Supervisor, Early Years Partnerships, Quality and Growth

The Role

Works with community partners to support the operation of the early learning and child care service system, including quality initiatives, partnerships with service providers (e.g., special needs resourcing agencies, EarlyON child and family programs, professional resource centre), and the centralized waitlist registry.

Leads the implementation of plans to increase the supply of quality licensed child care spaces in Waterloo Region in alignment with provincial and federal growth strategies. 
 

Duties/Responsibilities

• Supervises program and administration staff (Early Years Analysts, coordinator).
• Establishes, coordinates, and implements quality initiatives for the child care and early years (CCEY) community. Leads community-based quality initiatives and ensures quality standard and practices in CCEY programs are met. Coordinates policy development and planning related to the quality initiative.
• Engages stakeholders (working groups, consultation sessions) in the development of community-wide quality standards and supporting tools, resources, and evaluation measures and communicates to parents and practitioners. Provides linkages to community resources and training, incentives, and supports to participants to achieve benchmarks and goals. Develops partnerships with community agencies, professionals, researchers, and consultants.
• Consults with the professional resource centre and other community groups and services to plan and develop professional learning.  Collaborates with partners to develop and deliver training plans, identify and encourage use of resources, identify gaps in services, and make recommendations.   
• Leads the implementation of plans to support the creation of new child care spaces based on strategic directions and Ministry and Region of Waterloo standards and requirements. Ensures growth addresses system gaps, priority populations, geographic areas, and other equity-focused priorities for those facing the greatest barriers to child care access, including special needs, Black, Indigenous, Racialized, and other under-represented families.
• Recommends funding approaches and develops policy and guidelines for management approval.  Interprets provincial guidelines and develops local strategies for home-based and centre-based child care as well as other early years service providers and operators to support dispensation of funding.
• Leads RFP and procurement processes. Develops specifications, reviews submissions, and recommends awards for approval. Responds to questions and leads information sessions to groups and agencies. 
• Works with community partners such as school boards and community organizations to identify opportunities for child care growth. Monitors impacts of growth and makes recommendations to mitigate impacts for other early years service providers.
• Meets with providers to review operational plans and practices to ensure compliance with agreements. Provides advice, coaching, and support to centre-based and home-based licensed child care operators to build capacity related to child care operations and practices and recommend the incorporation of inclusive, equitable, accessible, and best practices into operations, including design of spaces, curriculum, internal procedures and practices. 
• Supervises funding distribution and contract administration for service providers (e.g., SNR agencies, EarlyON, Conestoga College, police record check). Reviews service provider submissions including financial information reported, business plans, and other criteria to ensure integrity in the use of funds and expenses based on eligibility criteria. Approves payments. Monitors expenditures against approved budgets and makes recommendations for surplus.

Additional Duties/Responsibilities

• Participates on and/or leads working groups and committees related to system growth, new program development, quality initiatives, professional learning, and early years collaboration. Facilitates consultation processes, including meetings with families and community partners (e.g., school boards, special needs resourcing agencies, EarlyON programs). 
• Monitors programs and keeps management informed of progress to support the achievement of targets, priorities, and outcomes in alignment with the Service System Plan and Ministry and Region of Waterloo expectations. 
• Prepares reports on program delivery and financial and administrative reporting requirements for submission to the Ministry. Prepares and presents reports to senior leadership, committees of council, and stakeholder groups. 
• Monitors program budget. Develops plans and forecasts related to program delivery and operational cash flow projections. Has signing authority to approved limit. Administers contracts with service providers, consultants and contractors.
• Liaises with peers in the local and provincial child care and early years sectors to exchange information and best practices. Has contact with Ministry staff to clarify requirements and provide information.
• Liaises and collaborates with other areas in the Division, Department, and corporation for alignment and consistency in program practices and structure including equity and inclusion. 
• Works with Legal and Finance to facilitate tendering processes, develop contracts and agreements, and administer payments. 
• Performs related duties as required.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge and skills are normally acquired through a bachelor’s degree in a related field, such as early learning or child studies, plus progressively responsible related experience.
• Must be a registered Early Childhood Educator in good standing with the College of Early Childhood Educators of Ontario.
• Knowledge of child care, child development, and early years principles, policies, and practices, including measurement tools and best practices that support quality practice, with an emphasis on equity and inclusion. 
• Knowledge and experience in adult education, capacity building, research, evaluation, and planning methods, and statistical applications.
• Knowledge and experience in operational and administrative practices in child care operations, including financial accounting practices, budgeting, and contract management.
• Knowledge and understanding of equity and inclusion approaches and principles in early years settings, including groups that face the greatest barriers to child care access, including special needs, Black, Indigenous, Racialized, and other under-represented families.
• Knowledge of and ability to comply with policies, procedures, collective agreements, and related legislation (e.g., early childhood education, child care and early years, child and family services, health and safety).
• Analytical, organizational, problem-solving, and continuous improvement skills to interpret and apply legislation, policies, and procedures. Ability to translate Ministry policies and plans into results-oriented actions.
• Ability to develop work plans and organize and coordinate work of supervised staff to meet program requirements.
• Ability to act as a trusted partner to child care and early years providers and community partners by providing expertise and guidance, and working to build capacity for effective, quality practice. 
• Leadership skills to supervise, train, develop, motivate, and support staff
• Human relations, communication, and facilitation skills to develop and maintain working relationships with child care and early years providers and community partners; conduct presentations and information sessions; respond to information requests from individuals in the child care sector, government agencies, community organizations, and the public; and participate as an effective team member.
• Ability to write reports, summaries, promotional materials, correspondence, policies, procedures, presentations, and work plans. Ability to read and interpret research, policies, procedures, regulations, guidelines, and reports. 
• Computer skills with ability to use software such as Microsoft Office.
• Ability to travel within and occasionally outside Waterloo Region.
• Ability to adjust schedule to meet with community groups during evening hours.
• Must provide an acceptable police vulnerable sector check.
• Ability to implement and monitor compliance with the Departmental vision and philosophy for integrated customer service delivery within the division, across divisions, across departments, and within the broader community.
• Ability to support and demonstrate the Region’s values.