Overview
Early childhood educators plan, organize 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 lead children in activities to stimulate and develop their intellectual, physical and emotional growth and ensure their security and well-being. They are employed in child-care centres, day-care centres, kindergartens, agencies for exceptional children and other settings where early childhood education services are provided.
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 prospects
Annual salary
$34,934
$41,712
$54,226
Job openings
Use this interactive map to explore job openings in different regions across B.C.
Strong job outlook
British Columbia
6,059expected job openings (5-year forecast)
Education and training
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.
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.
Certification requirements
Mandatory: You need the following certifications to practice as Early childhood educators and assistants in B.C.
- Early Childhood Educator Assistant Certificate
- Early Childhood Educator One Year Certificate
- Early Childhood Educator Five Year Certificate
Early Childhood Educator Assistant Certificate
Please confirm with the certifying body that your intended program qualifies you for this certification. To work as an early childhood educator assistant in BC, you must register for the Early Childhood Educator Assistant Certificate. To achieve eligibility, you'll need successful completion of a basic early childhood education program recognized by the ECE registry or equivalent, and a good character reference.
Visit websiteEarly Childhood Educator One Year Certificate
Please confirm with the certifying body that your intended program qualifies you for this certification. To work as an early childhood educator in BC, you must first register for the Early Childhood Educator One Year Certificate. To achieve eligibility, you'll need successful completion of a basic early childhood education program recognized by the ECE registry or equivalent, and a good character reference.
Visit websiteEarly Childhood Educator Five Year Certificate
Please confirm with the certifying body that your intended program qualifies you for this certification. To work as an early childhood educator in BC, you can register for the Early Childhood Educator Five Year Certificate. To achieve eligibility, you'll need successful completion of a basic early childhood education program recognized by the ECE registry or equivalent, a good character reference, and 500 hours of work experience under a Canadian certified Early Childhood Educator.
Visit websitePost-secondary programs in B.C.
Explore programs related to this career offered at post-secondary institutions in B.C.