Executive Director/Director, Sunnyside Garden Daycare Centre

Sunnyside Garden Daycare Centre is a vibrant, diverse and engaged child-care centre located in the Parkdale-High Park neighbourhood of Toronto.

The Centre operates toddler and preschool programs, as well as school age and kindergarten before and after care programs throughout the school year. It also offers full-day care on PA days and school holidays and full day camp programs in the summer months.

The Centre has been operating successfully since 1983 as a not-for-profit and has charitable status. The Centre’s mandate is to provide inclusive, affordable and accessible child care programs. 

Sunnyside Garden Daycare Centre of Toronto operates in partnership with the children, parents and Garden Avenue School staff. It supports early learning experiences for children. Program goals focus on fostering self-esteem, independence, individuality, creativity and pro-social behaviours. Sunnyside supports every aspect of a child’s development when planning their programming, with emphasis on Early Childhood Education practices.  Children are given many opportunities to participate in onsite activities, community events and trip outings.

With the retirement of the current Centre Director, the Board of Directors is hiring a new Executive Director / Director.

The Centre is hiring an experienced child care professional to lead the operations and management of the Centre. The incoming Executive Director/Director reports to the Centre’s Board of Directors and is responsible for overseeing the operations of the Centre in accordance with the strategic direction set by the Board. The Director will be responsible for ensuring that the Centre is operated in compliance with all regulatory and legislative requirements and will oversee human resources, operational, financial, policy, strategic, and administrative management of the Centre, with the support of the Assistant Director and in consultation and collaboration with the Centre’s Board of Directors.

What you bring to this role:

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in a leadership capacity in a child care organization or equivalent
• Knowledge and understanding of Ministry resources, including “How Does Learning Happen”
• Knowledge and experience managing a program in accordance with policy, legislative and regulatory environment applicable to child care centres in Ontario
• Training in human rights and accessibility legislation, occupational health and safety certification, and fraud awareness
• Experience in finance, budgeting, cash flow controls, payroll, fee payment systems and other functions relevant to financial management and oversight of the Centre
• Experience managing confidential human resources information and/or related confidential information
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; proficiency with Microsoft Word and Excel is an asset
• Highly relational: strong ability to maintain good interpersonal skills with staff, Board of Directors, key stakeholders and families
• Strong work ethic and high level of integrity
• Valid driver’s license and access to a vehicle is an asset

Education:

• Early Childhood Education Diploma/Degree or equivalent
• Member in good standing of the (Ontario) College of Early Childhood Educators
• Food handling certificate and/or knowledge of Public Health food handling and safety requirements
• The successful candidate will be asked to provide proof of a satisfactory Police Vulnerable Sector Check 

Why consider working with Sunnyside Garden Daycare Centre? What Sunnyside offers you?

• A competitive salary range of $90,000 to $105,000
• Benefits: Group RRSP matching and comprehensive benefits (health, dental, vision, prescription drugs)
• Sick day entitlements  
• 4 weeks of vacation to start
• Support for professional development
• Strong staff retention
• Part of Canada-wide Early Learning and Child Care (CWELCC)
• Excellent support with transitioning into the role
• Positive reputation with parents in the community

The Centre is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applications from equity deserving groups, including women, Black, Indigenous, and other people of colour, persons with disabilities, and members of LGBTQIA2S+ communities.

Application Details:

This search is being conducted on behalf of Sunnyside Garden Daycare Centre by crawfordconnect, a search firm specializing in recruiting leaders for Canada’s non-profit sector.

The deadline for applications is April 4, 2025.

Qualified applicants are invited to submit their resume and cover letter, in confidence to Heidi Stock, Search Consultant at heidi@crawfordconnect.com.

Important Note: In your cover letter we ask you to answer the following: Please describe your experience managing a budget in a child care centre.

Although the deadline has been set for April 4, 2025, we encourage early applications. The posting will be taken down with sufficient submissions.

We thank all applicants for applying, however, only qualified candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

If someone you know may be qualified and interested in this position, feel free to forward this information - we'd be pleased to connect with them. For more information about this opportunity, contact heidi@crawfordconnect.com.