This document was updated in collaboration with the Labour Market Integration Unit, Ontario Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration in April 2007. Requirements may have changed by the time you apply. Please contact the Association of Early Childhood Educators Ontario before completing your application.

Copyright in this Fact Sheet is held jointly by the Queen's Printer for Ontario and the Association of Early Childhood Educators Ontario, © 2007. This career Map may be used or reproduced by any third party for non-commercial, not-for-profit purposes, provided that no fee, payment or royalty of any kind shall be charged by the third party for any further use or reproduction of the Career Map by any person. Any proposed commercial or for-profit use or reproduction of this Career Map requires a written license from the Queen's Printer for Ontario and the Association of Early Childhood Educators Ontario.

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Early Childhood Educators develop and implement activities in early childhood settings for children from infancy to twelve. ECEs are responsible for planning and organizing activities that protect and promote children’s intellectual, physical, social and emotional growth. ECEs are also known as Preschool Teachers, Childcare Workers, Day Care Workers, Child Care Practitioners, Home child care visitor/consultant, Nursery School Teachers, Child care Assistant Supervisors, Day Care Supervisors, Child Care Coordinators. Supervisor and Coordinator positions require at least 2 years experience in the field.
ECEs can be found working in early childhood care and learning settings in Ontario such as:

• Licensed child care centers
• Licensed home daycare
• Private home day cares
• Before and After School programs
• Nursery Schools
• Parent Cooperative Centers
• Pediatric playrooms
• Special education settings
• Home Child Care agencies
• Ontario Early Years Centres
• Community Centre Children’s program
• Family Resource Centres
• Parent/Child/Caregiver Drop in programs

Entry-to-practice requirements in Ontario

The Day Nurseries Act (DNA) is the legislative policy that governs the definition, criteria and operational requirements of “day nurseries” in Ontario. As defined in the DNA, day nursery “means a premises that receives more than five children who are not of common parentage, primarily for the purpose of providing temporary care, or guidance, or both temporary care and guidance, for a continuous period not exceeding
twenty-four hours, where the children are,

1. under eighteen years of age in the case of a day nursery for children with a developmental disability, and
2. under ten years of age in all other cases, but does not include,
3. part of a public school, separate school or private school under the Education Act; ("garderie")"

The Ontario Ministry of Children and Youth Services (MCYS) regulates the Day Nurseries Act. The Association of Early Childhood Educators Ontario (AECEO) and L'Association francophone à l'éducation des services à l'enfance de l'Ontario (AFESEO) are the provincial professional associations recognized by the Ministry to evaluate credentials of individuals who do not hold a recognized Ontario Early Childhood Education diploma and/or degree and determine equivalency eligibility requirements to work as an Early Childhood Educator (ECE) in the province.

The Ministry of Children and Youth Services currently requires that one staff in an Ontario licensed early learning and care classroom must hold one of the following required documents:

1. An Early Childhood Education diploma (from an Ontario College of Applied Arts and Technology),
2. An AECEO Letter of Equivalency Certificate, or
3. Director’s Approval based on a conditional letter of employment issued by the Ministry of Children and Youth Services.

Supervisors of centres must also hold a recognized ECE diploma plus a minimum of 2 years experience.
Other early learning and care programs not requiring licensing with MCYS (e.g. Family resource programs, parent drop in centres, home care, Early Years Centres, boards of education) may set standards in their hiring policy stipulating that an employee must have their ECE diploma in a given position.

The AECEO/AFESEO equivalency process allows people who were previously educated and prepared for working with young children outside of a recognized Ontario Early Childhood Education diploma program to have their credentials evaluated for the purpose of qualifying to work as an ECE in Ontario. Upon receipt of this evaluation and successful completion of possible recommended requirements, the applicant will be issued an AECEO/AFESEO Letter of Equivalency Certificate.

