Early childhood educator (ECE)

Work setting

• Child care centre

Responsibilities

Tasks

• Develop and implement child-care programs that support and promote the physical, cognitive, emotional and social development of children
• Storytelling
• Lead activities by telling or reading stories, teaching songs and taking children to local points of interest
• provide opportunities to express creativity through the media of art, dramatic play, music and physical activity
• 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
• Discuss progress and problems of children at staff meetings
• Establish guidelines for behaviour
• Assess the abilities, interests and needs of children and discuss progress or problems with parents and other staff members
• 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
• Plan and organize activities for school-age children in child-care programs before and after regular school hours
• Supervise and co-ordinate activities of other early childhood educators and early childhood educator assistants

Credentials

Certificates, licences, memberships, and courses 

• Member of the College of Early Childhood Educators (CECE)
• Early Childhood Education (ECE) Certificate