Explore Careers - Job Market Report

in
Early Childhood Educators and Assistants  (NOC 4214)
Hamilton--Niagara Peninsula Region
Description |  Titles |  Duties |   Related Occupations

Early childhood educators plan and organize activities for preschool and school-age children. Early childhood educator assistants provide care and guidance to preschool children under the supervision of early childhood educators. Early childhood educators and assistants lead children in activities to stimulate and develop their intellectual, physical and emotional growth. They are employed in child-care centres, kindergartens, nursery schools, agencies for exceptional children, and other environments where early childhood education services are provided, or they may be self-employed. Early childhood educators who are supervisors are included in this group.

child-care worker assistant, child-care worker, day care, day-care helper, day-care supervisor, day-care worker, early childhood assistant, early childhood education worker, early childhood educator, early childhood educator assistant, early childhood program staff assistant, early childhood supervisor, preschool helper, preschool supervisor, preschool teacher.

Early childhood educators perform some or all of the following duties:
  • Develop and implement daily activities that support and promote the development of children
  • Lead children in activities by telling or reading stories, teaching songs, demonstrating the use of simple musical instruments, preparing craft materials and demonstrating their use, providing opportunities for creative expression through the media of art, dramatic play, music and physical fitness, and taking the children to local points of interest
  • Guide and assist children in the development of proper eating, dressing and toilet habits
  • Observe children for signs of learning disabilities or emotional problems and take appropriate action
  • Assess the skills, abilities, interests and needs of children
  • Discuss progress or problems of children with parents and other staff members
  • Establish and maintain collaborative relationships with other community service providers working with children
  • Attend meetings and workshops to develop and discuss new teaching methods
  • May plan and organize activities for school-age children in child-care programs before and after regular school hours
  • May supervise and co-ordinate the activities of other early childhood educators and early childhood educator assistants.
Early childhood educator assistants perform some or all of the following duties:
  • Conduct and monitor activity programs designed for young children
  • Lead children in activities by telling stories, teaching songs and preparing craft materials
  • Prepare and serve snacks
  • Arrange rooms and furniture for lunch and rest periods
  • Assist with proper eating, dressing and toilet habits
  • Submit written observations on children to supervisor
  • Attend staff meetings to discuss progress and problems of children
  • Assist supervisor in keeping records
  • Maintain day-care equipment and assist in housekeeping duties.
Included Cities in Region | Service Canada Offices

Brantford, Burlington, Hamilton, St. Catharines, Niagara Falls, Port Colborne, Stoney Creek, Thorold, Welland, Dundas, Dunnville, Fort Erie, Grimsby, Lincoln, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Simcoe, Bay Beach, Beamsville, Carlisle, Crescent Beach, Crescent Park, Crystal Beach, Delhi, Flamboro, Fort Erie Beach, Fort Erie North, Mississauga Beach, Mulgrave, Oakhill Forest, Old Fort Erie, Point Abino, Port Dover, Ridgeway, Ridgewood, Rose Hill Estates, Shand's Corner, Thunder Bay, Waterford, Wavecrest, Waverly Beach, Woodhouse Acres

View a list of Service Canada offices in this area.

Education & Job Requirements for Early Childhood Educators and Assistants in Hamilton--Niagara Peninsula Region

Education and job requirements can vary by region. Workers in regulated occupations require a licence to work legally. Workers in non-regulated occupations do not require a licence, but employers may have other certification requirements.

Local Employment Requirements

The College of Early Childhood Educators is a self-regulatory body, ensuring the registration of practising early childhood educators (ECEs) in Ontario. The College grants the Registered Early Childhood Educator (RECE) Certificate, which is required by school boards and many other employers. The RECE is available to graduates of approved ECE programs within Ontario, and to graduates of Canadian and international institutions who have been assessed by the College. For more information, consult the College of Early Childhood Educators (www.collegeofece.on.ca).

Most employers require a criminal record check and First Aid certification. Additional requirements include knowledge of the Day Nurseries Act, enhanced security checks, CPR certification, immunization records, tuberculosis clearance and medical exams.

[Report Publication Date: 2012-12-04 |  Source: Labour Market Information - HRSDC ]

Local Skills Requirements

Computers have been introduced into nursery schools as learning aids. Early childhood educators will need computer skills in order to use computers as teaching devices

[Report Publication Date: 2012-12-04 |  Source: Labour Market Information - HRSDC ]

Skills Requirements

There are often specific abilities, aptitudes and knowledge that are prerequisites to obtain employment in an occupation.

Most employers who advertise are looking for workers who have the following experience and skills:

Experience:
0-2 years

Early Childhood Education Skills:
Provide supervision and guidance of daily activities, field trips and special activities. Provide opportunity for creative expression through the mediums of art, dramatic play and music. Plan and develop child care and nursery school programs.

Early Childhood Educator Assistant Skills:
Prepare craft materials and assist children to use them. Conduct and monitor activity programs designed for young children. Guide children in development of proper eating, dressing and toilet habits.

Additional Skills:
Assist in housekeeping duties. Maintain day care supplies and equipment. Assist in maintaining records of children.

List of Associations

AssociationsLink opens in a new window are organizations that may provide news to its members about networking events, professional development and other common issues for people working in the same industry.

CanLearn Searches

  • Programs

    Detailed profiles, requirements and application and admissions information.

  • CEGEPs, Colleges and Universities

    Find the school that best suits your needs.

  • Scholarships

    Information on scholarships, bursaries, grants, and other forms of financial assistance.

[ Source: CanLearn - HRSDC ]

Local Training

Degrees and diplomas in early childhood education are offered at four universities and over 25 public colleges in the province. For more information, consult the following Web sites:
http://www.ontariocolleges.ca
http://www.electronicinfo.ca/

Entry into the profession is also available through apprenticeship. For more information, consult the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities Web site at http://www.tcu.gov.on.ca/.

Some child care related programs are available through registered private trainers in Ontario.
Consult the Ontario Private Career College Search site: http://www.tcu.gov.on.ca/ (search for "Private Career College Search Service).

[ Report Publication Date: 2012-12-04 | Source: Labour Market Information - HRSDC ]
Information for Newcomers

Getting your language skills assessed

If you do not know what your English or French language level is, visit one of the Language Assessment Centres across Canada. They will assess your language level and direct you to the appropriate language training program.

Please consult the Ontario and Canada tabs for more useful information related to education and job requirements.