Shift Lead (Childcare)

Kids Kottage Foundation  

Full-Time - Shift Lead (Childcare) 

Are you passionate about seeing a community where every child has a place to be cared for in times of need? Bring that passion to Kids Kottage Foundation! 

About us:   

Kids Kottage provides care and shelter for children who may be facing a crisis. Established in 1995, Kids Kottage is a not-for-profit and charitable organization licensed to provide residential care for children aged 0-10. 

The Opportunity:  

We are looking for 3 full-time Shift Leads (Childcare):  

• One Day Shift Lead: working primarily 10-hour day shifts (7:30am-5:30pm) with 1-2 evening shifts per month.  
• Two Evening Shift Leads: working primarily 10-hour evening shifts (12:30pm-10:30pm) with 1-2 day shifts per month.  
• All childcare positions are required to work one weekend shift per week. 

The Shift Lead is responsible for providing on-floor leadership, focusing on high-quality childcare practices, and supporting smooth day-to-day program operations. This role includes weekly planning for developmentally appropriate activities, acting as the first point of authority for decision-making during assigned shifts, coaching and mentoring front-line staff, and participating in the on-call rotation. The Shift Lead models professionalism, demonstrates strong knowledge of child development, and ensures that the environment is safe, inclusive, and engaging for children. 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:  

• Develop and post weekly activity plans aligned with child development principles and early learning frameworks. 
• Act as the on-floor leader during the shift, responding to immediate issues, and staffing needs; and escalating matters to leadership when appropriate. 
• Attends the daily routines of children (feeding, toileting, bathing) and supervises children during playtime, meals and naptime, modelling developmentally appropriate practices including trauma-informed and child-centered approaches. 
• Delegate tasks effectively to maintain safe ratios, supervision, and workflow. 
• Communicate shift updates, incidents, and relevant information to supervisors and team members. 
• Support staff with behavior guidance, risk assessments, and crisis management. 
• Promote a collaborative, respectful work environment. 
• Attend shift-lead team meetings, contribute to program planning, and ensure consistency across team members. 
• Implements quality childcare activities in alignment with the Kids Kottage Practice Framework. 
• Responds to crisis calls and supports admissions and discharges as needed. 

Qualifications:  

• Certificate or diploma in Early Learning & Child Care, Child and Youth Care, or a related field (or equivalent experience). 
• Minimum 1–2 years' experience in a licensed childcare or child/youth program. 
• Experience in a leadership role is an asset. 
• Ability to participate in the on-call rotation to provide after-hours guidance, problem-solving, and staffing support (1 week every 5-6 weeks). 

Core Competencies:  

• Child Development Knowledge:  Comprehensive knowledge of child development, early learning principles, and effective behaviour guidance strategies.  
• Communication Skills : Exceptional communication abilities for building positive relationships with children, families, and team members.  
• Leadership:  Strong leadership skills, including effective delegation, sound decision making, and skilled conflict resolution. Proven coaching and mentoring skills, with the ability to provide supportive, constructive feedback.  
• Problem Solving & Adaptability : Calm, organized, and solution-focused approach, especially in high pressure or rapidly changing situations. Advanced problem solving skills, with strong judgment and situational awareness. 
• Child Centered & Trauma Informed : Understanding of traumainformed care and culturally responsive practices, ensuring inclusive and supportive environments.  

Work Environment:  

• Crisis Nursery, located at Street Edmonton, T5E 4G3  
• The Crisis Nursery provides 24-hour care for children 10 and under.  

Benefits & Remuneration:  

• The hourly range for this position is $25 to $29 per hour, based on education and experience. 
• Comprehensive, competitive, extended health benefits package for full-time positions of 30 hours a week or more. 
• For more information, please check out our website: 
• Application Deadline : March 16, 2026 

**We appreciate the interest of all applicants. However, we will only contact those selected for an interview. **  

At Kids Kottage Foundation, we believe that justice, equity, diversity and inclusion are essential to our mission of protecting children, supporting caregivers, and strengthening families. We are committed to creating a safe, welcoming, and respectful environment where all children, caregivers, staff, and community members feel valued, heard and empowered. 

We encourage all candidates who self-identify as members of the following designated groups: women, visible minorities, Indigenous peoples and persons with disabilities to apply. If you require any accommodations throughout the recruitment process, please contact