This group performs some or all of the following duties:

Early childhood educators

• Develop and implement child-care programs that support and promote the physical, cognitive, emotional and social development of children
• Lead activities by telling or reading stories, teaching songs, taking children to local points of interest and providing opportunities to express creativity through the media of art, dramatic play, music and physical activity
• Plan and maintain an environment that protects the health, security and well-being of children
• Assess the abilities, interests and needs of children and discuss progress or problems with parents and other staff members
• Observe children for signs of potential learning or behavioural problems and prepare reports for parents, guardians or supervisor
• Guide and assist children in the development of proper eating, dressing and toilet habits
• Establish and maintain collaborative relationships with co-workers and community service providers working with children
• May plan and organize activities for school-age children in child-care programs before and after regular school hours
• May supervise and coordinate activities of other early childhood educators and early childhood educator assistants.

Early childhood educator assistants

• Support early childhood educators in carrying out programs that promote the physical, cognitive, emotional and social development of children
• Engage children in activities by telling stories, teaching songs and preparing crafts
• Prepare snacks and arrange rooms or furniture for lunch and rest periods
• Assist with proper eating, dressing and toilet habits
• Submit written observations on children to early childhood educators or supervisors
• Maintain daycare equipment and assist in housekeeping and cooking duties
• Attend staff meetings to discuss progress and problems of children
• May assist early childhood educators or supervisors in keeping records.

Employment requirements

Early childhood educators

• Completion of a two- to four-year college program in early childhood education
  or
  A bachelor's degree in child development is required.
• Licensing is required in Ontario and certification is required in British Columbia for early childhood educators. Licensing for early childhood educators is usually required in all other provinces and territories.

Early childhood educator assistants

• Completion of secondary school is required.
• Experience in child care is required.
• Completion of an early childhood education assistant certificate program or post-secondary courses in early childhood education may be required.
• Licensing by a provincial or territorial association as an early childhood educator may be required.

Additional information

• Progression to senior positions, such as daycare supervisor, is possible with several years of experience or with experience and advanced ECE qualification levels.