Job Summary

The CNC ECE Caregiver for Newcomer Children at WoodGreen Community Services is a specialized, high-impact role within one of Toronto’s largest social service agencies. Operating under the Care for Newcomer Children (CNC) framework, you will support children whose parents are attending onsite ESL (English as a Second Language) or settlement classes. This role requires the “wit” to navigate diverse cultural dynamics and separation anxiety in a group setting, and the “grit” to implement high-quality early childhood programming in a casual, flexible environment.

Job Details

Employer: WoodGreen Community Services.
Location: Toronto, ON (Onsite).
Pay: $24.48 per hour.
Status: Casual (On-call/No guaranteed hours).
Core Focus: Supporting the social and emotional development of newcomer children (infants to school-age).

Key Responsibilities: The “Settlement Support” Cycle

You provide the “safe harbor” that allows newcomer parents to focus on their integration and language learning.

Program Implementation: Plan and execute age-appropriate activities that specifically enhance social and emotional development for children who may be experiencing significant life transitions.
Cultural Mediation: Create an inclusive environment that respects and celebrates the diverse backgrounds of newcomer families, often acting as a child’s first point of contact with the Canadian childcare system.
Supervision & Safety: Maintain a high standard of health and safety in a group setting, ensuring all CNC requirements and provincial regulations are met.
Observation & Reporting: Monitor children’s progress and well-being, providing feedback to parents and the CNC coordinator regarding developmental milestones or potential concerns.
Conflict Resolution: Use strong problem-solving skills to manage group dynamics and help children navigate the challenges of sharing and social interaction in a new language environment.

Candidate Profile & Qualifications

Education: A two-year Early Childhood Education (ECE) Diploma is mandatory.
Experience: Minimum of two years of professional experience in a childcare setting.
Technical Wit: Strong understanding of child development and the specific needs of newcomer populations (e.g., trauma-informed care, separation anxiety).
Communication: Excellent verbal and written skills to interact with parents who may have varying levels of English proficiency.
Certifications: Current First Aid/CPR is highly preferred; administrative certifications are a plus.

Technical Insights: The CNC Framework

Care for Newcomer Children (CNC) is a unique model distinct from traditional daycare, specifically designed for the settlement sector.

Dual-Client Approach: You are serving both the child (developmental needs) and the parent (enabling their attendance in federally funded programs like LINC).
Social-Emotional Scaffolding: Many newcomer children experience “toxic stress” or separation anxiety. Your role involves “co-regulation”—helping the child manage their emotions through a predictable and warm environment.
Adaptive Programming: Because the group composition can change frequently in a casual setting, your programming must be “modular” and easily adaptable to different ages and skill levels.

Why Join WoodGreen Community Services?

WoodGreen is a pillar of Toronto’s social fabric, known for its innovative approaches to poverty reduction and settlement.

Professional Prestige: Working for WoodGreen provides you with a reputable name on your resume, known for its commitment to high-quality social services.
Community Impact: You are at the “frontline” of Canadian immigration, directly helping families build a new life in Toronto.
Networking & Growth: As a casual employee, you gain “foot-in-the-door” access to one of Toronto’s largest employers, often leading to permanent roles within their expansive network of childcare centers and social programs.
Dynamic Work Environment: Onsite roles at settlement centers offer a diverse and ever-changing atmosphere where you can learn about global cultures daily.

Job Description

Do you believe that every child deserves a sense of belonging, no matter where they were born? WoodGreen Community Services is seeking a CNC ECE Caregiver. We aren’t looking for a “babysitter”; we are looking for a trauma-informed educator who has the “grit” to support a child through their first day in Canada and the “wit” to build a bridge of communication with their family. If you want to use your ECE diploma to make a tangible difference in Toronto’s newcomer community, you belong here.

In this role, you are a “Welcome Ambassador.” You understand that when a parent feels their child is safe and happy, they are better able to learn and succeed. Your goal is to provide “Excellence in Newcomer Care,” ensuring every child’s social and emotional needs are prioritized. We look for “Solution-first” individuals who are empathetic, organized, and ready to jump in on an on-call basis.

