Becoming an Early Childhood Educator (ECE)

Turn your love of children into an exciting career

What is an ECE?

An Early Childhood Educator creates a safe and interactive learning environment where children can become lifelong learners. The ECE is a knowledgeable, caring, reflective and resourceful professional. They are valuable contributors engaged in meaningful work. As a R.E.C.E, there are many job opportunities within the field such as:

  • Childcare Site Supervisor

  • Childcare Center Director

  • Children’s Services Supervisor

  • Quality Assurance Coordinator

  • Camp counsellor

  • Child care worker

  • Lead educator

  • Early ON program facilitator

  • Licensed Home Child Care Provider

  • Home Child Care Consultant

  • Resource consultant

With your ECE Diploma you could work in any of these settings/programs:

  • Infant, Toddler, Preschool, School age rooms in childcare

  • Early learning programs such as Early Learning School Readiness Program

  • Programs for families including parenting, pre/post-natal, recreational activities

  • Before/after school care

  • Home Childcare

  • Special Needs programming

  • Quality Assurance programs

Your journey begins

Programs and pathways to becoming an ECE in Timiskaming:
NORTHERN COLLEGE: Early Childhood Education: In person or Online

https://www.northerncollege.ca/program/early-childhood-education/

COLLÈGE BORÉAL: Éducation à la service à l’enfance : En ligne

https://www.collegeboreal.ca/programmes/education-et-services-communautaires-et-sociaux/geen-education-en-services-a-l-enfance

Working in childcare and would like to get your ECE?
SKILLED TRADES ONTARIO
Child Development Practitioner Apprenticeship

https://www.skilledtradesontario.ca/trade-information/child-development-practitioner/

Support for getting there

Grants and Funding Opportunities:
ECE grants: Education grants, travel grants, training allowance.

https://ecegrants.on.ca/

Already an ECE and want more?

Leadership Certifications through ECE Grants

https://ecegrants.on.ca/leadership-certification/#leadership-grant

This program was established to provide financial assistance to Supervisors, front line registered Early Childhood Educators designated to leadership positions and or responsibilities, and to registered Early Childhood Educators aspiring to become Supervisors in the field of Early Childhood Education. The main objective is to fund professional development opportunities in the areas of Pedagogical Leadership in Early Childhood Education, Early Childhood Education administration, management, facilities management, fiscal responsibility, governance, human resources, employment standards, and labour relations.

Example of courses available:
Children’s Mental Health, Bookkeeping, Autism and Behavioral Science, Human Resources, Leadership Development.

Child opening door to home daycare

Do you want to work from home and work in the child care sector?

There is opportunity to work from your own home as a Licensed Home Child Care Provider in the District of Timiskaming.

Licensed Home Child Care Providers create a warm, nurturing environment in their home for children of different ages to learn and grow together.  With low child-to-caregiver ratios, it allows you to give more personal attention, foster relationships, plan quality activities in a family setting. Becoming a Licensed Home Child Care Provider gives you flexibility to develop your own hours from full to part time, and can even include evenings, overnights, and weekends. Support through screening, training, inspections and monitoring is provided by two agencies within our district.

Follow the links below to learn more from: 

Keepers of the Circle (PDF)
Timiskaming Child Care (PDF)