Early Childhood Educator (ECE)

Location: Dene Tha’ First Nation Women’s and Children’s Emergency Shelter
Base: Alberta
Reports to: Facility Manager
Available Position Types: 1 Full-Time and 1 Casual Positions
Schedule: Monday to Friday, daytime hours, with flexibility required to support shelter operations

Position Overview

The Early Childhood Educator (ECE) is responsible for providing nurturing, developmentally appropriate, and trauma-informed care for infants and young children residing in Dene Tha’ First Nation’s Women’s and Children’s Emergency Shelter. Children accessing the shelter may be experiencing stress, instability, or trauma, and the ECE plays a critical role in creating a safe, predictable, and culturally grounded environment that supports healing, emotional regulation, and healthy development.

Working collaboratively with parents or caregivers and the Case Management team, the ECE designs and delivers structured programming that promotes social-emotional, cognitive, and physical development through play, routine, and culturally relevant activities. This role supports both child well-being and family stability during a period of transition and recovery.

Core Responsibilities

Child Care and Developmentally Appropriate Programming

• Provide safe, responsive, attentive, and developmentally appropriate care to infants and young children in a manner that prioritizes safety, emotional well-being, and individual needs.

• Plan and deliver daily structured activities that support social-emotional, cognitive, language, and physical development.

• Incorporate culturally relevant practices, including Indigenous language, storytelling, music, traditional games, and land-based learning, where appropriate.

• Apply trauma-informed strategies to support children experiencing emotional, behavioural, or developmental challenges.

• Provide personal care to infants and toddlers as required, including assistance with hygiene or developmental delays.

Safety, Supervision, and Daily Routine

• Always ensure continuous supervision of children, both indoors and outdoors, in accordance with shelter policies and child safety standards.

• Maintain consistent daily routines, including meals, rest periods, playtime, and structured group activities to promote stability and predictability.

• Monitor children for health, safety, or emotional concerns and communicate observations promptly to the Facility Manager or Case Management team.

• Adhere to applicable child-to-staff ratios, safety guidelines, and licensing or regulatory requirements as applicable within the shelter context.

Family Support and Collaboration

• Work collaboratively with parents or caregivers to support consistent care routines, parenting goals, and positive child development.

• Share observations, feedback, and informal guidance with caregivers in a respectful and supportive manner.

• Participate in care planning discussions with the Case Management team to ensure children’s developmental and emotional needs are integrated into family plans.

Documentation, Data Management, and Team Collaboration

• Maintain accurate daily records of attendance, activities, routines, and significant observations or incidents.

• Contribute to developmental tracking, progress notes, and reports as required for internal monitoring or funder reporting.

• Accurately enter and maintain required documentation within the shelter’s designated data or record-keeping systems in accordance with privacy and confidentiality standards.

• Collaborate with other shelter staff to support holistic, family-centred care.

• Participate in team meetings, training, and professional development opportunities as required.

• Support general shelter operations as requested by management while on duty.

Shared Shelter-Wide Responsibilities

All employees of the DTFN Women’s and Children’s Emergency Shelter work within the context of a 24/7 emergency shelter environment and share responsibility for upholding the safety, dignity, confidentiality, and well-being of all clients, children, families, staff, and the facility. While not all positions are shift-based or client-facing, all staff are expected to contribute to the effective and professional operation of the shelter by responding appropriately to safety concerns within the scope of their role, communicating concerns promptly to on-shift staff or management, and supporting basic cleanliness, general upkeep, or critical assistance as reasonably required.

All staff are expected to maintain ongoing compliance with confidentiality and privacy obligations and to participate in required trauma-informed, cultural safety, and role-specific training throughout their employment. These obligations are fundamental conditions of continued employment within the shelter.

Qualifications

• Diploma or certificate in Early Childhood Education or a related field, with current Alberta ECE certification (Level 1, 2, or 3).

• Minimum two years of experience in licensed childcare, early intervention, family support, or similar child-focused settings.

• Demonstrated understanding of child development, trauma-informed practice, and culturally responsive approaches to working with children and families.

• Strong communication skills, patience, creativity, and ability to work effectively with children and families.

• Knowledge of Indigenous culture, values, and languages is a strong asset.

• Valid Class 5 Driver’s Licence and ability to travel as required.

• WHMIS, First Aid, CPR certification (or willingness to obtain).

• Successful completion of a Criminal Record Check and Child Intervention Check.

Work Environment and Conditions

• Primarily daytime role operating within a women’s and children’s emergency shelter.

• Flexibility may be required to support intake events within a 24/7 shelter environment.

• Trauma-exposed work environment requiring emotional resilience, sound judgment, and strict adherence to confidentiality.

Closing Date: November 6, 2026

Send resume with a Criminal Record and Child Intervention checks to:

Human Resources Manager
Dene Tha’ First Nation
Box 958, High Level, AB T0H 1Z0
Phone: 780-926-2786 or Fax: (780) 926-5730
Email: DoreenA@denetha.ca

We thank all candidates in advance, however only those selected for an interview will be contacted.