Daycare Team Lead

Employer: Family and Children’s Services Niagara

Posting Date: August 28, 2026

Closing Date: September 25, 2026 at 4:30 p.m.

Location: St. Catharines

Type: Regular Full Time

Posting Location: External – N67/26

WHO WE ARE:

Family and Children’s Services has been making a positive difference in the lives of children, youth, and families in Niagara for more than a century. As a multiservice agency providing child welfare services, fostering and adoption, counselling, and childcare, the team at FACS Niagara works to keep children safe and families strong.

POSITION SUMMARY:

Reporting to the Manager of Early Childhood Learning, the Daycare Team Lead oversees the day-to-day aspects of the childcare program ensuring compliance with the provisions and regulations of the Child Care and Early Years Act, Occupational Health and Safety Act and additionally promotes an inclusive learning environment that is designed to meet each child’s individual needs and development levels.

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Program Delivery and Oversight:

• Provides oversight and delivery of an effective daycare program in designated communities.
• Ensures all models of care, policies, programs, and procedures are implemented in accordance with relevant legislation and agency policy and procedures.
• Assists with programming for individual children, especially in terms of facilitating coordination of efforts in the home and the classroom with other involved agencies.
• Supports families and child care programs in the referral of children to appropriate agencies for further follow-up and diagnostic assessment.
• Prepares a CARE plan for school-aged children that complements the Individual Education Plan (IEP) that is developed at school to promote consistency of programming application across environments; consults with program staff to implement the CARE plan; collaborates with school board personnel to adapt and update as needed.
• Arranges and chairs a variety of meetings such as case conferences and Transition to School meetings including inviting participants, preparing agendas and reports, recording minutes and follow up.
• Serves as the liaison between the parents and various facets of the program.
• Participates in fundraising activities for special needs of the program.
• Oversees all scheduling of child care staff ensuring adequate day-to-day coverage for the provision of necessary services.
• Provides input into possible improvements to programs and services.
• Directs the effective use of volunteers and student placements within the program, ensures appropriate individuals are selected, reviews volunteer activities and works with Volunteer Services to solve problems.
• Plan and implement developmentally appropriate educational programs for children including:
  • arranging equipment for various indoor and outdoor activities.
  • cleaning toys, equipment and cupboards as required.
  • assisting in moving and storing equipment according to the requirements of the location.
  • preparing and attending parent/teacher activities.
• Maintain a safe, nurturing environment (in all areas of the program) that is conducive to child development: playroom, washroom, cloakroom, lunchroom and sleep room.
• Carry out daily routines such as:
  • toileting, preparing and serving snacks and lunches for all children.
  • directing children to assist in maintaining the general tidiness of the playroom.
  • Record keeping including daily attendance and health incident forms for children in his/her care as needed.
• Screen all children using the Diagnostic Preschool Screen to assist in identifying children with special needs.
• Recognize unusual behaviour in children and anticipate problem situations in order to take preventative or remedial action. This involves using the Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale (Preschool and/or Toddler), Speech and Language Checklist and Behaviour Checklist. Up to date practices with QCCN
• Report suspicion of child abuse to the FACS Niagara’s Child Welfare service.
• Ensure adequate sanitary and housekeeping standards are maintained including:
  • vacuuming.
  • loading or unloading the dishwasher.
  • other housekeeping duties as needed.
  • complete visual health and safety inspections on a regular basis.
• Perform office duties such as answering the phones and checking the daily log, to ensure high quality of service for families. Document messages and record parent’s inquiries.
• Remain available after 6:00 p.m. if a parent fails to pick up a child by closing time to provide guidance to onsite staff.

Supervision/Leadership:

• In consultation with the Manager of Early Childhood Learning, manages recruitment, coaching, discipline and termination where necessary ensuring accordance to Human Resources policy and within the context of the collective agreement.
• Provides feedback to the Manager of Early Childhood Learning for the performance evaluation of all Daycare staff, students and volunteers.
• Oversees staff orientation, learning and development plans and ensures accordance to FACS policy, procedure and guidelines.
• Oversees the effective and efficient distribution and utilization of team staff members based on the established productivity levels, program goals and guidelines that ensure continuity in the provision of necessary services and sufficient staff coverage.
• Provides supervision to all team members and manages in a manner that motivates, guides and directs employees in FACS values, objectives and performance expectations; maintains a work environment that expects fairness, consistency, respect and approachability while promoting staff participation, teamwork and positive employee relations.
• Leads regular team meetings to set goals and monitor team performance and engages the team in successful accomplishment of goals.
• Holds people accountable to standards of performance including conducting annual performance appraisals that support staff in establishing and attaining performance goals.
• Works in and ensures that staff work in a manner consistent with the requirements/regulations of the Occupational Health and Safety Act, and FACS policy and procedures.
• Manages attendance according to policy.
• Exemplifies and inspires behaviours, actions and attitudes that are consistent with FACS vision, mission, values and Code of Ethics.
• As a member of the Management Team, participates in the development and successful implementation of the Strategic Plan.
• Provides leadership for the operational success of the child care program.
• Provides advice on child care program issues and challenges to both senior management and/or FACS employees.
• Articulates and constantly monitors the efficiency and effectiveness of the child care staff to ensure the highest level of service is being provided.
• Reviews, assesses and/or has input into policy and programs that best meet the needs of the department.
• Provides leadership to designated work groups, programs and/or committees.
• Represents FACS Early Child Development programs and joint CAS/community committees; participates on committees as required.
  

