site supervisor

camp counselor

camp director

childcare provider

counselor

YMCA of Southwestern Ontario

A childcare educator’s day involves a wide range of responsibilities focused on the well-being and development of young children. The day typically begins by welcoming children and parents, helping with sign-in, and supervising free play to ensure a smooth transition. Educators prepare and serve snacks and meals, encouraging hygiene and social interaction during mealtimes. They lead group activities such as circle time, songs, and storytelling to foster communication and routine. Throughout the day, educators plan and guide educational activities that support early learning in areas like art, literacy, and sensory play. Outdoor and gross motor activities are supervised to promote physical development. During nap time, educators help children rest and supervise quietly. They observe and document each child’s behavior and progress to track development and share insights with families. Maintaining a clean, safe, and organized environment is essential, including regular sanitizing and encouraging children to help tidy up. Effective communication with parents and collaboration with team members are also key parts of the role, ensuring consistency and support across all areas of care and education.This job must be useful is you are a student and do not have responsibilities or bills for pay.
The full-time staff is not so friendly.

Important to find a good team because they will be be the best part of your experience working for the Y. Front line workers are rarely given positive feedback, respect is minimal and educators m are the first to receive criticism despite not being provided with appropriate resources and lack of a decent pay wage. Management and HR are all friends and put themselves first; they disregard legitimate concerns of their employees. Many of them love to power trip over those “under” them and have witnessed a lot of bullying at the hands of management.  Wouldn’t be a bad organization to work for if it was just the people at the centre you dealt with... The “higher-ups” are the ones that run things and mistreat their employees. their “values” are never truly followed by those in management (what respect? No inclusiveness of staff beliefs? Never take responsibility or admit and take responsibility when they are wrong? Etc.) and just makes them look hypocritical because many company rules never apply to them. I would not recommend any one to work at such a negative, disrespectful association and wouldn’t recommend attending as a family or participant either. Look elsewhere; there are friendlier, better paying and more welcoming/inclusive  and understanding places to work out their, where you will feel more valued and respected. 

I worked for the Y for 10 years. The first few years weren’t bad, I actually loved the job and the families I worked with. But there were changes in management, managers who couldn’t care less about their employees. In a before and after school position, you would be moved numerous times to fill in for other employees who were off because some supervisors didn’t want to go into program. 

What values? Some management shows little to no respect to their employees. Making decisions that affect the employee without consulting them. There is so much favourtism it’s not even funny. If your direct supervisor likes you, then no problem but if not, you’re treated like the bottom of the food chain. 

People say you leave the job because of management. This is the main reason I left my position with the Y. Giving my notice to my supervisor was one of the happiest days of my life. 

The one thing I did like about my job was the families I met and the friends I made along the way. Other than that, I don’t recommend working for the Y unless you wanted to be undervalued and criticized. 

I started working for the Y as a Supply Educator and then began working full-time as an RECE. I have overall enjoyed my time working for them, but your experience will greatly vary depending on your site director. 
The sites I worked at initially did not have the worst work environment, but it wasn't the best either. You might encounter sites where many staff members are too competitive and would gossip or cause drama, while in other sites most people are incredibly nice and welcoming.

The site I am currently at is awesome, the director is nice and compassionate and everybody works together as if it were a family. I feel welcomed and appreciated.

My only issue is that we're very underpaid.

I certainly gained a lot of experience in a short time.
First week gave me a thick Nursery Act rule book, and told me to read it. Every a couple of week there will be a day to commute to London for YMCA Courses, which I enjoy more than the job itself. Gave me a job of assisting Autistic children, even though I had repeatedly expressed that I had no experience at all with Autism, kept telling me that I will do fine, then fired me because of it right before the trial period end.

If you’re a student who’s looking for experience working with children to add to your resume and have awkward school hours this job works for you. I was in the before and after school program. I had classes in the middle of the day and evenings so this kinda worked. You’re just really tired at the end of the day. And if you need time to book off for exams and tests or personal matters management wasn’t the most supportive. Gave you a hard time if you
Needed that time knowing full well you’re a student. You got a free gym membership but between work and school there wasn’t anytime to go. Not a lot of opportunity to move up either. Directors not very supportive. It’s just a job you do to learn how to deal with kids and you move on. 

What is the best part of working at the company?
Connecting with the children during playing to learn. 
I have great time colleagues as well.

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
Going outside the classroom with the children to the play ground during winter.
Quite chilling!

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
Inclusive, dynamic, caring and loving. 

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
Children are served snack in the morning 9.30a.m. They learn through play with the play toys in the classroom.  10.30a.m, they go outside to play for about an hour and return to the classroom for lunch. After that, it is nap time for two hour.

Management is friendly and supportive, no barriers between Mgmt and front line workers in terms of treatment.

Positive culture.

Management is flexible accommodating days off to meet personal needs.

There is a lack of communication and sometimes as a front line worker you don't know about changes and one needs to ask. There is a sense of "I don't know"l hot lw to move forward" in some of the tasks because you don't have the necessary information.
 At the same time, they are aware and comprehend this, they have too much on their plate, I hope they will have more organization moving forward.

Definitely recommend for someone that prioritizes a positive environment.

This job is good for someone who is retired and not someone who has a family or is trying to make a living. Start really early in the morning and then have a big gap in your day and end around dinner time. Only 25 hours a week and the wages are poor considering the amount of work and behaviours educators deal with. Management is attentive to needs and concerns and communicates well. Overall not a lot of people want to do this job because of the hours so if they paid people more then it is highly considered that they would get more applicants. It can be a stressful job at times. 

What is the best part of working at the company?
Salary pay & sick days. You always know how much you are going to earn biweekly with no surprises. 

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
Upper management is very hard and negative towards staff. Upper management treats staff poorly 

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
The staff at each centre varies. You have some amazing co workers and some not great.

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
High stress. Very busy with children and trying to meet everyone’s needs

Top Job Titles	Average salary
Site supervisor 48 salaries reported	$25.24 per hour
Camp counselor 45 salaries reported	$17.77 per hour
Camp director 35 salaries reported	$19.18 per hour
Childcare provider 20 salaries reported	$19.20 per hour
Counselor 30 salaries reported	$18.30 per hour

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