The early childhood educator works in an environment that nurtures a child’s development. He/she plans and leads age-appropriate programs for young children which facilitate their physical, social, emotional and cognitive growth. This can include:

• Establishing learning-enriched and safe environments
• Identifying children’s development level
• Applying observational techniques
• Fostering relationships with children
• Planning developmentally appropriate programs
• Practicing and promoting health
• Cultivating family, culture and social relationships
• Communicating with clients, colleagues, supervisors, health and social care professionals, and the community
• Working with the family
• In short, early childhood educators become effective role models for children • and parents alike.
• Apprentices work in child-care centers or facilities, and pre-school sections of • hospitals and schools.

Program Contact:

Certification

Upon successfully completing the apprenticeship program including both the in-class and on-the-job training components, a person working in this trade is entitled to a Certificate of Apprenticeship.

Benchmark Apprenticeship Duration:
3 to 4 years (5,280 hours)

Educational Requirement
Grade 12 or equivalency

Topics to be covered include:

• Child Development 1
• Creative Arts
• Advocacy and Bias-Free Practice
• Preschool Learning Environment 1
• Preschool Learning Environment 1 Placement
• Child Development 2
• Preschool Learning Environment 2
• Preschool Learning Environment 2 Placement
• School Age Learning Environment
• School Age Learning Environment Placement
• Health, Safety and Nutrition
• Interpersonal Communication
• Infant/Toddler Learning Environment
• Infant/Toddler Learning Environment Placement
• Philosophy of Early Childhood Education
• Preschool Learning Environment 3
• Preschool Learning Environment 3 Placement
• Child, Family, and Community
• Administration
• Child Development 3: Assessment and Inclusion
• Advanced Curricula
• Advanced Curricula Placement