Specialist, Early Years

**Join our diverse team and be part of our vision. Think big. Channel your creativity. Make a difference.
At Peel Region, we can create lasting impact, together.**

Specialist, Early Years

Human Services – Early Years and Child Care Services

Status: 1 Contract Full Time (13 Months) 

Salary Range: $79,977.60 – $99,972.00 per annum (plus comprehensive benefits, where applicable) 

Hiring Range: $79,977.60 – $89,974.80 per annum

Work Mode: Hybrid *see below for more details about this work mode.

Location: 10 Peel Centre Drive, Brampton, Ontario

Hours of Work: 35 hours per week

Who we are:

The Early Years and Child Care Services Division is responsible for the local planning, funding and oversight of licensed child care services and EarlyON programs in Peel. Through collaboration and advocacy efforts with internal and external partners, we work together to achieve our goals.

As a Specialist within the Early Years and Child Care Division, you will serve as the primary point of contact for child care service providers, offering guidance to strengthen their overall economic sustainability. Your support will cover areas such as governance, staffing, marketing, enrollment, funding, financial literacy, business management, quality programming, and compliance with provincial safety standards. You will also help programs navigate ongoing compliance with municipal funding guidelines, reporting requirements, provincial regulations, contractual obligations, and sector best practices.

What you will do in this role: 

• Supports the onboarding of potential and new early years and child care programs with funding application process, agreements, supports and resources
• Conducts needs analyses for childcare programs, in order to determine compliance, identify deficiencies, develop reports and provide appropriate support and/or make referrals
• Determines if existing business practices and programs are in place to support economic viability, etc
• Escalates decisions/actions outside of established best practices and processes to internal stakeholders, with a supporting recommendation to the supervisor, if required
• Reviews documentation, analyzes information and develops conclusions and recommendations
• Negotiates resolution of contentious issues with programs, staff and families
• Reports non-compliance as required to municipal and provincial oversight
• Supports and follows up with early years and child care programs on funding applications, submissions, accountability framework and contractual obligations
• Supports child care programs during closures, sales and asset transfers
• Develops and maintains strong collaborative and strategic relationships with internal and external partners as required
• Recommends and follows up on courses of action with early years and childcare programs when deficiencies are determined

What the role requires:

• Diploma/Degree in Early Childhood Education, or combination of education and experience may be considered
• Registered Early Childhood Educator and current member in good standing with the College of ECE is a preferred asset
• 3-5 years' experience managing or overseeing a child care program
• Advanced understanding of the legislative environment affecting early years and childcare programs, at both the municipal and provincial levels
• Expert understanding of early learning and child care, including best practices
• Knowledge of best practices for not for profit and commercially operated child care centres
• Knowledge of related provincial and local regulations and licensing requirements
• Ability to determine and assess various needs and refer/link to appropriate supports and resources
• Advanced knowledge of validated quality assurance assessment tools for child care
• Extensive knowledge of client databases, such as OCCMS, is an asset
• Ability to travel with access to reliable transportation

Skills/Abilities: 

• Strong analytical, decision making and problem solving skills
• Strategic critical thinking and decision making skills
• Strong coaching, consultation and facilitation skills
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint)
• Presentation and Facilitation skills
• Strong written skills
• Demonstrate a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion through continuous development, modeling inclusive behaviors, and proactively managing bias

Perks @ Peel and why you will love working for us:

• Comprehensive Health, Dental, Vision benefit plan including psychological health, effective start date (where applicable)
• Automatic enrolment into OMERS pension plan (where applicable) 
• Accrue Vacation on a monthly basis (where applicable) starting at 3 weeks per annum 
• 3 Paid personal days and floating holidays
• Flexible hours supporting your wellness and wellbeing
• Annual performance review and merit increases based on performance (where applicable) 
• Supportive leadership and a culture of respect and inclusion 
• Access to tuition reimbursement (where applicable) and learning and development resources 

Be bold. Think big. Join us.

Work Mode & Job Location:

In this role, you’ll benefit from the flexibility of a hybrid work arrangement that prioritizes meaningful in-person connection. A minimum of two days per week on-site is expected, with additional in-person presence as operational needs evolve. This arrangement allows for a blend of in person and hybrid work that adapts to support both organizational priorities and employee flexibility and is subject to change over time.

It's important to note that your off-site work location must be within the province of Ontario. This ensures that we're compliant with all regulations and policies.

The Region of Peel offers job based flexible hours of work that allows employees to manage personal and professional responsibilities while at the same time ensures business operational needs and customer service expectations are achieved. 

Interview: Our recruitment process will include video conference technology

Kindly ensure to regularly monitor your spam and junk email folders, as important communications regarding your application may be directed there.

If this opportunity matches your qualifications and experience, please apply on-line.

Peel Region consists of the cities of Brampton and Mississauga, and the town of Caledon.  Peel Region delivers essential services to more than 1.5 million residents and approximately 200,000 businesses.

We’re working to create a community that is safe, inclusive, and accessible.  A place where everyone feels they belong and can access the services they need to thrive throughout each stage of life.

Our workforce is 6,700 strong and since 1974, we’ve been delivering a wide range of resident focused services. Our services include paramedic services, health programs, long-term care and services for seniors, child care support, garbage collection and recycling, waste water and water treatment, road maintenance, financial assistance, and housing support. 

Recognized by Canada's Healthy Workplace Month® with the Great Employer Award presented by Excellence Canada, Peel Region is a place where everyone feels they belong. We strive to develop a workplace that values and respects diversity, practices inclusion, recognizes the unique contributions and abilities of all people and facilitates innovative thinking. At Peel Region, people come first. Each employee has an important role within our community and when we work together, it’s impactful. We encourage you to join us in delivering essential services and programs to our diverse community. You won't find a better opportunity than Peel Region.

Peel Region is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone is respected and valued for their contributions, and where everyone is treated fairly and has opportunity to grow and develop. As one of the most diverse regions in Canada, we are committed to establishing a qualified workforce that is reflective of the population we serve.

Peel Region is committed to providing accommodations throughout the recruitment process, upon request. If you require accommodation, please notify us and we will work with you to meet your needs. Accessible formats and communication supports are available. Please contact zzg-hrtalentacquisition@peelregion.ca 

Please be advised, Peel Region uses email to communicate with applicants for open job competitions and does not use AI technology in any part of the recruitment process. It is the applicant’s responsibility to include an updated email address that is checked daily and accepts emails from unknown users. As we send time sensitive correspondence via email (i.e., testing bookings, interview dates), it is imperative that applicants check their email regularly. If we do not hear back from applicants, we will assume that you are no longer interested in the position and your application will be removed from the competition.