Introduction 

Early childhood educators are committed to the value and uniqueness of each child. They understand that a child’s early experiences can influence the adult he or she becomes. Early childhood education (ECE) professionals take concepts from many different development theories as well as their own experiences to create a holistic approach to the education of children and for children.

Related Titles 

Daycare Teacher

Major Duties

Early childhood educators need to understand how children learn and develop, not just cognitively, but also physically, socially, and emotionally. They design games and activities that are fun and educational in specific ways. Teaching small children the alphabet requires a different methodology from teaching them why they should share their toys or why it is not acceptable to hit people when they feel angry or frustrated.

As well as daily activities, ECE professionals create weekly or monthly thematic learning programs. They need to be creative and resourceful in planning units and activities that will keep children interested and motivated.

Good early childhood educators will use arts and crafts projects to encourage children to be creative and to learn to express themselves. They will often include music in the curriculum for the same reason.

Early childhood educators try to build close relationships with the parents of the children they care for. They learn about a child’s culture and behavioural expectations while also helping the parents understand the cultures the child is learning from his/her classmates. Parents and educators also share information about children’s personalities, social skills, general development, and physical health.

Qualifications and Requirements 

In order to become a fully qualified early childhood educator, one must have a diploma or degree in early childhood education (ECE). Bachelor’s degrees normally take four years to complete. Diplomas generally take two years of full-time study to complete, and can be obtained at community colleges across Ontario . There are some one-year community college programs to become an early childhood assistant. It is also possible to take courses in early childhood education on a part-time basis. Previous experience as a part-time, summer, or volunteer employee in a daycare facility or community centre is often a requirement.

After two years of experience in the field, graduates of a degree or two-year diploma program may apply for certification by the Association of Early Childhood Educators, Ontario (AECEO). Although certification is not mandatory, many ECE professionals choose to become certified, as certification indicates a level of expertise and may be required for some positions.

Compensation 

Early childhood educators are usually paid by the hour. The average wage is about $11 an hour. Fully qualified Early Childhood Education (ECE) teachers make about $23,000 a year. Assistants make somewhat less. It is not uncommon for ECE professionals to supplement their incomes with other work. Most full-time early childhood educators have paid sick-days, and about half work in centres that provide extended health care benefits.

Only a small percentage of daycare teachers are unionized. Teachers at unionized centres usually earn more than non-unionized ones.

Who are the Employers?

Some daycare centres are private businesses, and may be part of a local or national chain. Other centres are non-profit organizations run by large employers, religious groups, YM/YWCAs, or government or community agencies.

Most daycare teachers work with children between the ages of two and five. However, some daycare centres take infants and/or children up to ten years of age in after-school programs. Some daycare centres specialize in working with children with special needs due to physical, developmental, or behavioural problems.

ECE professionals work in varied jobs in preschool programs, before- and after-school care, camps, hospital paediatric wards, children’s aid societies, private home daycare, rural care, family resource centres, licensed child care programs, schools, recreation programs, private care, cruise ships and resorts.

Job Prospects 

Job prospects in most areas of the province are fair to good.

Professional Association 

Association of Early Childhood Educators, Ontario
Telephone: 16-487-3157
FAX: 416-487-3758
Toll Free: 1-800-463-3391
Email: aeceo@bellnet.ca 
http://www.aeceo.ca/

Other Links

Canadian Child Care Federation
Toll-free: 1-800-858-1412
http://www.ccc f -fcsge.ca

Daycare Providers’ Home Page
http://www.daycareproviders.ca

Daycare Providers’ Beginner Page
http://www.simplydaycare.com(Information and resources for people wanting to start their own daycare services)

The Child Care Advocacy Association of Canada
http://www.childcareadvocacy.ca/ 

The Childcare Resource and Research Unit
http://www.childcarecanada. o rg 

Links to Educational Programs 

Algonquin College ( Ottawa area)
Early Childhood Education Diploma (2-year program)
Early Childhood Education – Intensive (35-Week, 3-semester, Post-Diploma program)

