regular meetings with centre supervisors; ensuring input is received from all members and actionable decisions are made and communicated in a timely manner;
• Attend and participate in all required program level, administrative and/or agency wide meetings.

Minimum Skills and Qualifications

• Completion of Bachelor’s degree or higher in Early Childhood Education or related field of study;
• Minimum of five (5) years of management experience with supervisory level direct reports and experience in a licensed child care setting preferred.
• Current RECE registration in good standing with the Ontario College of ECE or similar regulatory body;
• Excellent working knowledge and experience in ongoing requirements of the CCEYA and other guiding documents including the How Does Learning Happen framework;
• Demonstrated administrative experience in childcare funding models, budgets and financial processes;
• Demonstrated experience managing child care business processes (e.g., financial, human resources, facilities, health and safety, etc.);
• Demonstrated ability to function in a leadership capacity in a team setting; Experience managing in a unionized workplace is an asset;
• Excellent proficiency in English language, including writing and verbal skills;
• Willingness to work occasional evenings and/or weekends;
• Advanced computer/digital literacy with a strong working knowledge of Microsoft 365 tools and applications

Only e-mailed applications will be accepted. No telephone enquiries, please. Individuals from equity-seeking groups are encouraged to apply.

Interviews may be scheduled prior to the closing date of the job posting. Only candidates selected for interview will be contacted.