Other Related Activities:

• Monitors and approves selected expenditures and contributes to cost containment in areas of authority and responsibility for the daycare program; has input into budget development.
• Ensures own and department staff expenditures adhere to FACS policies.
• Maintains accurate records, files and forms as required for the Ministry, Board of Education and FACS.
• Orders office and program supplies and materials as needed and oversees the entire inventory of all program equipment.
• Ensures timely collection of daycare fees as required.
• Strives to meet or exceed all accountabilities and achieve continuous quality improvement and excellence in all activities and outcomes.
• Participates in mandatory learning/education to maintain and update skills and knowledge as required.
• Assists in the training and orientation of peers.
• Performs other duties as required.
  

Qualifications:

• Diploma in Early Childhood Education or equivalent.
• Valid registration with the College of Early Childhood Educators.
• Resource Teacher Diploma/Certificate or equivalent.
• Minimum 5 years experience working in a licensed Day Nursery approved by the Ministry.
• 2 years experience in a lead/supervisory role preferred.
• Excellent knowledge of early childhood development and skill in developing age appropriate quality early learning activities and programs for children ages 18 months to 12 years of age.
• Excellent knowledge of behavioural and developmental assessment tools and the early identification and referral process.
• Excellent knowledge of legislation, regulations and standards governing day cares, including Child Care and Early Years Act, and the Occupational Health and Safety Act.
• Valid standard First Aid Certificate and CPR Certificate.
• Valid G Driver’s License and access to a reliable motor vehicle with appropriate liability insurance is required.
  

General Skills and Attributes:

• Good ability to use MS Office applications (e.g. Word, Excel, etc.).
• Knowledge of effective planning, research, policy processes and evaluation techniques.
• Ability to think analytically with attention to detail in the presence of frequent interruptions.
• Excellent planning, time-management, multi-tasking and organizational skills.
• Excellent written, oral communication and interpersonal skills providing constructive, meaningful and timely interaction with all levels of staff.
• Excellent mentoring, coaching and communication skills to provide instructions and guidance to staff with respect to activities, challenges and questions.
• Excellent change management skills to achieve objectives.
• Excellent understanding and commitment to quality service and best practice.
• Detail-oriented.
• Ability to deal with sensitive and personal information in a confidential manner; acts with integrity and trustworthiness.
• Ability to work with and meet timelines.
• Ability to communicate in French or another language an asset.

Efforts and Working Conditions:

• Intermediate periods of sitting and computer/phone use.
• Multi-tasks in a demanding environment.
• Occasional periods of data analysis and proofing of records required
• Frequent interruptions.
• Absorbs and interprets information from multiple parties on a regular basis.
• Required to listen to multiple points of view being discussed/presented.
• Occasional travel to FACS sites or within the region.
• Occasional travel outside the region may be required.
• May be exposed to potentially hazardous environments including inclement weather during outdoor playground activities; child illnesses, noises, bodily wastes and fluids, chemical/cleaning substances; hostility from children experiencing behavior management difficulties that may bite, scratch, spit and/or kick.
• Occasional lifting of up to 65lbs (children).

Please apply with your cover letter and resume by September 25, 2026, at 4:30 p.m., to humanresources@facsniagara.on.ca

We thank all applicants however only those considered for an interview will be contacted. Please only apply for this position if you plan on accepting upon an offer. If you are the successful candidate, you must indicate your acceptance when the position is offered. Applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis throughout the posting period. Early submission is recommended. We thank all applicants for their interest; please note that only those who are under consideration will be contacted.

This job posting is to fill a vacancy in the daycare centres.

Family and Children’s Services Niagara is an equal opportunity employer committed to inclusive barrier free recruitment and selection processes and work environments. We will accommodate the needs of applicants under the Ontario Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) throughout all stages of the recruitment and selection process. Please advise the Human Resources Department to ensure your accessibility needs are accommodated through this process.

About Family and Children's Services Niagara:

A lot has changed in our community and our world since the founding of Family and Children’s Services Niagara in 1898, but our organization’s commitment to safe kids and strong families holds true. We are a multiservice agency that exists to help our community thrive. Through an extensive portfolio of programming, including child welfare services, fostering and adoption, counselling, and childcare, FACS Niagara protects our community’s children, strengthens its families, and helps youth and adults achieve their full potential. FACS Niagara is an excellent option for community-minded individuals to build rewarding careers. In 2025, the agency was recognized as one of Hamilton-Niagara’s Top Employers.