Casual Strong Start Facilitator

$29.56/hour Mission Public Schools is dedicated to providing our students with an educational environment that nurtures the development of an Educated Citizen. Located in the beautiful Fraser Valley, Mission is a vibrant and diverse community with over 6200 students and 850 employees. We are committed to providing a safe, equitable, and inclusive educational system for all students in our thirteen urban and rural elementary schools, two middle schools, one secondary school, distributed learning centre, alternative learning centre, and vocational and technical college. Summary

Under the supervision of the Assistant Superintendent and the District Principal of Early Learning the StrongStart Facilitator delivers the StrongStart BC Early Learning Centre drop-in program for parents/caregivers with preschool aged children (0-5 years) at the assigned site(s), with support from the Coordinator.

The StrongStart facilitator operates a participatory program that promotes and supports the holistic development of children in the years before school entry. Their work is guided by the principles outlined in the Early Learning Framework. The job requires adapting established methods or procedures. Work involves a choice of methods or procedures. Parents and/or caregivers will be supported to participate alongside their children using interactive activities that concentrate on key aspects of early childhood development in a play-based setting.Duties include, but are not limited to: Ensure that the programs and activities are developed and maintained in accordance with the Strong Start BC guidelines and The Early Learning Framework.

Ensure Indigenous culture, worldviews, and perspectives are visible and embedded into the StrongStart Centre, in the learning experiences and in the physical space.

Create a family-friendly environment that provides safety and security for children and their parents or caregivers.

Maintain a well-organized centre, with age-appropriate hands-on learning materials and resources that are aligned with the Early Learning Framework.

Promote oral language skills, social emotional learning, and emergent literacy and numeracy strategies.

Provide a daily nutritional program that encourages healthy eating and introduces children and families to a diverse range of affordable food options.

Orient children and families to the school community and the school context, and work with district and school personnel to ensure a smooth transition into the school system.

Provide education and support for parent/caregivers such as child health, learning stages, nutrition, and discipline strategies that support their childs social and emotional learning and development.

Work with families, school staff, and community resources to facilitate the inclusion of children with diverse needs and their caregivers.

Help parents and caregivers to reflect on their childs current learning and development.

Keep current on early learning and child-care issues including participating in training and district organized professional development opportunities.

Maintain a working knowledge of community services, resources and supports for children and their families and facilitate referrals/linkages for families where necessary.

Plan and facilitate special events/information sessions at your StrongStart centre to support family learning.

Maintain daily attendance records

Attend, as required, meetings that pertain to StrongStart BC.

Maintain confidentiality of sensitive information.

Perform other related duties as may reasonably be expected of a person in this position

Required Qualifications Grade 12 graduation

Certificate in Early Childhood Education from a recognized post-secondary institution

Valid Community Care Facilities Branch BC License to Practice (maintain current licenses and certifications to practice)

Current Child Safe First Aid certificate

Food Safe Certificate

Required Experience Two (2) years recent relevant experience including working with diverse ethnic populations

Required Skills and Abilities Good organizational and planning skills and

Ability to communicate effectively and demonstrate good public relations skills

Understanding and knowledge of child development, family dynamics, community resources and early learning

Ability to work positively and effectively with a variety of parents/caregivers, children, volunteers, personnel, professionals, community members, and the general public

Ability to work proactively and in a self-directed manner to foster an atmosphere of trust and respect, to promote awareness of early learning issues and to promote and market the StrongStart program as required

Knowledge of applicable district and local policies, regulations, and practices which govern activities

Such other qualifications, skills and abilities as may be required to meet Ministry requirements or the terms of the StrongStart contract

Ability to be flexible and work with minimal supervision

NOTE: a CLEAR Criminal Record Review to be provided, and updated every five (5) years