Durham Early Learning & Child Care Career Hub
Growing Durham Together
Whether you’re exploring a career in Early Learning & Child Care, looking for your next opportunity, or hiring talented educators, Growing Durham Together is your gateway to Durham Region’s Early Learning & Child Care sector.
Powered by Jobs First Durham, this hub brings together career information, local labour market insights, employment opportunities, training pathways, and workforce resources—all in one place. Whether you’re just beginning your career journey, advancing within the sector, or seeking workforce solutions for your organization, you’ll find the tools, information, and support you need to succeed.
Choose the pathway below that best matches your goals and discover the resources, opportunities, and workforce tools available to support Durham Region’s Early Learning & Child Care community.
Jobs First Durham: Your Local Career & Workforce Platform
Whether you’re exploring a career in Early Learning & Child Care, searching for your next opportunity, or recruiting talented educators, Jobs First Durham provides the tools and information you need to make informed decisions.
Designed specifically for Durham Region, Jobs First Durham combines local job opportunities with real-time labour market information, career planning tools, and workforce resources—all in one free platform.
Create a free account to personalize your experience, receive job alerts, save searches, build professional resumes and cover letters, and explore opportunities that match your skills and interests. Employers can connect with local talent, access workforce insights, and promote opportunities to a growing network of job seekers.
Additional Resources
Growing Durham Together connects you with career information, local opportunities, labour market insights, and practical tools available through the Durham Workforce Authority and Jobs First Durham. The trusted organizations below provide additional guidance on Ontario’s Early Learning & Child Care system, education and professional registration, sector standards, and financial assistance.
Program requirements, funding, and eligibility criteria can change. Review the information on each organization’s website and contact the organization directly if you need help determining whether a resource is right for you.
Early Learning & Child Care
Explore information about Ontario’s Early Learning & Child Care system, the principles that guide professional practice, and the legislation governing child care programs.
Regional Municipality of Durham – Child Care and Early Years
Find local information for educators, child care operators, children, and families. The Region’s website includes professional resources, information about becoming a Registered Early Childhood Educator, supports for child care operators, and updates about Durham’s Early Learning & Child Care system.
Ontario Ministry of Education – Child Care Rules in Ontario
Learn about Ontario’s licensed and unlicensed child care system, provincial requirements, staff qualifications, health and safety standards, and the responsibilities of child care providers.
How Does Learning Happen? Ontario’s Pedagogy for the Early Years
Explore Ontario’s professional learning resource for educators and others working in Early Learning & Child Care. The document encourages reflective practice and describes four foundations that support children’s learning and development: belonging, well-being, engagement, and expression.
Child Care and Early Years Act, 2014
Review the provincial legislation that governs child care and early years programs in Ontario. The Act establishes requirements intended to support the health, safety, development, and well-being of children receiving care.
Education, Professional Registration & Development
Use these resources to compare education pathways, understand professional registration, and access learning and networking opportunities.
College of Early Childhood Educators
Learn about the education and registration requirements for becoming a Registered Early Childhood Educator in Ontario. The College regulates the profession and provides information about professional standards, the Code of Ethics, the Continuous Professional Learning program, and applying with qualifications earned outside Ontario or Canada.
Association of Early Childhood Educators Ontario
Access professional learning, sector information, advocacy initiatives, networking opportunities, and other supports for Early Childhood Educators and members of Ontario’s early years workforce.
Durham College – Early Childhood Education Diploma
Explore a local ECE diploma program combining academic study with field-placement experience. Graduates may apply to the College of Early Childhood Educators for registration, subject to the College’s requirements.
Durham Catholic District School Board – Childcare Assistant Training Program
Prepare for employment as a child care assistant through a program that combines classroom learning, industry-recognized certifications, employability preparation, and practical experience in a licensed child care setting. Review the program website for current admission requirements, schedules, and availability.
Before enrolling in any program: Review the College of Early Childhood Educators’ applicant requirements if your goal is to become an RECE. Completing a program related to children, education, or child care does not automatically make a graduate eligible for registration.
Funding & Financial Assistance
Education funding depends on factors such as the program, institution, course load, employment history, and individual financial circumstances. Review the eligibility requirements carefully before applying.
Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP)
OSAP offers grants and loans to eligible students attending approved post-secondary programs. Use the online information and estimator to learn about eligibility, available assistance, application requirements, and repayment responsibilities.
Early Childhood Educators Qualifications Upgrade Program
Eligible individuals already working in early years settings may be able to receive financial support while completing an ECE diploma and working toward eligibility for membership with the College of Early Childhood Educators. Available assistance may include an education grant, travel grant, and training allowance.
Ontario Student Loans, Grants, Scholarships and Bursaries
Explore broader provincial information about financial assistance for post-secondary education. Available supports may include government grants and loans, institutional scholarships, bursaries, and other programs based on financial need, academic achievement, or personal circumstances.
Important: Funding is not guaranteed, and eligibility requirements can change. Confirm that your institution and program qualify before making education or financial commitments.
Working Together to Strengthen Durham’s Early Learning & Child Care Workforce
Growing Durham Together; Durham’s Early Learning & Child Care Career Hub is a collaborative initiative of the Durham Workforce Authority, funded by the Regional Municipality of Durham, to connect educators, employers, and job seekers with the information, tools, and opportunities they need to build a stronger Early Learning & Child Care workforce across Durham Region.