Job Title: Respite Care Worker
Department: Children and Family Services
Program: Shelter Respite and Leaping Lizards After School Program
Status and Hours: Regular Part-Time, 21 hrs/wk (with opportunity for occasional additional hours)
Pay scale: $26.015/hr to $30.605/hr
Reports to: Team Lead, Family Support Programs, Respite, & Leaping Lizards
Deadline: Until Filled
This position is an existing vacancy.
Benefits include:
- 4 weeks vacation plus other leave entitlements
- Extended Group Health benefits
- Flexible Health & Wellness Spending Account
- HOOPP
Who are we?
Pinecrest-Queensway Community Health Centre is an innovative, community-based, multi-service centre. We strive to meet the needs of the diverse communities we serve. We work in partnership with individuals, families, and communities to achieve their full potential, paying particular attention to those who face barriers to care due to race, gender, income and/or ability. PQCHC is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity in its workforce. If at any stage in the selection process, you require accommodation due to a disability, please let us know the nature of the required accommodation.
Job Summary
The Respite Care Worker is responsible for the coordination and delivery of high-quality respite care and afterschool programs tailored to the needs of infants, toddlers, preschoolers and school-age children living in transitional family housing. The Respite Care Worker delivers programming that is responsive, inclusive, and grounded in How Does Learning Happen? Ontario’s Pedagogy for the Early Years and supports children’s development, well-being, and sense of belonging, while fostering collaborative relationships with families and community partners.
Job Specific Responsibilities:
Direct Client Service
- Deliver learning experiences aligned with early childhood best practices.
- Support children’s sense of belonging, engagement, well-being, and expression through daily routines and play.
- Promote mental health by helping children form secure relationships, develop emotional literacy, and build self-regulation skills.
- Encourage independence, decision-making, and problem-solving through exploration and self-expression.
- Conduct observations and assessments to monitor children’s development and adapt programming accordingly
- Supervise and guide groups of up to 16 children with team members to provide enriching learning experiences and interactions while ensuring and maintaining safety
- Provide information and referrals to community services to meet family needs.
- Integrate health promotion into activities, including healthy eating, physical activity, and mental wellness.
- During the registration process, identify potential health and safety risks for children (e.g., asthma, food allergies, medical conditions) and develop and implement individualized plans to ensure each child’s well-being and safety.
- Build consistent communication channels with parents and caregivers to share updates and support family engagement.
- Conduct outreach to families experiencing isolation to promote access to respite and early childhood supports
- Establish and maintain relationships and collaborations with community partners
- Create inclusive and culturally responsive environments where all children and families feel respected and valued.
Administration
- Maintain accurate, confidential client records (electronic and paper) in compliance with privacy legislation.
- Coordinate daily program logistics, schedules, and communication to ensure smooth operations.
- Input and manage program data, generate reports, and support data analysis to inform planning.
- Prepare and maintain program materials such as flyers, brochures, and documentation for outreach.
- Stay current on early childhood research, trends, and pedagogical approaches.
- Participate in ongoing professional development, reflective practice, and interdisciplinary collaboration.
- Monitor environments for health and safety hazards; document and report accidents, illnesses, and serious occurrences as required.
Human Resources
- Support volunteers and placement students through orientation, supervision, and mentorship.
- Participate in onboarding and training of new staff members.
- Annually review operational guidelines, policies, and legislative requirements, contributing recommendations for updates.
Teamwork and Collaboration
- Collaborate effectively with internal teams and co-located organizations, adhering to policies and protocols.
- Participate in team meetings, program evaluations, and service improvement initiatives.
- Share responsibility for maintaining program environments, including sanitizing, setup, and cleanup duties.
- Communicate effectively with stakeholders to ensure coordinated, high-quality service delivery.
- Contribute to team culture of reflection, learning, and open communication.
Standard Employee Responsibilities
- Work in ways that uphold confidentiality, minimize risk, and comply with Centre policies.
- Support the Centre’s data collection, research, and reporting processes.
- Maintain professional competence and required credentials.
- Contribute to hiring, orientation, and training of staff and students.
- Support interdisciplinary teamwork and health promotion practices that address social determinants of health.
- Value diversity and inclusivity across all aspects of service delivery.
- Participate in Centre events, development initiatives, and community engagement activities.
Occupational Health and Safety
- Work in compliance with legislative and Centre health and safety requirements.
- Participate in mandatory safety training, including Standard First Aid/CPR, WHMIS, Workplace Violence Prevention, Accessibility, Safe Food Handling, and Safe Management.
- Use personal protective equipment (PPE) when required.
Qualifications:
Education
- Diploma in Early Childhood Education or Degree in Bachelor of Early Learning and Community Development or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Experience
- Experience in child-focused environments and program planning aligned with How Does Learning Happen?
- Knowledge of child development, emergent curriculum, and inclusive early learning practices.
- Experience supporting families from diverse backgrounds, including those in urban core and transitional settings.
- Experience working in an afterschool programs
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Publisher, Access, Outlook) and relevant databases.
Key Competencies
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills with both children and adults.
- Demonstrated teamwork, collaboration, and reflective practice.
- Resilience and emotional stamina in working with children and families in complex situations.
- Diplomacy, confidentiality, and sound judgment.
- Initiative and adaptability in dynamic environments.
Other Requirements
- Negative Vulnerable Sector Police Record Check (current within six months; renewed every three years).
- Standard First Aid/CPR
- Ability to lift, move, or carry up to 24 kg (44 lbs), with or without reasonable accommodation, and perform physically demanding tasks such as standing for extended periods, bending, reaching, climbing and repetitive motions which may be required based on program responsibilities.
- Willingness to work outdoors year-round in varying weather conditions.
Linguistic Profile
- French oral expression, comprehension, and reading at Level C- (minimum).
- Other languages an asset.