The AECEO, AFESEO and MCYS recognize all Ontario College of Applied Arts and Technology (OCAAT) ECE diploma credentials as valid in Ontario. Persons interested in entering the profession may also choose to approach these recognized Ontario ECE diploma training institutions to review their credentials for advanced standing or transfer of credits towards completion of an ECE diploma. A link to these Colleges of Applied Arts and Technology can be found on the Ministry of Education/Ministry of Training Colleges and Universities website www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/general/postsec/postsec.html

The Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities also offers an ECE apprenticeship certificate program.  To start an ECE apprenticeship, you must have Grade 12 or equivalent and find an employer sponsor willing to provide on-the-job training. The trainer must be qualified as an ECE.   Apprentices study the theory component of their training at an Ontario community college of applied arts and technology (OCAAT), usually during part-time study.  An ECE Apprenticeship Certificate is issued upon completion of this program.  This certificate is not equivalent to an ECE diploma therefore the student must complete several general education courses at an OCAAT College in order to receive the Ontario ECE Diploma.  For more information on the Apprenticeship Program visit: 199.71.28.118/eng/training/apprenticeship/skills/tradeSearch.asp?ontrid=620C

or call Employment Opportunites-1-888-JOBGROW

Important:

Equivalency applicants should be aware that not all ECE diploma programs offered by non-OCAAT training institutions are recognized as valid in Ontario by the AECEO or AFESEO.  As ECE diploma programs will be reviewed periodically, applicants are advised to confirm status of the program with the AECEO/AFESEO prior to enrolment.

Language Requirements

All correspondence, exams, and evaluations involved with the Equivalency process will be in English (if taken at the AECEO) or French (if taken at the AFESEO). As Early Childhood Educators in their workplace setting must be able to articulate their knowledge and communicate effectively with parents, colleagues and children, a working level of English or French comprehension, reading and writing will be expected.

Additional requirements identified by the AECEO/AFESEO will need to be taken at an approved Ontario College of Applied Arts and Technology, where a minimum level of English skills will be necessary to complete college courses.

Demonstration of Canadian Language Benchmark 8 is generally required by Ontario post-secondary institutions for those taking courses at the diploma level.
Please contact the AFESEO for the French equivalent.

Provincial Exams, Registration and Certification

Current legislation states that once you have received your Equivalency or obtained a recognized Ontario ECE diploma, no further registrations, examinations or licensing are required to work as an ECE in Ontario . Further education or upgrading is highly recommended and advocated by the AECEO and AFESEO. As with other professions, it is proven that quality is maintained by ongoing and required professional development. Membership to the AECEO/AFESEO is currently voluntary.

Application Process

PART I: Before you come to Canada

1. View the AECEO/AFESEO website at www.aeceo.ca and/or www.afeseo.ca respectively to download an application form for the Letter of Equivalency.  Complete the application form and mail in to receive the Equivalency package containing Equivalency information handbooks and assessment package.  A link to recognized ECE diploma programs is also available on these websites. Please contact training institutions directly for specific questions about their program. Contact MTCU for apprenticeship opportunities.
2. Review the Handbook to ensure you have all required documentation for submission.

The AECEO/AFESEO requires the applicants to submit the following documentation:

• Copies of original transcript, translated to English and/or French (the name or seal of the institution must be visible)
• Copies of official course outlines, translated to English and/or French and authenticated by an AECEO/AFESEO recognized translator service, may be requested.
• Copy of applicant diploma(s) and/or degree(s) (the seal must be clearly visible)
• Documentation verifying teaching experience in ECE settings and varying age groups from infancy to age twelve. The applicant is required to attach documentation of early childhood work experiences he/she has acquired during his/her formal education and any experience he/she has acquired since. A copy of the job description for each experience must also be supplied.
• Documentation of name change if applicable.

Original translations will be accepted from:

• The consulate, high commission or embassy to Canada of the country that issued the documents
• A Canadian embassy, consulate, high commission in the country from which you emigrated
• A translator accredited by a professional association of translators in Canada. (Contact the Association of Translators and Interpreters of Ontario (ATIO) at 1-800-234-5030 or 613-241-2846)
• Agencies registered with Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants (OCASI)

PART II: When you arrive in Ontario:

• Submit clear copies of required documents with completed application form. Make sure you use a current version of the guide. Current criminal references check reports, CPR/First Aid certification; Immunization records may be required for employment but will not be required for assessment of credentials.

