Client Organization: Family Day Care Services
Position Title: Chief Executive Officer
Reports to: Board of Directors
Location: Toronto, Ontario
Dedicated to the care and education of children since 1851, Family Day Care Services (Family Day) has a long history of serving children and families throughout Toronto and the surrounding communities. Today, Family Day is a nonprofit registered charity with a current complement of approximately 600 staff, relationships with approximately 210 independent contractors in its licensed home child care program, and revenue of approximately $35 million. Family Day offers families safe and nurturing early learning and child care opportunities that reflect their values and needs through a number of programs and services in Toronto, York and Peel:
Child Care/Early Learning: Family Day’s child care and early learning centres offer care for children from birth to 12 years of age. Programs use the HighScope curriculum, which concentrates on “active participatory learning.” The central belief of HighScope is that children construct their own learning by “doing” and by working with objects, people and ideas with a knowledgeable educator. Registered Early Childhood Educators (RECE) and Assistant Teachers receive ongoing training in this evidence-based curriculum.
Extended Day/School Age Programs: Family Day’s Extended Day programs are for children aged four to six in Full Day Kindergarten and are delivered in partnership with school boards. School Age programs are designed for children aged six to 12 years of age and provide a safe and stimulating before- and after-school experience offered in both child care centres and licensed home child care programs.
Licensed Home Child Care: Family Day’s licensed Home Child Care Program is child care in a “family style” setting with flexible hours, family groupings and the opportunity for siblings to be in child care together. Family Day contracts with caregivers who provide child care for children from infancy to 12 years of age, with a maximum of five child care children (no more than two children under two years of age). Family Day is a licensed child care agency under the Child Care and Early Years Act 2014 (CCEYA).
Summer Camp: Family Day’s summer camp is an enriching, rewarding and fun experience for children. Family Day works with educators and program consultants to create a comprehensive and fun summer calendar for all camp programs.
EarlyOn Child and Family Centres: Family Day’s five EarlyON Child and Family Centres are welcoming, supportive and accessible places where children (birth to six years of age) and their parents, grandparents and caregivers can play and learn together. Parents/caregivers can participate in a variety of activities with their children, get information about programs and services available to them, and get information and advice from qualified EarlyON professionals.
Family Support Programs: These additional programs also focus on providing activities, learning opportunities, information, and special services to parents, grandparents and caregivers and their children, including Integration Services-Special Needs Resourcing, Early Literacy Specialists, Homework Plus, and AOK programs.
Our Vision: A society where all children achieve their potential
Our Mission: Leading innovation in early learning, child care and family support services
Our Approach: Family Day uses evidence-based approaches in all of our services to ensure quality programs based on sound knowledge. The HighScope approach is utilized in child care programs, and in licensed home child care the providers are supported through “I Care for Kids, I Care for Quality.” The family-centred approach runs through all programs at Family Day.
Reporting to the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer is the senior leader for the agency and is responsible for all strategic and operational planning and implementation of services and programs, guiding day-to-day management decisions in alignment with the organization’s vision, mission and values. The CEO has overall responsibility for the strategic plan and associated annual budget and ensures that the assets of the organization are protected and secure. The CEO complies with all relevant legislation related to the operations of the organization and ensures that staff are treated with respect and professionalism. The CEO supports the governance mandate of the Board and ensures effective communication with all stakeholders.
Many gains have been made in recent years to improve legislation, professionalization, funding and expansion as well as enhanced accessibility and options for families. At the same time, there continues to be uncertainty with regards to funding and regulatory changes, and attracting and retaining top ECE talent in a competitive market remains a key challenge. Within this context, the new CEO will want to focus on the following key near-term priorities:
Working with children and families is rewarding, meaningful and impactful work. For the new CEO, this is a wonderful opportunity to join a long-standing, highly regarded, influential organization with a history of leadership and effective advocacy (for children/families as well as front-line staff) and with a positive profile among sector partners and governments. Working with passionate and dedicated staff, a model culture, a committed Board, and an appetite for innovation, the CEO will further Family Day’s momentum, building upon its capacities and strengths.
Whether from child care/early learning or a broader, related not-for-profit sector, the ideal candidate brings the requisite leadership capability, management experience, and passion and commitment to lead Family Day in the development, communication and implementation of strategy and plans to achieve the organization’s mission and goals. While it is understood that a candidate may not possess all of the competencies noted below, it is expected that over time, the candidate will demonstrate most if not all of these aspects:
The CEO is responsible for the implementation of the Strategic Plan and the entire budget of the organization and should ensure that the agency and services operate within the approved framework on an annual basis. The CEO works under the limitations as laid out in the Family Day Board of Directors policy framework and is subject to the limitations laid out in that document.
The CEO works within a framework of clear direction to the staff members who report into the position and will be accountable for all areas of programs and services. The CEO is specifically accountable for the full budget of the organization and in particular the administration budget of the organization.
The CEO is a strategic individual who works from a sound knowledge base related to the main services of the organization. As the leader of the organization, the CEO demonstrates a style and method of leadership that is collaborative and engages a wide range of stakeholder knowledge and opinions. The CEO works with a senior leadership team who oversee programs and services.
Should you have any questions regarding this important and meaningful opportunity, or wish to forward a cover letter and current resume for consideration, please contact:
Chris Sawyer, Partner
1-416-640-4312
csawyer@amropknightsbridge.com
Ed Perkovic, Director of Research
1-416-640-4311
eperkovic@amropknightsbridge.com
Ambar Maqsood, Project Coordinator
1-416-928-4612
amaqsood@amropknightsbridge.com
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