Classroom Facilitator – Level 1

About Surrey Place:

At Surrey Place we help children and adults living with developmental disabilities, autism spectrum disorder and visual impairments reach their full potential. We offer a variety of groups and workshops for clients, families, and caregivers, as well as extensive education and consultation services to community agencies.

Our comprehensive programs and services range from assessment, diagnosis, and one-on-one treatment to family counselling and group support and is provided by a broad network of clinicians and professionals. Surrey Place is accredited with Accreditation Canada and is affiliated with the University of Toronto and other academic institutions and is a teaching site for students in a variety of health care professions.

Surrey Place employs nearly 500 employees, with 11 locations in the GTA and we also provide video-conferencing services to communities in north-western Ontario.

Program 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.

Position Description:

The Classroom Facilitator L1 will be responsible for working in classroom to deliver a group-based program focused on developing school-readiness skills (communication, play, social interactions, functional routines, behavioural self-management, and pre-academics, learning and attention).

Main Responsibilities:

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

Qualifications:

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

Due to the pandemic, this position will require primarily in-person work with some remote work when needed. When Covid-19 restrictions are lifted, candidates will be required to work from a Surrey Place location.