Director (Fall River YMCA Early Learning Childcare Centre)

Title: Director, Fall River YMCA Early Learning Childcare Centre

Location: 3060 Highway #2, Fall River, NS

Program: Fall River YMCA Early Learning Childcare Centre

Position Status: Full-Time

Compensation: $32.47 - $37.86 per hour

There is potential inside all of us – we all have it in us to shine.

Every charity exists to help solve a problem – our charity exists to help solve many problems, from childcare shortages, social isolation, mental health issues, access to wellness, and more. Today, our network is spread across 100+ program locations in HRM and the province, meeting the most urgent needs of our communities in mental health supports, accessible childcare, supporting an increasing immigrant population, safe spaces for youth to grow and lead, helping to navigate a precarious labour market, delivering wellness programming for all, and creating community for isolated older adults. 

We give people the tools, encouragement, and safe space to discover their inner strength. When they know someone’s in their corner, with unconditional support, they realize they can do more than they thought possible. It’s your support, expertise, and guidance that helps people ignite their full potential and shape our neighbourhoods into vibrant and healthy communities.  

With us at their side, they can Shine On. 

As part of your total compensation: 

• Receive a complimentary YMCA membership to our Health & Fitness facilities
• Access to Y at Home, where you can participate in fitness programs from your own home
• 3 weeks’ vacation entitlement and paid wellness days 
• Comprehensive benefits package and pension 
• Complimentary wellbeing and counselling services

About the role:

Reporting to the General Manager of Child Engagement and Operations, the Director will lead the daily operations of Fall River YMCA Early Learning Childcare Centre. This role requires a dynamic and positive leader who is committed to fostering a safe, caring, and collaborative environment while empowering a diverse team of over 20 staff.

The Director will ensure compliance with the YMCA Playing to Learn curriculum, adhere to Education & Early Childhood Development Regulations, and uphold National YMCA Child Safeguarding Standards. Additionally, the ideal candidate will be a strategic and visionary leader focused on identifying growth opportunities, enhancing program quality, and promoting community engagement.

Responsibilities include:

• Monitor and assess the implementation of the YMCA Playing to Learn curriculum while empowering each team member in creating an environment that is child directed, adult supported.
• Ensures correspondence with provincial licensing authorities, ensuring compliance with documentation for licensing inspections, and supporting staff in adhering to licensing regulations.
• Complete administration responsibilities including subsidy claims, enrollment accountability, staff shift scheduling, waitlists, policy and procedure updates, grant and funding applications, and program documentation.
• Consistently embody the YMCA’s values and purpose while adhering to all YMCA policies, procedures, best practices, health and safety requirements and child safeguarding standards.
• Achieve registration targets by optimizing room capacities through parent tours and effectively managing waitlists.
• Cultivate relationships within the team by creating an environment of collaboration, open communication, valuing opinions and ideas, and supporting the team for success. 
• Coordinate and problem solve staff coverage due to wellness days and vacation days.
• Address concerns raised by parents and staff in a timely manner, while role modelling and coaching team members on difficult situations.
• Develop, coach, and implement training plans for new and existing team members and leadership staff, including opportunities for professional development.
• Ownership of the Centre budget, including monitoring of revenue, expenditures, funding requirements and financial submissions.
• Participate in program delivery (in ratio) as needed to maintain appropriate staff-to-child ratios.
• Conduct annual staff performance reviews 
• Chair, plan and actively participate in parent committee meetings.
• Organize community events while embedding philanthropic initiatives
• Work in support of the General Manager on expansion of childcare opportunities within Halifax Regional Municipality.
• Collaborate and support other YMCA Childcare Centres in staff coverage, quality audits and process/policy creation and implementation.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Education and skills qualifications: 

• 3-5 years of leadership experience 
• Certified as an Early Childhood Educator ranging from Level 2 – 3
• Clear Child Abuse Register Check
• Current and satisfactory Background Check (must be dated less than 6 months from hire date)
• Completion of YMCA’s Child Safeguarding Training 
• Valid First Aid and CPR certificate
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Strong relationship building and interpersonal skills
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and as a team
• Flexibility to work irregular hours as required

To apply:

Please apply online at https://ymcahfx.ca/workwithus/ by January 19, 2026.

Please note that all successful candidates are required to provide:

• Background Check (less than 6 months old), if 18 years of age or older
• Valid First Aid and CPR Training

Please note: Background checks are reviewed on an individual basis – offenses, if any, are based on role and Child Safeguarding requirements, and may not eliminate candidates from employment at our YMCA.

At the YMCA, we are committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace where every team member feels valued, respected, and empowered to bring their full, authentic selves to work. We believe that a variety of perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences enrich our organization, enabling us to better serve our community and achieve our mission. As an equal opportunity employer, we welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, including Black, Indigenous, People of Colour, racially diverse, 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals, gender-diverse people, people with diverse abilities, members of ethnic minorities and faith groups, foreign-born residents, and veterans to apply.

If you require accommodation during the hiring process, please inform us in advance to arrange reasonable and appropriate accommodation.