Become an Early Childhood Educator

Registered Early Childhood Educators (RECEs) are highly skilled professionals who play a critical role in supporting the growth and development of children from birth to 12 years old. They create safe, engaging environments where children build essential social, emotional and learning skills. Through everyday interactions and intentional learning experiences, RECEs  help children develop the confidence, curiosity and resilience they need to succeed in school and throughout life.

Whether you're exploring your first career, considering a career change or returning to school, learn about education pathways, career opportunities, and resources to help you get started.

A career with a lifelong impact

Early Childhood Educators play an essential role in setting the foundation for a child’s development, learning, and success. Their impact on children, families and communities is foundational and lasts a lifetime.

High demand

RECEs are in demand across Halton's early learning and child care sector. Career opportunities are available with licensed child care providers throughout Burlington, Oakville, Milton and Halton Hills.

Meaningful relationships

RECEs build lasting relationships with children, families and colleagues while working as part of a passionate and dedicated team of early learning and child care professionals.

Career flexibility and settings

A career in early learning provides an opportunity to work in diverse settings that fit your interests, including EarlyON Child and Family centres, child care centres, full day kindergarten classrooms, before and after school care programs, recreation programs and more!

Support thriving communities

RECEs make it possible for families to access quality child care, helping parents and caregivers participate in the workforce. Work in this field directly supports a competitive economy and helps build thriving, resilient communities and families.

No matter where you are in your career journey, there are multiple ways to become part of Ontario’s early learning and child care workforce. Ontario offers many ways to enter the profession, whether you are:

• A high school student exploring future career options
• An adult looking to change careers
• A newcomer to Canada bringing education and experience from another country
• A certified Early Childhood Educator from another Canadian province or territory

To become a Registered Early Childhood Educator (RECE) in Ontario, you must be registered with the College of Early Childhood Educators (external link).

There are different pathways to registration. Most applicants complete an approved ECE  diploma or degree (external link) and then apply to the College of Early Childhood Educators. Individuals who have not completed an approved ECE diploma or degree may still be eligible to apply through the College’s individual assessment process (external link), where their education and experience are assessed for equivalency.

Post-secondary school English-language ECE diploma and degree programs (in and around Halton Region) include:

• Centennial College ECE diploma program (external link)
• Durham College of Applied Arts and Technology ECE diploma program  (external link)
• School of Early Childhood - George Brown Polytechnic (external link) (formerly George Brown College of Applied Arts and Technology) *includes diploma, degree, fast-track and accelerated programs
• Humber Polytechnic ECE diploma program (external link) (formerly Humber College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning)
• Mohawk College of Applied Arts and Technology ECE diploma program (external link)
• Mothercraft College of Early Childhood Education ECE diploma program (external link)
• Niagara College of Applied Arts and Technology ECE diploma program (external link)
• Seneca Polytechnic ECE diploma program  (external link)
• Seneca Polytechnic ECE Accelerated diploma program (external link) (prior education required)
• Sheridan College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning ECE diploma program (external link)
• Sheridan College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning ECE Intensive Program (external link) (prior education required)
• Toronto Metropolitan University Honours Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Studies  (external link)
• University of Guelph-Humber concurrent dual-credential program (external link) (i.e., earn two credentials at the same time)
  • Honours Bachelor of Applied Science in Early Childhood Studies from the University of Guelph
  • Early Childhood Education Diploma from Humber Polytechnic

You can access a full list of post-secondary institutions (external link) (i.e., colleges, universities) offering a College of Early Childhood Educator’s-approved ECE diploma or degree in Ontario and compare program options on the Ontario Colleges portal (external link).

After earning your ECE diploma or degree, the next step is to register and become a member of the College of Early Childhood Educators.

How much do RECEs make?

RECEs working in licensed child care programs typically earn at least $26 per hour, while RECE supervisors typically earn at least $31 per hour. Wages may vary depending on the employer, setting and experience.

Where can RECEs work?

RECEs work in a variety of English-language and French-language settings supporting children and their families, such as licensed child care centres, full day kindergarten classrooms, before and after school care programs, licensed home child care, EarlyON Child and Family Centres, recreation programs and family support programs; RECEs may also work in government or advocacy roles.

Do I need to complete a post-secondary education to become a RECE?

Yes. To become a Registered Early Childhood Educator (RECE) in Ontario, you'll need to complete an approved Early Childhood Education diploma or degree program and register with the College of Early Childhood Educators. Programs typically take two years to complete and combine classroom learning with hands-on placements in early learning and child care settings.

The College of Early Childhood Educators has an individual assessment process for applicants who have different education and experience backgrounds.

If you completed your education or gained work experience outside Canada, the College of Early Childhood Educators may recognize your qualifications through its individual assessment of educational qualifications process. For more information, refer to the Application Guide for the Individual Assessment of Educational Qualifications (external link).

If you are a qualified ECE in good standing in another Canadian province or territory, Ontario’s As of Right labour mobility regulations may allow you to start working immediately in a licensed early learning or child care setting while completing your Ontario certification. You can check the College of Early Childhood Educator’s Ontario Labour Mobility Act information page (external link) for a list of certificates and licences that are considered to match the Certificate of Registration issued by the Ontario College of Early Childhood Educators. More information can be found on the College of Early Childhood Educators website (external link).

What skills can ECEs expect to receive through this education?

ECEs are trained to:

• Recognize and understand how children can develop their social, language, and, cognitive skills, emotional intelligence and physical growth;
• Observe children’s developmental stages and capabilities;
• Create and deliver inclusive play-based learning and care programs to allow children to explore, learn and grow;
• Plan activities to promote learning and build upon children’s abilities and interests; and,
• Build partnerships with families and the community to support children’s well-being.