Appendix F – National Occupational Classification (NOC) 4214: Early Childhood Educators and Assistants
Early childhood educators typically plan, organise and implement programs for children between the ages of infancy and 12 years. Early childhood educator assistants provide care for infants and preschool-to-school-age children under the guidance of early childhood educators. Early childhood educators and assistants usually lead children in activities for stimulating and developing their intellectual, physical and emotional growth. They also ensure the security and well-being of these children. These professionals typically find employment in:
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Child care centres
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Day care centres
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Kindergartens
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Agencies for exceptional children and,
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Other settings where early childhood education services take place
The authorities include supervisors of early childhood educators and assistants in this unit group.
The Example Titles
Some example titles held by these individuals could include:
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Aide (day care)
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Aide (nursery school)
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Assistant early childhood educator (ECE)
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Baby care worker
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Baby care worker assistant
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Baby care workers supervisor
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Child care worker – day care
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Child care worker assistant
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Child care worker – day care
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Co-op day care coordinator
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Coordinator, co-op day care
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Coordinator day care
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Day care aide
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Day care attendant
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Day care coordinator
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Day care helper
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Day care supervisor
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Day care teacher
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Day care worker
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Day care worker assistant
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Early childhood assistant
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Early childhood education worker
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Early childhood educator – junior kindergarten
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Early childhood educator – kindergarten
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Early childhood educator – preschool
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Early childhood educator (ECE)
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Early childhood educator assistant
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Early childhood educator assistant – junior kindergarten
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Early childhood educator assistant – kindergarten
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Early childhood program staff assistant
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Early childhood program supervisor
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Early childhood supervisor
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Early childhood educator (ECE) assistant
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Educator assistant – junior kindergarten
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Helper day care
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Helper nursery school
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Infant day care workers’ supervisor
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Infants’ day care worker
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Nursery school aide
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Nursery school helper
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Nursery school teacher
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Preschool helper
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Preschool supervisor and,
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Teacher day care
The Main Duties
Early childhood educators would typically perform some or all of the following duties:
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Develop and implement child care programs that support and promote the physical, cognitive, emotional and social development of children
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Lead activities by telling or reading stories, teaching songs, taking children to local points of interest and providing them with opportunities for expressing their creativity through the media of art, dramatic play, music and physical activity
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Plan and maintain an environment that protects the health, security and well-being of the children
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Assess the abilities, interests and the needs of children and discuss the progress or problems with parents and other staff members
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Observe children for signs of potential learning or behavioural problems and prepare reports for parents, guardians or supervisors
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Guide and assist children in the development of proper eating, dressing and toilet habits
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Establish and maintain collaborative relationships with co-workers and community service providers who are working with the children
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Plan and organise activities for school-age children in child care programs before and after regular school hours and,
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Supervise and coordinate activities of other early childhood educators and early childhood educator assistants
Early childhood educator assistants could typically perform some or all of the following duties:
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Supporting early childhood educators in carrying out programs that promote the physical, cognitive, emotional and social development of the children
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Engaging children in activities by telling stories, teaching songs and preparing crafts
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Preparing snacks and arranging rooms or furniture for lunch and rest periods
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Assisting with proper eating, dressing and toilet habits
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Submitting written observations on the children to early childhood educators or supervisors
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Maintaining day care equipment and assisting in cooking and housekeeping duties
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Attending staff meetings for discussing progress and problems of children and,
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Assisting early childhood educators or supervisors in keeping records
The Employment Requirements
Early childhood educators would need to have:
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Completed a two to four year college program in early childhood education or a bachelor’s degree in child development
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A licence issued by a provincial or territorial association for early childhood educators (ECE)
Early childhood educator assistants would need to have:
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Completed secondary school
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Experience in child care
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Completed an early childhood education assistant certificate program or post-secondary courses in early childhood education and,
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A licence issued by a provincial or territorial association for early childhood educators (ECE)
Additional Information
These professionals can progress to senior positions such as day care supervisors with several years of experience. Alternatively, they could combine their experience with advanced early childhood educators (ECE) qualification levels.
Classified Elsewhere
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Child care centre administrators i.e. National Occupational Classification (NOC) 0423 – Managers in social, community and correctional services [refer to Appendix G]
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Elementary and secondary school teacher assistants i.e. National Occupational Classification (NOC) 4413 [refer to Appendix H] and,
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Elementary school and kindergarten teachers i.e. National Occupational Classification (NOC) 4032 [refer to Appendix I]