childcare provider

early childhood teacher

school program staff

preschool teacher

youth worker

YMCA of Oakville

I spent four months working at the YMCA and I enjoyed how much experience I got from the job, the kids are especially great to interact with.  I learned all about their likes and dislikes and how to make the most out of my interactions with them to help them learn and grow.

However that's where the positivity of this company ends.  The workplace relationship and environment between upper management and the average employee is simply toxic.  Every day my supervisor always made it their job to find something to get mad at me about, whether it was how I served food, how I interacted with children or if I should "just get over" my feelings whenever something happened in my life.  They couldn't let a day go by without belittling me or telling me how stupid I was.  Yes.  They said that.  And the best part was that they did not treat anyone else like they treated me, which means favouritism.

Do not get me started with the salary.  Minimum wage is just too small of a salary, especially when you only work four hours for an afternoon shift and almost two hours for a morning shift and putting up with toxicity every day.  There is no practical way you can twist anybody's arm for more hours or better pay.  The pay is not worth it, any way you slice it.

Lastly, shortly before I quit, they had the audacity to post a job posting for my exact position for more money an hour than I was ever paid per hour.  Salt on the wound, if you ask me.

To put it simply, it was not fun to stay at the YMCA.

I have been working at the YMCA of Oakville for some time now, and it has been an incredibly positive experience overall. One of the standout aspects of this organization is the amazing supervisors who are always there to support and guide the team. They genuinely care about our professional development and well-being, which creates a motivating work environment.

The group of directors here is also very welcoming and approachable. They make an effort to connect with everyone and ensure that our voices are heard. This open communication fosters a sense of belonging and collaboration within the team.

The general managers are incredibly supportive as well. They go out of their way to ensure that the staff is happy and satisfied. One thing I appreciate is how they consistently research competitive companies to ensure that we are offered a competitive pay rate for a non-profit organization. While pay is always a consideration, just like in any workplace, they strive to provide the highest possible hourly rate, which reflects their commitment to valuing their employees.

Like any workplace, effort and loyalty are recognized and appreciated here. If you show dedication and contribute positively to the team, it doesn’t go unnoticed. 

Overall,  YMCA of Oakville, is a place where you feel valued and supported, thanks to the efforts of supervisors, directors, and general managers who truly care about their staff

I have worked at multiple YMCA organizations in childcare across the province. I struggled to feel supported in my position and began to become depressed. I hated my job and never felt like I was appreciated by management or co workers. I was way overworked and VERY under paid. My job became a pay check and that's it. 
That ALL changed when i started at the Oakville YMCA. I have finally found my place. My team is just that, a team! I find myself coming into work even if im not feeling well, just to be around my team. I have so much fun and never laugh as hard as I do when im working with my team. We all encourage each other, support each other and honestly like and care for each other. I finally feel appreciated for all of my hard work, the appreciation I feel is felt on a daily basis. The pay is amazing but to be honest I would do this job for nothing! The management support system is the most supportive structure that i feel all other YMCA's should adopt. There are so many supports in place to make sure that all staff feel supported and feel valued, i have not had this anywhere else. Everyone is in it together. 
I LOVE my job!!!!!!!!!!!!! I hope to be lucky enough to work here until retirement...and that is MANY MANY years away!

"I've had the pleasure of working at YMCA OF OAKVILLE and can honestly say it's been an incredibly rewarding experience. The management team is supportive, understanding, and truly values their staff members. They prioritize our professional growth and well-being, offering regular training and opportunities for advancement.

The work environment is warm, inclusive, and fun! I love coming to work every day knowing I'll be surrounded by colleagues who share my passion for early childhood education. Together, we create a nurturing and engaging atmosphere for our children to learn and grow.

What sets YMCA OF OAKVILLE apart is their commitment to quality care and education. They provide us with the resources and autonomy to design engaging lesson plans, build strong relationships with families, and make a real difference in the lives of our children.

If you're looking for a workplace that feels like a second family, look no further! I'm so grateful to be part of the YMCA OF AOKVILLE team and can't recommend it enough to fellow educators and caregivers."



What is the best part of working at the company?
Very knowledgeable supervisors and staff, that’s what make my first experience working in Canada very special and inspiring 

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
In my personal experience it was the language as English is my second language especially writing 

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
It’s a very welcoming place to work in as your cultural background is a place to show your colleagues your culture and learn about other cultures as part of diversity in Canada 

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
As a before and after school supply it’s all about welcoming kids in the morning by giving them a positive start of the day , and ending their day by helping them get ready to go home and be ready the next day with new ideas and plans for the program

Working for the YMCA was truly an experience. I have worked for both Oakville and Burlington YMCA. Learning about children development and how to communicate and structure a specific program for their needs has been overall fulfilling.

I have worked specifically one on one with special needs children. I had a child with Autism and was their care giver aside from the YMCA. I knew the childs specific needs and where generally the child was on the spectrum. Not only did I learn through my personal experience, but also Halton provided work-shops related to the topics a childcare worker can use to better themselves.

I will take my experience along with me in this journey of life.

The YMCA of Oakville is a great place to be a lifeguard. Depending which shift you work, the job can be fast paced (weekends) or very slow (weekday mornings). 
Management is easy going as long as you complete the tasks of your job , e.g showing up on time and in uniform, being attentive while watching the pool, showing interest and enthusiasm while teaching your classes.
A typical shift for most lifeguards is working a 3-4 hour shift. Guarding the pools for 30 minutes and having 15 minutes to rest your eyes. You will be asked to clean or do other short tasks during those 15 minutes. A typical shift for a swim instructor is working for  3.5 hours teaching classes for 30 minutes at a time and having 15 minutes rest in between classes.

The job security in this place is great, benefits are great, and the pay is good.

Team leadership is terrible. All three age group coordinators are very tight with each other and exclude others. The pre-school coordinator has poor attitude and often if she is having a bad day she has no problem expressing it to other employees, she is discouraging and difficult to work with. 

A plus for them is that they do care about the children however, as staff, they choose who to like and who not to like, the atmosphere is super toxic to work in and quite frankly, their leadership could use a refresher on positive leading. Lots if gossip in this work place about other employees and the parents!

Working at the YMCA of Oakville's child care team was a unique experiment. I was told that the most important thing was child safety and to have fun working with the children. As I started to work there, it became clear that the "fun" atmosphere was mostly very authoritative with some co-workers of mine. They get fed-up easily and would force the children to act a certain way. The methods and practices used in practice are outdated for what children want to do in this day and age. The job is meant to be more laid back but the team I worked with made it more stressful then it is.

Top Job Titles	Average salary
Childcare provider 2 salaries reported	$24.35 per hour
Early childhood teacher 2 salaries reported	$25.76 per hour
School program staff 4 salaries reported	$19.42 per hour
Preschool teacher 2 salaries reported	$22.43 per hour
Youth worker 1 salary reported	$21.93 per hour

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