Entry to School Assistant

Position Type: Entry to School Assistant

Salary Range

$19.10/ hour

Anticipated Start Date: June 29, 2026

Location: Cornell JR PS/ Middlefield Location

This position is for a duration of 8 weeks.

ABOUT US

Strides Toronto Support Services (“Strides Toronto”) Strides Toronto is a multi-service agency supporting infants, children, youth and young adults from birth to age 29, and their families, primarily across east Toronto. We offer community-based, residential and treatment programs—including mental health counselling, autism services, early intervention, day treatment, education, outreach and community support—using a client-centered, evidence-informed approach. Since 2015, Strides Toronto has served as Toronto’s Lead Agency for Infant, Child and Youth Mental Health, partnering with 21 core service providers to provide system leadership, citywide planning, coordinated service delivery and program alignment. Strides Toronto also leads initiatives with broader reach, including Help Ahead [https://helpahead.ca/] and the HOPE Strategy [https://www.hope-strategy.com/] across Toronto and One Stop Talk [https://onestoptalk.ca/]/Parlons Maintenant [https://onestoptalk.ca/fr/] and the Provincial Youth Outreach Worker Program [https://www.ontario.ca/document/2024-2025-mccss-service-objectives-child-welfare-and-protection/2024-2025-services-41] across Ontario.

About the Role

The Entry to School Assistant (Canada Summer Job Position) is for students currently enrolled in a Behavioral Science , Early Childhood Education, Psychology, or, Social Services programs and will assist with the daily operations of the Autism Entry to School Program.

The Entry to School program supports families with children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) who are between the ages of 3 to 6 entering school for the first time.

You will work with therapists in a classroom to deliver a group-based program focused on developing school-readiness skills (i.e., communication, play, social interactions, functional routines, behavioural self-management, and pre-academic skills).

• As funding for this role has partially been provided by the Canada Summer Jobs program the following eligibility requirements must be met by the successful participant (candidate):
• Be between 15-30 years of age, at the start of the employment;
• Have a valid Social Insurance Number (SIN); and
• Be a Canadian Citizen, permanent resident, or someone to whom Refugee Status has been granted/conferred.

International students and other temporary residents of Canada are not eligible.

• What you will do
• Support delivery of group-based preschool services focused on developing school-readiness skills for children ages 3–6 diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary professionals including Speech-Language Pathologists, Occupational Therapists, educators, daycare staff, and school teams
• Assist with implementing Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) teaching strategies including reinforcement, prompting, modelling, shaping, chaining, and fading
• Support children with toileting, feeding, dressing, transitions, and other personal care needs as required
• Assist with observing and documenting children’s skills, strengths, interests, and developmental needs
• Provide day-to-day classroom and administrative support to the Classroom Facilitator and Program Supervisor
• Build positive and respectful relationships with families, caregivers, team members, and community partners
• Help maintain a safe, engaging, and inclusive learning environment for all children

The “must haves”

• The following education, professional memberships and knowledge are a requirement for this role:
• Currently enrolled in ECE, Sociology, Psychology, Behavioural Science program.
• Knowledge of how to use computer programs (eg; publisher, excel, power point)
• Ability to work with a diverse populations.
• Ability to work independently or as a team member with staff, students and volunteers
• Awareness of the role of inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility (IDEA) in the workplace and within the community being served by the position.
• An understanding of anti-black racism, anti-oppressive/anti-racism perspective in the context of the social determinants of health.
• Ability to recognize and identify situations where incidents of imbalance of power and privilege may occur and can result in possible negative impacts.

The ‘nice to haves’

While not required, preference will be given to candidates with the following

• Experience working with children with ASD
• Knowledge of the cultural diversity of communities served by the agency
• Functional computer and client information system knowledge.
• Fluency in another language(s), including sign language

Before starting with us

• As our work puts us in direct contact with youth and vulnerable persons in our community, with health and safety as a priority, the successful candidate must complete or obtain the following before commencement of their employment:
• A Vulnerable Sector police check
• A positive police check does not automatically disqualify an applicant for a position with Strides Toronto. The Police Check will be reviewed and evaluated for the purpose of making a decision on suitability for employment in relation to the specific duties and responsibilities of the position being filled.

• Why join our team?
• We provide opportunities for growth and professional development.
• We are committed to providing an equitable and inclusive environment where our diverse team members and clients can thrive.
• We have a collaborative and supportive Senior Management Team.
• We set high standards for performance, client outcomes, and implement best practices, which are demonstrated through our accreditation with the Canadian Centre for Accreditation.

How To Apply

Please submit a cover letter and resume outlining your demonstrated education, certification (if applicable), working and related volunteer experience and how you meet specific requirements for this position, and any additional considerations you deem appropriate. The application deadline is May 27, 2026.

Strides Toronto is an equal opportunity employer. We benefit from diversity of lived experiences in the workplace and encourage applications from qualified candidates who reflect the diversity of the communities we serve. Strides Toronto is a participant in the Government of Canada’s 50-30 Challenge, a program which challenges organizations to improve access for women and/or non-binary people and other equity-deserving groups, including those identifying as: racialized, Black, and/or people of colour, people with disabilities (including invisible and episodic disabilities), 2SLGBTQ+ and/or gender and sexually diverse individuals, and Aboriginal and/or Indigenous Peoples to increase the representation and inclusion of diverse groups within their workplace.

In accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code, Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act and Strides Toronto’s own policies, requests for accommodation will be considered throughout the hiring process.

We thank all applicants however, only those selected for interviews will be contacted.