Joining WoodGreen means becoming part of a team that transforms lives. We offer a competitive casual rate and the opportunity to work in a nurturing, diverse environment. If you are an ECE with a commitment to “Inclusive Education and Newcomer Success,” we invite you to apply and help us support Toronto’s newest residents today.

WoodGreen Community Services: Empowering a Thriving Toronto

WoodGreen Community Services is one of Toronto’s largest and most comprehensive social service agencies, defined by a culture of innovation, inclusivity, and client-centric care. Its mission is to “enhance self-sufficiency, promote well-being, and reduce poverty through innovative solutions to critical social needs.” In 2026, WoodGreen operates as a “United Way Anchor Agency,” functioning as a vital safety net for 40,000 residents while pioneering new models in social housing and health integration.

In 2026, WoodGreen’s impact is guided by its 2024–2027 Strategic Plan, which focuses on meeting the city’s “UNMET Needs”:

1. The Pillar of Housing & “Homeward Bound”

WoodGreen is a leader in tackling Toronto’s housing crisis, managing 1,846 social housing units across 39 properties.

Homeward Bound: This landmark program celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2025. It provides single mothers with four years of housing, childcare, and education. In 2026, it remains a national model for breaking the cycle of generational poverty.
Modular & Specialized Housing: WoodGreen is at the forefront of “Modular Housing” solutions and recently received a $1M TD Ready Challenge grant to develop innovative, affordable housing for frontline workers and marginalized populations.

2. Lifespan Support Services

WoodGreen’s “No Wrong Door” approach ensures that clients can access a vast range of integrated services regardless of where they enter the system:

Child Care & Family: Serving over 830 children annually, WoodGreen operates licensed centers that include early learning, special needs resources, and March Break/summer camps.
Youth & Newcomers: The Youth Wellness Centre supports nearly 3,000 young people with mental health services. For newcomers, WoodGreen provides settlement support to thousands of individuals from over 120 countries, including 40,000+ hours of English instruction.
Seniors’ Active Living: The agency promotes dignity and independence through medical escorts, counselling, and recreational programs that help seniors stay safely in their homes.
Employment & Financial Empowerment: Each year, over 1,200 clients find meaningful work through WoodGreen’s career counselling and training programs, while their tax clinics help residents access millions in government benefits.

3. Culture & “Awake to Woke to Work”

WoodGreen’s internal environment is characterized by “Ideapreneurship” and a commitment to being an equity-centered organization:

Anti-Racism Framework: The 2026 culture is defined by the Awake to Woke to Work framework, which proactively integrates anti-racism and diversity into every policy and program.
Collaborative Leadership: Led by President & CEO Anne Babcock, the organization emphasizes “distributed leadership,” where staff are encouraged to be co-authors of the agency’s transformation.
Top Employer for New Grads: Recognized in The Career Directory 2026, WoodGreen is a premier destination for young professionals seeking meaningful impact, mentorship, and a diverse, values-driven team.

4. 2026 Salary & Benefits Benchmarks (Estimated)

WoodGreen offers a unionized environment with competitive non-profit compensation and robust benefits:

Youth Worker (Congregate Care): ~$57,500 per year.
Housing Services Coordinator: ~$54,000 – $55,200 per year.
Program Supervisor: ~$35 – $37 per hour.
Personal Support Worker (PSW): ~$23.21 per hour.
Benefits: Eligible employees receive comprehensive health/dental coverage, a group RRSP/Pension program, and hybrid work flexibility where applicable.

Working at WoodGreen Community Services means being part of a “Social Innovation Engine.” Whether you are a Career Coach helping a newcomer find their first Canadian job or a Housing Manager overseeing a new modular build, the experience is defined by the opportunity to “make meaningful change” in the heart of Toronto.

To apply for this job please visit www.woodgreen.org.