After-school and youth program roles in Toronto are ideal for students, education graduates, and anyone who works well with children and wants a flexible schedule. Most programs run from 3:00pm to 6:00pm on weekdays, with some morning care shifts, and hiring picks up each fall and January. Here is who is posting right now.
After-school & youth programs currently hiring in Toronto
Sourced from Indeed Canada and employer career pages as of June 1, 2026.
City of Toronto Before & After School Programs
School-Age Program Staff / Supervisor · Multiple Toronto schools · Part-time
The City of Toronto operates licensed before- and after-school programs (operating as Toronto Children's Services) in public schools across the city. Staff roles cover morning care (7:00–9:00am) and afternoon programs (3:00–6:00pm). ECE credentials or relevant experience are preferred but not always required for support roles.
View City of Toronto program openings →YMCA of Greater Toronto
School-Age Program Leader / Supervisor · Toronto & GTA · Part-time & Full-time
The YMCA runs before- and after-school programs in schools across Toronto and also operates day camps and youth leadership programs. Program leader roles are part-time (afternoon hours) but the YMCA often combines roles (before school + after school + program support) to build close to full-time hours for reliable staff.
View YMCA youth program openings →Boys & Girls Club of Toronto
Youth Program Staff / Club Leader · Toronto, ON · Part-time
The Boys & Girls Club of Toronto operates community-based after-school drop-in programs at locations in lower-income neighbourhoods across the city. Staff lead activities, homework help sessions, and recreation programming for youth aged 6–18. Experience working with at-risk or marginalized youth is a strong asset.
View Boys & Girls Club openings →City of Toronto Parks, Forestry & Recreation
Recreation Program Leader / Youth Worker · Multiple community centres · Part-time & Casual
Toronto Parks, Forestry & Recreation (PF&R) operates youth programs at community centres throughout the city, including evening and weekend programming for school-age children and teens. Casual and part-time program leader positions are posted regularly through the City of Toronto jobs portal.
View Toronto recreation program openings →SKETCH Working Arts
Arts-Based Youth Program Facilitator · Toronto, ON · Part-time
SKETCH is a Toronto arts organization providing studio programs and community space for youth aged 16–29 who are street-involved, precariously housed, or otherwise marginalized. Program facilitator roles combine arts facilitation with youth support work. Relevant lived experience is valued alongside professional background.
View SKETCH program openings →Roots to Branches
Youth Program Leader · Toronto, ON · Part-time
Roots to Branches is a Toronto organization offering after-school and holiday programming with a focus on environmental education and outdoor activities. Program leaders run structured activities, nature-based outings, and homework support. Experience with outdoor education is an asset.
Search youth program leader roles in Toronto →Wychwood Barns Community Programs
Program Facilitator / Youth Support · Toronto, ON · Part-time
Artscape Wychwood Barns hosts community programming including youth arts and after-school activities in the St. Clair West area. Facilitator roles involve running arts-based programs and coordinating with community partners. Small non-profit environment.
Browse community program facilitator roles in Toronto →Local Community Centres (Metro Toronto)
Youth Program Staff / Recreation Leader · Multiple Toronto community centres · Part-time & Casual
Neighbourhood community associations (Swansea Area Community Association, East York Community Services, Albion Neighbourhood Services) run independent after-school and youth programs that hire separately from the City. These often post on Indeed, community boards, and local Facebook groups rather than large job boards.
Browse after-school staff roles in Toronto →What working in after-school programs is like
The core hours for most after-school program roles in Toronto are 3:00pm to 6:00pm on weekdays, aligned with school dismissal. Some programs also offer morning care from 7:00am to 9:00am, which means a split-shift day with a long gap in the middle, less convenient for transit commuters but workable if you have other commitments during the day.
On a typical afternoon shift, you will receive children from school buses or classroom pickup, supervise homework time, run a structured activity (arts and crafts, sports, games, science projects), manage snack time, and handle pickup by parents. Child-to-staff ratios in Ontario school-age programs are set by regulation, typically 1:15 for children aged 6–12, so the role is more facilitation than intensive individual attention, but it does require strong group management skills.
The work is physically active (you are moving with children, not sitting), emotionally engaging, and can be demanding when managing challenging behaviours or children who are upset at the end of a long school day. The most effective program staff tend to be energetic, patient, and genuinely good at building rapport with kids of different ages and temperaments.
Pay for after-school program staff in Toronto
Entry-level after-school program staff in Toronto typically earn $17.60–$19/hour, starting at or just above Ontario's minimum wage of $17.60/hour as of October 2025. Most YMCA and community centre roles start in this range for new staff without formal ECE credentials.
Staff with RECe registration, ECE diplomas, or supervisory experience earn $19–$22/hour. Program supervisor and lead roles, which carry responsibility for a full group and staff oversight, typically pay $21–$25/hour.
City of Toronto directly-operated school-age programs pay on CUPE wage grids with annual step increases and full benefits, total compensation is often higher than equivalent private sector roles. The tradeoff is a more competitive application process and longer hiring timelines. For related roles with similar hours profiles, see our daycares hiring in Toronto guide and our tutoring companies hiring guide.
Certifications that help: First Aid, CPR, police check
Three credentials are either required or strongly expected at nearly all Toronto after-school programs:
- Standard First Aid and CPR Level C. Required at most licensed program sites. The certification is valid for 3 years and costs $75–$120 through providers like St. John Ambulance or the Red Cross. Get this before you apply, it removes a hiring barrier and signals preparedness.
- Vulnerable Sector Police Check. Required at all organizations working with children. Apply as soon as you start job searching, processing through the Toronto Police Service takes 4–8 weeks and employers will not hire without it.
- Safe Food Handling (if snack preparation is part of the role). Not always required, but programs that prepare or serve food often ask for or encourage this. A short online course costs $30–$40 and takes a few hours.
Additional credentials that strengthen applications: RECe registration (for school-age care roles), Child Development Worker (CDW) certificate, or Non-Violent Crisis Intervention (NVCI) training (particularly relevant for roles serving high-needs youth). Many employers will reimburse the cost of NVCI training for staff they hire, ask during the interview.
Frequently asked questions
What hours do after-school program jobs typically run in Toronto?
Core after-school hours are 3:00pm to 6:00pm on weekdays. Programs with morning care component run 7:00am to 9:00am in addition. Some organizations combine before school, after school, and program support work to build near-full-time hours for reliable staff.
Do I need an ECE diploma to work at a Toronto after-school program?
Not for support or program leader roles at most organizations. RECe registration is not required for school-age care staff positions the same way it is for licensed daycare infant and toddler rooms. Many organizations hire candidates with relevant experience, First Aid, and a clean vulnerable sector check. ECE credentials are an asset for supervisor roles.
What pay should I expect starting at a YMCA after-school program in Toronto?
YMCA Toronto after-school staff roles typically start at $17.60–$19/hour for new staff. With ECE credentials or relevant experience, starting pay can be $19–$21/hour. The YMCA is one of the larger employers in this sector and posts roles across dozens of school sites.
How long does a vulnerable sector police check take in Ontario?
A vulnerable sector check through the Toronto Police Service typically takes 4 to 8 weeks. Private providers like BackCheck or Sterling can sometimes turn it around in 1 to 3 weeks at higher cost. Start the process immediately when you begin applying, most employers will not set a start date without it.
Are after-school program jobs good for university students?
Yes, the hours are well-matched to university schedules. Core shifts (3:00–6:00pm) don't conflict with morning classes, and the flexible start-of-term hiring timeline aligns with September academic calendars. Many Toronto students work in after-school programs throughout their undergraduate years.