Assessing Academic Qualifications

Step 1 – Submission of Equivalency Application--Checklist:

1. Prepare documents thoroughly. Incomplete application forms will not be processed until all required documents have been received. Note: to avoid delay, if documents such as course outlines are not available or accessible, attach a letter with your application form outlining the reason for its absence.
2. Read and understand The Ministry of Training Colleges and Universities (MTCU) ECE Program Standards. The AECEO/AFESEO will evaluate your courses of study to determine if your credentials meet Ontario standards for Early Childhood Educators. The standards are based on the Ministry of Training Colleges and Universities ECE diploma Program Standards (http://www.edu.go.ca/eng/general/posted/college.html).
3. Complete the Self-Evaluation with care and attention to detail. All applicants must focus their attention on this reflective process. The completed document helps the assessor to appreciate the applicant’s relevant learning. Concrete examples must be offered throughout the self-evaluation.
4. Enclose Initial Administration fee with application.
5. Follow all instructions and meet timelines.

Step 2 – Evaluation (8-10 weeks for processing)

Applicants are informed about the results of the evaluation of their credentials. They will receive a letter stating one of the following results:

1. The applicant has fulfilled some requirements for equivalency in outcome areas and will be given an individual learning plan to complete requirements and proceed to step 3.
2. The applicant has not demonstrated enough of the required learning to be eligible for the process. In this situation applicants will exit the equivalency process and be directed to apply to a recognized ECE college diploma program or directed to the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities 1-888-JOBGROW for apprenticeship training.

Step 3 – Fulfilling Requirements (must be completed in 2 years)

Applicants may be guided to:

1. Write a Knowledge Assessment (see details below).  The results of which will help determine the number of courses required to successfully gain equivalency.
2. Enroll in the recommended courses outlined in the AECEO/AFESEO evaluation in a recognized ECE diploma training institution.

Step 4 – Completion (3 weeks for processing)

Upon completion of all recommended courses, the applicant must then send in an official transcript of their grades along with the completion payment to the AECEO/AFESEO. Applicants will receive their Letter of Equivalency certificate within three weeks.

Knowledge Assessments

Those choosing to or guided to take a Knowledge Assessment must feel confident in both their test taking ability and their knowledge and skills in Early Childhood Education.

The Knowledge Assessment is timed and requires answers to 110 multiple-choice questions and three short essays. There is a book list and preparation guide provided by the AECEO/AFESEO.  Topics that are covered include working with Families, Observation and Assessment of children, Play, Curriculum and Child Guidance, Child Development, and Ontario Legislation.

The Knowledge Assessment is mandatory for those applicants who are unable to provide documentation about their prior education or who have been educated longer then 10 years prior to application.

Whenever an applicant is required by the AECE/AFESEO to complete course requirements for upgrading through a recognized training institution, the institution itself may require the applicant to complete English/French language testing or successful completion of an English/French course as a condition to their enrolment.

The OCAAT Group (Ontario Colleges of Applied Arts and Technology)

There are 25 colleges in the OCAAT group of colleges. Each of these offers an ECE diploma program on at least one of its campuses. Applicants will find that the college programs may differ in both their curriculum and their delivery models. These factors must be considered when fulfilling the equivalency requirements:

Course Content

Applicants for equivalency should look at college web sites to see the structure of the courses that they offer. If the AECEO/AFESEO requires the applicant to take courses in particular subject areas, that content might be delivered in the necessary units at one college differently than at another college.

College Location

Be prepared to match your learning needs with the course offerings from your local college. Distance education, by correspondence or on-line, is offered by some of the colleges.  The AECEO does not differentiate between courses taken in regular classrooms and those taken through distance education as long as the course is taken at an approved Ontario College of Applied Arts and Technology.

Practicum Hours

Most applicants are required to take at least one practicum course. Some of the colleges ECE programs’ allow students to use their work site as a placement setting, while others insist that the student be assigned a practicum setting of the College’s choice.  Options for completion of this component that best meet the applicant’s needs can be discussed with the AECEO.

Equivalency Option for Internationally Trained Early Childhood Educators

Internationally trained Early Childhood Educators have an additional option for credential assessment.  As of September 2006, they may apply to enter a bridging program that recognizes their international training and builds upon it.  Admission requirements for this option include:

1. A demonstrated language benchmark of Canadian Language Benchmark 8
2. Validated work experience in the field
3. A relevant recognized diploma and/or degree to the ECE field
4. A Knowledge Assessment test

Those who meet the admission requirements will proceed to successfully complete four assigned gap training courses and a practicum.  Upon successful completion they will be awarded an AECEO Letter of Equivalency Certificate.

Currently this option has geographic restrictions in availability.  Please check with the AECEO to confirm provincial locations where this is available.