Cambrian College ( Sudbury area)
Early Childhood Education / Distance Education Diploma (4-semester program)Early Childhood Education

Canadore College ( North Bay area)
Early Childhood Education Diploma (2-year program)
One-Year Intensive Early Childhood (1-year program for people with a BA or BEd) 

Centennial College (east Toronto )
Early Childhood Education (Progress Campus)
Early Childhood Education 7010

Collegrave;ge Boreacute;al (Francophone – Sudbury area)
Garde eacute;ducative agrave; l’enfance (Dureacute;e: 2 ans)

Conestoga College (Kitchener-Waterloo area)
Early Childhood Education Diploma (2-year program)Early Childhood Education Resource Teacher – Advanced Studies in Special Needs (4 months)

Confederation College ( Thunder Bay area)
Early Childhood Education Diploma (2-year program)

Durham College ( Oshawa area)
Early Childhood Education Diploma (2-year program)

Fanshawe College ( London area)
Full-time: Early Childhood Education Diploma (2-year program)
Part-time: Early Childhood Administration
Early Childhood Education Diploma (2-year program)
Early Childhood Education – Resource Consultant (post-graduate)

George Brown College (downtown Toronto )
Early Childhood Education

George Brown College / Ryerson University (downtown Toronto )
Early Childhood Education (4-year diploma / degree program)

Georgian College (heartland of Ontario )
Early Childhood Education Certificate (1-year program)
Early Childhood Education Resource Teacher (2-year program)

Humber College (north Toronto)
Full-time: Early Childhood Education Diploma (2-year program)
Part-time: Early Childhood Education: Advanced Studies in Special Needs
Early Childhood Education: Advanced Studies Postgraduate Certificate
Early Childhood Education Certificate – Correspondence
Early Childhood Education Diploma – Correspondence amp; Online Options (4-semester program)

La Citeacute; Colleacute;giale (Francophone – Ottawa area)
Garde eacute;ducative agrave; l’enfance (Dureacute;e: 2 ans)

Lambton College ( Sarnia area)
Early Childhood Education Diploma (2-year program)Child & Youth Care

Loyalist College ( Belleville area)
Early Childhood Education Diploma (2-year program)
Early Childhood Education Diploma – Distance Learning (2-year program)

Mohawk College ( Hamilton area)
Early Childhood Education Diploma (2-year program)
Early Childhood Education – Resource Teacher (Post-Diploma)

Niagara College ( Welland area)
Early Childhood Education Diploma (2-year program)
Early Childhood Education Diploma – Native Option (2-year program)

Northern College of Applied Arts and Technology ( Timmins area)
Early Childhood Education Diploma (2-year program)

Ryerson University (downtown Toronto)
Bachelor of Arts, Early Childhood Education (4-year program)

Sault College (Sault Ste. Marie area)
Early Childhood Assistant Certificate (36-week program)
Early Childhood Education Diploma (2-year program)

Seneca College (Toronto area)
Early Childhood Education Diploma – Accelerated (35-week, 3-semester, program)
Early Childhood Education Diploma (2-year program)
Early Childhood Educator Apprenticeship (3-year Program)

Sheridan College (Oakville area)
Early Childhood Education Diploma (2-year program)
Early Childhood Education – Intensive Post-Diploma (1-year program)

Sir Sandford Fleming College ( Peterborough area)
Early Childhood Education Diploma (2-year program)

St. Clair College (Windsor area)
Childcare Administrators Post-Diploma Certificate – AcceleratedEarly Childhood Education Diploma (2-year program)
Early Childhood Education Diploma – Accelerated – Post-Degree (1-year program)
Early Childhood Education – Concurrent BA/BEd/ECE Diploma (5-year program)
Link for all three above

St. Lawrence College ( Kingston , Cornwall area)
Early Childhood Education Diploma (2-year program)
Early Childhood Education Diploma – Correspondence (2-year program)