Executive Director

SUMMARY:

The Board of the Main Square Daycare Centre (MSDC) is seeking a full-time permanent Executive Director that is a dynamic leader with vision and experience in the childcare sector. The Executive Director is responsible for the successful leadership, overall management, and operations of the Centre according to the direction and policies set by the Board.

ABOUT MSDC:

Main Square Daycare Centre is a non-profit, community-based childcare Centre serving children and families in Toronto. For over 53 years, our Centre has been a trusted part of the community, operating as a registered charity with a strong commitment to high-quality, inclusive early learning and care.

We serve 65 children across toddler, preschool, and school-age programs, supported by a dedicated team of approximately 15 full- and part-time staff. The Centre is guided by a volunteer Board of Directors and operates as a non-unionized workplace. Located on the ground level of an established apartment complex, the Centre provides a welcoming and accessible environment within a vibrant residential community.

Our programs are grounded in play-based pedagogy, guided by How Does Learning Happen?, and supported by strong relationships with families and the community. The Centre is licensed under the Child Care and Early Years Act (CCEYA) and participates in Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care (CWELCC).

THE OPPORTUNITY:

Following the retirement of our highly respected Director after 38 years of dedicated leadership, our Board of Directors is seeking a collaborative and experienced leader to guide the organization into its next chapter. This is a unique opportunity to build on a strong foundation and long-standing reputation within the community, while supporting the Centre’s continued growth and evolution. The Executive Director is responsible for the overall leadership, administration, and operation of the Centre, ensuring regulatory compliance, program excellence, financial sustainability, and strong relationships with families, staff, and community partners. This role is supported by an Assistant Director who assumes day-to-day responsibility for staff and programming.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Program & Pedagogical Leadership

Focus: quality of care, curriculum excellence, child development, inclusion, best practices.

• Ensure that the programs and services reflect current best practice, are inclusive and of high quality
• Play a leadership role in the broader community supporting and advocating for pedagogical excellence
• Provide leadership when dealing with difficult situations related to child behavior and/or development issues
• Responsible for policy development according to the Child Care and Early Years Act, ELECT, How Does Learning Happen?, AQI, and Public Health Guidelines
• Ensure appropriate staffing levels, including required RECE staffing

People & Organizational Leadership

Focus: staffing, culture, HR, performance management, succession

• Motivate, mentor, and evaluate all staff
• Overall accountability for ongoing professional development
• Overall accountability for the organization’s human resources and employee relations
• Direct supervision and accountability for Assistant Director
• Coordinate recruitment and training of Board members

Governance, Compliance & Risk Management

Focus: Board relations, legal compliance, operational accountability

• Report directly to the Board of Directors
• Act as ex-officio member of the Board; prepares monthly reports and attends meetings
• Advise the Board on childcare issues affecting growth and operations
• Ensure compliance with: Child Care and Early Years Act, Toronto Public Health, Occupational Health & Safety Act, Fire Code, Employment Standards Act, Municipal and legislative requirements
• Ensure external stakeholders receive required compliance information
• Ensure protection of organizational assets

Financial Stewardship & Community Engagement

Focus: fiscal sustainability, partnerships, advocacy, reputation

• Develop financial projections and oversee annual budget
• Direct and manage financial resources
• Provide Board with monthly financial information
• Ensure financial viability of the organization
• Represent organization within the broader community

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE:

• Registered and in good standing with the College of Early Childhood Educators (CECE) (preferred)
• Minimum 5 years of senior leadership experience in a licensed childcare centre or early learning environment
• WHMIS and Health & Safety certification
• Valid Food Handler Certification (or willingness to obtain prior to employment)
• Demonstrated knowledge of: Toronto Children’s Services systems and frameworks, including AQI and CSIS, The Child Care and Early Years Act (CCEYA), CCLS, and related legislation, How Does Learning Happen? and ELECT frameworks, Occupational Health and Safety Act requirements, Toronto Public Health regulations and guidelines, Human resource management best practices, Financial administration, budgeting, payroll systems (Lillio), and online banking platforms, QuickBooks Online or similar financial management software

ADDITIONAL SKILLS & COMPETENCIES:

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field and/or Child Care Management certification considered an asset
• Demonstrated passion for early learning, child development, and supporting children and families
• Proven leadership, organizational development, and change management skills
• Strong strategic thinking, planning, and problem-solving abilities
• Experience leading and supporting large, diverse teams
• Ability to work effectively with children, families, and staff from a wide range of cultural backgrounds, family structures, and lived experiences
• Strong relationship-building and team leadership skills
• Experience working collaboratively with a volunteer Board of Directors
• Experience with financial planning, budgeting, and fiscal oversight
• Excellent administrative, communication, interpersonal, and conflict-resolution skills
• Strong computer literacy, including Microsoft Office and cloud-based systems
• Comfortable using digital communication platforms to support organizational communication and parent engagement

SALARY:

• $95,000 - $115,000 (commensurate with experience)

BENEFITS:

• Extended health, dental, life, dependent, and long-term disability insurance, Group RRSP plan and WSIB coverage
• Paid time off and professional development support (with approval of the Board)

WORK HOURS/SCHEDULE:

• Monday to Friday, in-office 5 days per week totaling 40 hrs per week
• This role requires the ability to work flexible hours (between 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.) and occasionally outside of Centre’s operational hours (i.e., attend board meetings, staff meetings, special events, professional development, on-call work, etc.)

HOW TO APPLY:

To apply, please send your resume and cover letter to msdcapply@gmail.com. We'd love to learn more about you. In your cover letter, please share why you're interested in joining Main Square Daycare Centre, what excites you about the role, and how your experience and skills would contribute to our team.

Please be prepared to provide up to three (3) work-related references who may be contacted directly. At least one of the references must be a person who has supervised you directly.

Many thanks to all who apply, however, only candidates selected for interviews will be contacted. First-round interviews will be conducted virtually, and the short-list of candidates will be invited for in-person interviews.

** MSDC is an equal opportunity employer. If you require accommodation or consideration, please notify us in advance so we may assist as needed.
** If offered the position, the successful candidate must provide up to date immunization record as per Ministry requirements, COVID-19 vaccination as per MSDC current vaccination policy, and a clear health and vulnerable sector police reference check