Early Childhood Educators and Assistants – Job Opportunities in Canada

Early Childhood Educators (ECEs) and Early Childhood Educators Assistants play a vital role in the development of young children, fostering their emotional, social, and cognitive growth. Early childhood educators plan and implement child care programs for children between the ages of infancy and 12 years, whereas early childhood educator assistants, under the supervision of early childhood educators, provide care for infants and preschool- to school-age children. They are employed in various settings including child-care centres, day-care centres, kindergartens, and agencies for exceptional children.

Requirements

Early Childhood Educators

• Must complete a 2-4 year college program in early childhood education or a bachelor’s degree in child development.
• For early child educators, licensing is required in all provinces and territories.
• Certification is required for early childhood educators in British Columbia.

Early Childhood Educator Assistants

• Must complete secondary school.
• Must have experience in child care.
• Must complete an early childhood education assistant certificate program or post-secondary courses in early childhood education.
• A candidate must obtain licensing by a provincial or territorial association as an early childhood educator.

Job Titles

• Early Childhood Educator (ECE)
• Early Childhood Supervisor
• Early Childhood Assistant
• Early Childhood Educator - Preschool
• Early Childhood Education Worker
• Early Childhood Program Staff Assistant
• Child Care Worker - Daycare
• Child Care Worker Assistant
• Daycare Supervisor
• Daycare Worker
• Daycare Helper
• Preschool Supervisor
• Preschool Helper

Main Duties

Early Childhood Educators

Some of the main duties of early childhood educators include:

• Develop and implement educational programs to stimulate children's physical, emotional, and social development.
• Monitor and assess children's progress, document their development, and adjust programs as required.
• Discuss the progress or problems with parents and other staff members.
• Assist children with special needs or disabilities, tailoring educational experiences to meet their requirements.
• Ensure the safety and well-being of children at all times, supervising play and activities.
• Assist and guide children in proper eating, dressing, and toilet habits.
• May organize activities for school-age children in child-care programs.
• May supervise activities of other early childhood educators and early childhood educator assistants.
• Promote positive behavior and manage conflicts among children using strategies.

Early Childhood Educator Assistants

Most of the duties of early childhood educator assistants resemble early childhood educators, but there are certain duties assigned particularly to them, which are as follows:

• Assist ECEs in delivering educational activities and supervising children during various activities.
• Prepare snacks and arrange rooms for rest period and lunch.
• Observe children’s activities and behavior, and submit written reports to early childhood educators or supervisors.
• Maintain daycare equipment.
• Engage students in activities promoting physical, emotional, and social development.
• Keep records and may assist early childhood educators or supervisors for the same.