How to shine at a YMCA child care hiring event
Thinking about a career in child care? Whether you're just finishing school, changing careers, or already working with children and looking for something new, we’d love to meet you.
A YMCA child care hiring event is a great way to take the next step. You get to meet people who know the roles, ask questions, learn what the positions are about, and maybe even have a short interview. These events happen across the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) throughout the year. Check our upcoming events to find one near you.
What is a YMCA child care hiring event?
It’s like a small, friendly job fair, just for our child care programs. We host them to meet future educators and share what it’s like to work at the YMCA.
To stand out and shine at one of these events, come ready to talk about your experience, share your enthusiasm, and ask your questions about what it’s like to work with us. It’s your chance to show that you care and that you’re ready.
Choose a location that works for your day-to-day life
One way to shine is to attend a YMCA child care hiring event near where you'd like to work. It shows you understand the role and the routine. Some roles, like Before & After School care, have split shifts — you work in the morning and then again in the afternoon. Being nearby helps make those hours more manageable.
Learn about our values as an association
Take a few minutes to read the emails we send before the event. Learn about who we are. The YMCA is a charity that supports children, families, and communities. Visit our website to read about our mission, vision, and values.
You don’t have to memorize anything, but take a moment to reflect on whether our vision and values align with your own. If they do, it’s a great sign you’re in the right place.
Also, check out our Day in the Life or Meet a YMCA Educator videos to see what it’s like on the job.
Bring the right materials to show you’re ready
To stand out and shine, start by being prepared. Make sure your resume highlights your experience with children, whether through work, babysitting, volunteering, or school placements and bring a few copies of it to the hiring event. If you're studying early childhood education or have finished a program, include that as well.
Also, bring your completed Reference Collection Form, which you’ll receive after you register for a child care hiring event. Having this ready helps us move faster if we think you might be a match for one of our roles.
Wear something that makes you feel confident
You don’t need to wear a suit. Choose something that makes you feel your best. If you're comfortable and confident, it’ll show, and we’ll notice.
How to shine during the event
When you arrive, YMCA staff will greet and guide you through the process. We’ll review your documents and, if we can, invite you for a short interview. It helps to be patient and open-minded. Sometimes we can't interview everyone on the spot, but we always collect resumes and consider them for future roles.
Unlike many other hiring events, you’ll meet people who work in our child care programs. This is your chance to ask questions, learn from their experience, and share what excites you about working with children.
Virtual event? Here’s how to shine online
We sometimes offer online YMCA child care hiring events. Just like those in person, virtual events are hosted by passionate people in the child care field, and you get the opportunity to ask questions.
If you're attending one from home, here are a few simple ways to show up your best:
- Test your tech ahead of time to make sure everything works
- Choose a quiet, distraction-free space where you can focus
- Keep your camera on during the interview to help build connections
Even online, your presence, preparation, and personality matter.
Show your passion
We love meeting people who are excited about building their career in child care. Whether you have experience or are just starting out, talk about what inspires you. Tell us how you want to make a difference in a child’s day.
Ask questions, listen closely, and show that you care. That kind of passion shines through.
Final tips for doing your best
- Be on time. Give yourself plenty of time to get there and settle in.
- Bring extra resumes. It can be handy to have a few copies of your resume and Reference Collection Form with you.
- Be yourself. We’re looking for warm, caring people who want to support children as they learn and grow.
- Know what we stand for. We’re a charity with a mission to build healthy communities. Take a look at our values and see how they connect with your own.
If you care about children and want to make a real difference, a YMCA child care hiring event is the perfect place to begin.
We can’t wait to meet you!