Early Childhood Education Apprenticeship

Apprenticeship is hands-on training for people who enjoy learning by doing. The training provides access to early learning and child care positions that demand a high level of skills, judgement and creativity. Apprentices are paid while gaining work experience.  Apprenticeship training is comprised of workplace mentoring and supervision by qualified ECEs who provide training to standards of skill and safety set by the industry.  The remainder involves classroom instruction on theory, which is given at an approved training delivery agent (TDA).  In the case of ECE programs, this refers to an approved local community college.

Upon completion of the program, ECE apprentices receive an MTCU Certificate of Apprenticeship.  The AECEO does not recognize this certificate as an equivalent credential to an ECE Diploma until the Apprenticeship graduate competes the additional general education courses required by the TDA (OCAAT).  Upon completion of these additional requirements, the Apprenticeship graduate receives an Ontario Community College Diploma.

For more information on this program, contact the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities 1-888-JOBGROW for apprenticeship training.

Labour Market Information

For more information on labour market conditions see Ontario Job Futures on the Human Resources Development Canada (HRDC) Website (www.ontariojobfutures.ca/). In Ontario, this information is available at public libraries or HRDC Employment Resource Centres in your community.

Equivalency Fees and Costs (in Canadian dollars)

Other fees as applicable:

Note:

1. The applicant is responsible for all fees required by the learning institution they attend for any required upgrading.
2. Candidates entering the Bridging Program Option will pay a fee of $300 for the AECEO Equivalency process.
3. Gap training courses offered by OCAAT generally range from $150 - $350 per course.

For More Information

For more information on credential evaluation requirements in Ontario contact:

AECEO
40 Orchard View Blvd
Suite 211
Toronto, ON
Canada
M4R 1B9
Telephone: (416)487-3157
Fax: (416) 487-3758
E-mail: aeceo@bellnet.ca
Web site: www.aeceo.ca/

Or

AFESEO
140, Rue Genest
Ottawa, Ontario
K1L 7Y9
Téléphone : 613 741-5107
Télécopieur : 613 746-6140
Courriel: marylinedion@afeseo.ca
Web site: www.afeseo.ca

For information on Day Nurseries Act and licensing of Day Nurseries in Ontario contact:

Ministry of Children and Youth Services
Early Years Programs Branch
800 Bay St., 6th Floor,
Toronto, Ontario
Canada
M5S 3A9
Phone: (416) 325-5315
Fax: (416) 325-5349
Website: www.children.gov.on.ca

For more information on other Canadian professional associations contact:

Canadian Childcare Federation (C.C.C.F.)
383 Parkdale Ave
Suite 201
Ottawa, Ontario
Canada
K1Y 4R4
Telephone: 1-613-729-5289
Toll Free: 1-800-858-1412
Fax: 1-613-729-3159
E-mail: info@cccf-fcsge.ca
Web site: www.cccf-fcsge.ca/

For information on registered Ontario Colleges of Applied Arts and Technology and their ECE diploma Program Standards contact:

Government of Ontario, Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities
Correspondence and Public Inquiries Unit
14th Floor, Mowat Block, 900 Bay Street
Toronto, Ontario
Canada
M7A 1L2
Toll Free: 1-800-387-5514 or (416) 326-5656
Fax (416) 325-6348
Email: info@edu.gov.on.ca
Website: www.edu.gov.on.ca

For information on where and how to get help with settlement in Ontario contact:

Ontario Council of Agencies Serving Immigrants (OCASI)
110 Eglinton Avenue West, Suite 200
Toronto, Ontario
Canada
M4R 1A3
Telephone: (416) 322-4950
Fax: (416) 322-8084
E-mail: ocasi@web.net
Web site: www.ocasi.org

For information on settling in Ontario, visit www.settlement.org

For a government contact about accessing professions and trades in Ontario:

Government of Ontario
Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration
Labour Market Integration Unit
400 University Ave, 3rd Floor
Toronto, Ontario
Canada
M7A 2R9
Tel: (416) 326-9714 or (416) 314-7541
Fax:(416) 326-6265
E-mail: aptinfo@mci.gov.on.ca
Website: www.ontarioimmigration.ca

For Information on ECE Apprenticeships contact:

Government of Ontario
Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities
www.edu.gov.on.ca
Training Hotline 1-888-JOBGROW

Copyright in this Career Map is held jointly by the Queen's Printer for Ontario and Association of Early Childhood Educators Ontario, © 2007.