Next Gen DayCare is looking for a certified ECE Level 3 educator ready to step into a leadership role as one of our Program Leaders. This is a hands-on leadership position — you'll run your own room, mentor a team of Level 1 and Level 2 educators, and help shape how our next-generation, science-based approach to early learning comes to life every day.
If you hold your Level 3 certification, love being in the room with children as much as leading the adults around you, and want real input into curriculum and mentorship — not just a title — we want to meet you.
The Opportunity
As a Program Leader, you'll take ownership of a designated room — toddler, preschool, or out-of-school-care — and be the ECE Level 3 presence your team of educators looks to for guidance day to day. You'll report to the Centre Director and work alongside our other Program Leaders to keep curriculum, ratios, and daily practice running smoothly and in line with Alberta licensing standards.
What You'll Do
- Lead your room: plan and deliver developmentally appropriate, play-based programming aligned with Flight: Alberta's Early Learning and Care Framework and our STEAM curriculum.
- Mentor your team: guide, coach, and support Level 1 and Level 2 educators in your room, including day-to-day direction and modelling best practice.
- Own ratio and safety compliance: maintain correct staffing ratios, supervision, and a safe, well-organized room environment at all times.
- Track development: observe and assess each child's abilities, interests, and needs, and communicate progress with parents and the Centre Director.
- Support behaviour guidance: apply our Child Guidance Policy (Kelso's Choice) consistently and model trauma-informed, developmentally appropriate responses.
- Keep records current: maintain attendance, incident, and program documentation, including in our TimeSavr system.
- Be emergency-ready: know and lead evacuation drills, lockdown procedures, and incident response for your room.
- Partner with leadership: work directly with the Centre Director on program quality, room needs, and continued growth toward full capacity.
What You Bring
- Current ECE Level 3 certification (required) — no exceptions.
- Experience mentoring or informally leading other educators in a licensed Alberta child care setting.
- Working knowledge of the Early Learning and Child Care Act and Regulation, and comfort with Flight: Alberta's Early Learning and Care Framework.
- Current First Aid/CPR certification (or willingness to obtain before start date).
- A clean, current Vulnerable Sector Check (or ability to obtain one).
- Warm, structured, high-standards leadership — someone the children love and the team trusts.
What We Offer
- Wage: $25–$29 per hour, commensurate with experience — competitive with comparable Level 3 leadership postings in the Calgary/Okotoks region.
- Full-time, Monday to Friday — closed weekends, statutory holidays, and designated PD days.
- A growing, purpose-built program with real investment in curriculum, outdoor space, and facilities.
- Direct mentorship access to our Centre Director and genuine input into room curriculum and practice.
- A mission-driven team built around sustainability, multiculturalism, and science-based early learning.
- The pace and community of small-town Okotoks, without sacrificing the scale or ambition of the program.
Pay: $25.00-$29.00 per hour
Benefits:
- Casual dress
- Dental care
- Extended health care
- Life insurance
- On-site childcare
- On-site parking
- Tuition reimbursement
Work Location: In person
