Respite Care Worker

1 Corkstown Rd, Ottawa, ON K2H 0E4, Canada •

Posted Wednesday, February 18, 2026 at 5:00 AM

Position Title
:
Respite Care Worker

Department
:
Children and Family Services

Program
:
Shelter Respite and Leaping Lizards After School Program

Status
:
Temporary Part-Time - 46 hours bi-weekly (1 year contract with possibility of extension)

This position is an existing vacancy.

• 3 weeks of paid time off
• Flexible Health and Wellness Spendings Account
• Employee Assistance Program

Pinecrest-Queensway Community Health Centre is an innovative, community-based, multi-service centre. We strive to meet the needs of the diverse communities we serve. We work in partnership with individuals, families, and communities to achieve their full potential, paying particular attention to those who face barriers to care due to race, gender, income and/or ability. PQCHC is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity in its workforce.

If at any stage in the selection process, you require accommodation due to a disability, please let us know the nature of the required accommodation.

The Respite Care Worker is responsible for the coordination and delivery of high‑quality respite care and after school programs tailored to the needs of infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and school‑age children including those living in transitional family housing. The Respite Care Worker delivers programming that is responsive, inclusive, and grounded in How Does Learning Happen? Ontario’s Pedagogy for the Early Years and supports children’s development, well‑being, and sense of belonging, while fostering collaborative relationships with families and community partners.

• Deliver learning experiences aligned with early childhood best practices.
• Support children’s sense of belonging, engagement, well‑being, and expression through daily routines and play.
• Promote mental health by helping children form secure relationships, develop emotional literacy, and build self‑regulation skills.
• Encourage independence, decision‑making, and problem‑solving through exploration and self‑expression.
• Conduct observations and assessments to monitor children’s development and adapt programming accordingly.
• Supervise and guide groups of up to 16 children with team members to provide enriching learning experiences and interactions while ensuring and maintaining safety.
• Provide information and referrals to community services to meet family needs.
• Integrate health promotion into activities, including healthy eating, physical activity, and mental wellness.
• During the registration process, identify potential health and safety risks for children (e.g., asthma, food allergies, medical conditions) and develop and implement individualized plans to ensure each child’s well‑being and safety.
• Build consistent communication channels with parents and caregivers to share updates and support family engagement.
• Conduct outreach to families experiencing isolation to promote access to respite and early childhood supports.
• Establish and maintain relationships and collaborations with community partners.
• Create inclusive and culturally responsive environments where all children and families feel respected and valued.

• Maintain accurate, confidential client records (electronic and paper) in compliance with privacy legislation.
• Coordinate daily program logistics, schedules, and communication to ensure smooth operations.
• Input and manage program data, generate reports, and support data analysis to inform planning.
• Prepare and maintain program materials such as flyers, brochures, and documentation for outreach.
• Stay current on early childhood research, trends, and pedagogical approaches.
• Participate in ongoing professional development, reflective practice, and interdisciplinary collaboration.
• Monitor environments for health and safety hazards; document and report accidents, illnesses, and serious occurrences as required.

• Support volunteers and placement students through orientation, supervision, and mentorship.
• Participate in onboarding and training of new staff members.
• Annually review operational guidelines, policies, and…