Summary
Reporting to the Childcare Program Coordinator, the Primary Care Worker is
responsible for delivering high quality licensed childcare programs for daycare and/or
afterschool care. The Primary Care Worker will be responsible for direct care of the
children in the program, ensuring safety, and implementing the planned
programming.
Outline of Duties
1. Develops and implements high-quality childcare programs using best practices
by:
- Collaborating with the Childcare Program Coordinator to develop and
implement programming that is innovative and based on industry best
practices.
- Developing and implementing child-care programs that support and promote
the physical, cognitive, emotional and social development of children.
- Leading activities by telling or reading stories, teaching songs, taking children
to local points of interest and providing opportunities to express creativity
through the media of art, dramatic play, music and physical activity.
- Planning and maintaining an environment that protects the health, security and
well-being of children.
- Assessing the abilities, interests and needs of children and discuss progress or
problems with the Childcare Program Coordinator.
- Observing children for signs of potential learning or behavioural problems and
preparing reports for parents, guardians or supervisor.
- Guiding and assisting children in the development of proper eating, dressing
and toilet habits.
- Establishing and maintaining collaborative relationships with co-workers and
community service providers working with children.
- Ensuring that the programs offer a safe environment which facilitates healthy
child development and meeting the individual and specialized needs of the
participating children.
- Providing direct supervision of children enrolled in daycare and afterschool
care programs, ensuring a safe environment which supports healthy child
development.
Primary Care Worker February ,2026 Page 2 of 5
- Tailoring program activities to meet the individual and specific developmental
needs of the children. Participating in program evaluation activities.
- Planning and organizing activities for school-age children in child-care
programs before and after regular school hours.
- Completing program reports as required by the Childcare Program
Coordinator.
- Identifying equipment and supplies to be purchased to support operations and
programs, and
- Participating in professional development to stay current in best practices in
the field.
2. Supervises and manages staff by:
- Providing direction to support staff during daily operations, including meal
preparation, cleaning and disinfecting, interaction with children and
parents/caregivers, and program implementation.
- Supervising and coordinating activities of other early childhood educators and
early childhood educator assistants.
- Supporting training and mentoring of program support staff.
- Collaborating with the Childcare Program Coordinator to ensure, on a daily
basis, that all staff are competent in meeting their duties, the policies and
procedures of the Town of Fort Smith, and any legislation impacting their
programs.
3. Manages general operations of programs by:
- Ensuring all operations meet the minimum legislated standards and requirements.
- Meeting the physical, social, and self-care needs of the children as a group and on
an individual basis.
- Completing required reports, such as Town incident reports and legislated reports
related to accidents and serious occurrences.
- Ensuring that all programs and activities are implemented according to relevant
legislation, policies and procedures; and
4. Carries out such other duties related to the position as may be assigned by the
Childcare Program Coordinator.
Supervision
The Primary Care Worker will provide daily direction and support to the Community
Services Assistants assigned to daycare and afterschool care programs.
Responsibilities
1. The Primary Care Worker is responsible for:
- The development, implementation, and evaluation of a high-quality, innovative
program based on best practices.
- The appropriate use of the Town’s property and equipment outlined in Town
of Fort Smith Policies and Procedures.
2. Decisions made by the incumbent can and will affect the delivery of such services by the Town. Errors in judgment may jeopardize the health and safety of the Primary Care Worker February ,2026 Page 3 of 5
community and result in serious problems of a current and/or long-term nature for
the Town and its elected officials.
Work Environment
Childcare work is a physically demanding job. Though there are laws and regulations
on how many children of a certain age can be supervised by one person, the job still
requires a large amount of energy and attention to detail.
Childcare workers are exposed to loud noise and conflicting demands for your
attention on a daily basis that will require patience and understanding.
Childcare workers may encounter challenging interpersonal situations with both
parents and children. It may be your responsibility to converse with the parent and
find a way to make both parent and child happy. Staying calm, listening to the parent
or child's issue, and offering potential solutions may be required.
When working in childcare, you will be exposed to illnesses more frequently than you
would in other types of work. Keeping the Centre clean and sanitized is the
responsibility of all childcare providers.
The daily activities with the children will require being outdoors where you may be
exposed to cold weather during the winter months and hot temperatures and
exposure to insects in the summer months.
Shift work is required.
Knowledge, Education and Experience
This position requires:
- Post-secondary qualification in Early Childhood Education or teacher education
from an accredited institution.
- A combination of post-secondary education and 3 or more years of relevant
experience may be considered as an equivalency.
- Current First Aid/AED certification for infants and children.
- Minimum of 19 years of age.
- Experience in a group childcare environment or equivalent.
- Basic computer knowledge and skills including the ability to use word
processing and basic spreadsheets.
- Satisfactory criminal record check with Vulnerable Sector check.
- Valid NWT class 5 driver’s license.
- Knowledge of the legislation and Town policies, procedures and by-laws impacting this job.
Skills
- Learning and Teaching Strategies
- Social Perceptiveness
- Coordinating
- Monitoring
- Time Management
- Writing
- Oral Communication: Active Listening
- Oral Communication: Oral Comprehension
- Oral Communication: Oral Expression
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $73,978.45-$84,917.18 per year
Work Location: In person
