Join the YMCA Team in St. Thomas!

Be the Spark! Join our professional and passionate team of early childhood educators and be the spark that ignites the potential in others.

Our culture is of paramount importance to us. We formally measure employee engagement annually to ensure our employees are having an excellent employment experience. Our current level of engagement is 80%, compared to some Canadian employer statistics of 69%.

YMCA of Southwestern Ontario was founded in 1856 and has over 200 locations from Goderich to Point Pelee, and Windsor to Woodstock. We are one of the largest not-for-profit providers of licensed child care in Canada and have over 100 school age programs across our regions. We also offer settlement services to newcomers, employment programs, and youth programs. YMCA of Southwestern Ontario operates one overnight camp on Beausoleil Island in Muskoka, YMCA Camp Queen Elizabeth. We also have 13 Health & Fitness branches across Southwestern Ontario.

Why The Y?

At the Y, our people are central to delivering our mission. We are committed to the development of healthy communities and welcome people of all backgrounds, beliefs, and abilities.

We provide valuable training and development opportunities to help our team members grow professionally and personally.

We look for the following qualities in all of our employees and volunteers:

• Demonstrates our Core Values; Caring, Honesty, Respect & Responsibility and Inclusivity
• Fun, Enthusiastic & Friendly Individuals
• Hardworking and Dependable
• Positive Role Model
• Team Player
• Professionalism
• Enjoy working in a Social Environment
• Ability to effectively communicate with Employees & Members

Employees and volunteers of YMCA of Southwestern Ontario are ambassadors for the Y both on and off the job. We rely on them to help share our mission and increase awareness of the positive impact the Y can have on the lives of people in their communities. Particularly how we are helping to create healthy children, healthy families, and healthy communities.

All employees and volunteers are required to provide a current satisfactory Criminal Record and may require a Vulnerable Sector Search as a condition of their employment. Police Record checks are reviewed on an individual basis, and the offense(s) - if any - is considered in the decision-making process in relation to the requirements of the position, therefore not eliminating all candidates with a record from being offered gainful employment.

Position: Early On Child Care Educator - Canada Summer Jobs

Location: St Thomas, ON

Contract Date: July 6, 2026 - August 29,2026

Compensation:

• $18.05 per hour

Schedule:

• 35 hours per week
• Monday to Thursday 8:30am - 4:30pm,
• Friday's 8:30am - 2:00pm
• May be asked to travel within St. Thomas city limits
• May be required to work on the occasional Saturday (special events only)

As part of your total compensation:

• Receive a complimentary YMCA personal membership to our Health & Fitness facilities, and discounts on YMCA childcare and camp programs
• Access vacation entitlement in accordance with the employment standards regulations, and up to 12 paid personal days annually
• Benefits package and Pension, applicable with position/contract length
• Be part of a caring and supportive network of people to help each other succeed
• Complimentary access to wellness and counselling services
• Contribute to real, meaningful impact in the lives of children and youth

In this role, you will:

• Implement/design and deliver a play-based, inclusive learning environment (indoors/outdoors/community-based locations) for children and families for drop-in playgroups and programs.
• Provide support for all inquiries in person/phone/email/social media i
• Maintain accurate records, files, and forms as required by the Ministry of Education and the YMCA of Southwestern Ontario.
• Liaise with parents, school principal, and school staff, as well as community contacts in a professional manner at all times; engage in community events.
• All areas of the room must be child-ready during program hours – all activities are available to children during the program, and thoughtful invitations to play and learning centers are evident.
• Utilize age-appropriate child coaching, and mentoring techniques in all interactions with families.
• Strong knowledge of How Does Learning Happen? Ontario’s Pedagogy for Early Years.
• Follow the Public Health, Sanitization and disinfection procedures, Emergency and Fire Regulations/Requirements
• Ability to lift up to 60 pounds (children and/or activity equipment)
• Ensure own performance follows the policies and procedures of the YMCA of Southwestern Ontario, including Health and Safety, Child Protection and Risk Management

Qualifications:

• Age: between the age of 18 – 30 years of age at the start of the position
• Status: Canadian citizen, or permanent resident, or person on whom refugee protection has been conferred under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (Note* International students and foreign workers on temporary visas are not eligible for this program)
• Work Authorization: Have a valid Social Insurance number
• Graduates of early childhood education, must be a member of the College of Early Childhood Educators, Ontario (CECE) in good standing or provide proof of application is in process (recent graduates)
• Valid Standard First Aid and CPR Level C certification or include the date of training scheduled within the next three months. Training cost and time is at the expense of the applicant and not reimbursed
• Provide a clear. current Vulnerable Criminal Reference Check (search date is less than 6 months old)
• Up-to-date immunizations required by Public Health, Ministry of Education and YMCASWO
• Ability to use frequent light to medium physical effort: lifting to 20 kg (44 lbs.), bending, and stooping
• Legally entitled to work in Canada

We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

NOTE: The YMCA of Southwestern Ontario is committed to providing a barrier-free environment for all stakeholders including our members/participants, employees, job applicants, suppliers, and any visitors who may enter our premises, access our information, or use our services. As an organization, we respect and uphold the requirements set forth under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (2005), and its associated standards and regulations.

Candidates, please be advised that our recruitment process incorporates AI technology for initial application screening. This assists us in efficiently assessing qualifications. Rest assured, our recruiters will additionally review resumes to ensure a fair and accurate assessment is completed.