Classroom Facilitator - Level 1

Program: Entry to School Program

Status: Full-time, Contract (6 months)

Hours: 36.23 hours/week

Date Posted: June 22, 2023

Closing Date: July 7, 2023

About Surrey Place

Surrey Place is a not-for-profit that serves people of all ages with developmental disabilities, autism spectrum disorder and visual impairments in the Toronto region and Northwestern Ontario. We offer integrated services and inclusive support in a safe and welcoming environment. Our approach is family-based, which centres the interests and care of our clients, families and caregivers by teaching them skills. We strive to ensure the greatest access to services and support our clients in navigating the health care system. Surrey Place helps people learn new skills, gain self-confidence and reach their full potential. 

Position Description

The Entry to School program is a new service offering that supports families with children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) who are between the ages of 3 to 5 entering school for the first time. It is a six-month, group-based, skill-building program focused on helping children develop school-readiness skills in a classroom setting. Each classroom will be operated by a multi-disciplinary team of Classroom Facilitators who will report into a Program Supervisor. This role will be asked to work at multiple locations across the GTA.

Main Responsibilities

• Development of Service Plans
• Ensures overall health and safety of children enrolled in the program by maintaining a sanitary and safe environment and identifying children who are unwell.
• Assessing individual children’s skills, abilities, interests, strengths and needs
• Build rapport with children to support progress.
• Develop and maintain positive relationships with families, care givers, partner agencies, internal team and volunteers.
• Monitor student behaviour and teaching appropriate behaviour.
• Conducting skill-based assessments, curriculum assessments
• Preparing and implementing activities as per curriculum
• Address personal care requirements of the child during each session.
• Assist the Classroom Facilitator L2 and/or Program Supervisor in the following:
• Review available information pertaining to all children in the classroom on a regular basis.
• Participate in classroom and full team meetings; collaborate with other team members
• Keep supervisor and Classroom Facilitator L2 informed of program concerns and client progress (e.g. flagging exceptional circumstances and need for program change).
• Effectively use ABA teaching strategies such as Reinforcement, Verbal and Physical Prompts, Shaping, Chaining, Modelling and Fading.
• Implementing appropriate learning activities and strategies (aligned to the individual Service Plans) designed to help the child reach their learning goals using early year’s pedagogy.
• Maintain materials and equipment and a tidy classroom.
• Participate in singing, storytelling, acting, modelling play skills and engaging in play with children.
• Intake activities
• Communicate and record day to day observations.
• Evaluation of children’s progress toward program goals

Qualifications

• Experience working with children with ASD an asset.
• Ability to work effectively in a team environment as well as independently.
• Ability to manage children with challenging behaviors and communicate effectively with parents in a positive way.
• Ability to implement, and evaluate activities and experiences to meet individual and group needs of all children.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office 365 (Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook).
• Minimum one (1) year working with preschool children (preferable post-graduation).
• A Diploma in Early Childhood Education, Child and Youth Worker from an accredited college or university, or an undergraduate degree or diploma from a recognized university or college in a field related (i.e., social services, psychology or ABA).
• Fluency in French is considered an asset
• Ability to work with multi-disciplinary teams.
• A combination of experience and education may be considered.
• Knowledge of program planning and case management for children with development disabilities, including knowledge of atypical development preferred.
• Demonstrated reliability (punctual and responsible).
• Effective ability to interact with others and deal with situations in ways that respect diverse backgrounds, experience and styles.
• Knowledge of behaviour management strategies.
• The successful candidate must provide an acceptable Vulnerable Sector Screening, and proof of being fully vaccinated for Covid-19.
• Strong interpersonal skills to gain trust and respect of children and their parents.

Surrey Place is an equal opportunity employer. Candidates from diverse groups are encouraged to apply. If you are contacted for an interview and require accommodation appropriate arrangements will be made to assist you through this process. We thank all applicants in advance for their interest; however only those selected for an interview will be contacted.