early childhood educator (ECE)

Work setting

• Child care centre

Responsibilities

Tasks

• Assess the children’s development in order to prepare a learning plan tailored to his needs.
• Develop and implement child-care programs that support and promote the physical, cognitive, emotional and social development of children
• Supervise staff, trainees or volunteers
• Synthesize the overall situation of the children and communicate the information to the parents
• Assist early childhood educators in carrying out programs that promote the physical, cognitive, emotional and social development of children
• Lead activities by telling or reading stories, teaching songs and taking children to local points of interest
• Assist early childhood educators or supervisors in keeping records
• Encourage children to express creativity through the media of art, dramatic play, music and physical activity
• Engage children in activities by telling stories, teaching songs and preparing crafts
• Guide and assist children in the development of proper eating, dressing and toilet habits
• Observe children for signs of potential learning or behavioural problems and prepare reports for parents, guardians or supervisor
• Submit written observations on children to early childhood educators or supervisors
• Discuss progress and problems of children at staff meetings
• Knowledge of licensing regulations
• Establish guidelines for behaviour
• Attend staff meetings to discuss progress and problems of children
• Establish and maintain collaborative relationships with co-workers and community service providers working with children
• Plan and maintain an environment that protects the health, security and well-being of children
• Supervise and co-ordinate activities of other early childhood educators and early childhood educator assistants

Credentials

Certificates, licences, memberships, and courses 

• Child development supervisor (ECE level 3)
• Child development worker (ECE level 2)
• Emergency child care first aid and CPR
• Food allergy and anaphylaxis training
• Early Childhood Education (ECE) Certificate
• First Aid Certificate
• CPR Certificate

Experience and specialization

Target audience

• Children

Experience with special needs children

• Children with a mental health disability
• Children with a physical disability
• Children with an intellectual disability
• Children with behavioural issues
• Children with Down syndrome
• Children with allergies
• Children with asthma
• Children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or attention deficit disorder (ADD)
• Children with diabetes

Specialization or experience

• Specialized environmental skills and knowledge

Area of specialization

• Pre-school education

Additional information

Security and safety

• Basic security clearance
• Criminal record check
• Child Abuse Registry check
• Child welfare check
• Medical exam
• Immunization records
• Tuberculosis test
• Bondable
• Vulnerable sector check

Transportation/travel information

• Own transportation

Work conditions and physical capabilities

• Repetitive tasks
• Physically demanding
• Attention to detail
• Combination of sitting, standing, walking
• Bending, crouching, kneeling
• Manual dexterity

Personal suitability

• Punctuality
• Dependability
• Efficient interpersonal skills
• Excellent oral communication
• Excellent written communication
• Flexibility
• Interpersonal awareness
• Judgement
• Reliability
• Team player
• Values and ethics
• Creativity
• Honesty
• Ability to multitask