Resources for Educators
Build Your Future in Early Learning
A career in Early Learning & Child Care is an opportunity to support children during some of the most important years of their development while making a meaningful difference for families and communities across Durham Region.
Whether you’re exploring the sector for the first time, choosing an education pathway, preparing to become a Registered Early Childhood Educator, or looking to grow within the profession, this page brings together the information and tools you need to move forward.
Explore career roles, local education and training pathways, professional registration requirements, current employment opportunities, professional learning resources, and free Jobs First Durham tools designed to support every stage of your career.
Choose the pathway below that best reflects where you are in your career journey.
View Current Job Opportunities in Child Care and Early Learning
Resources for Future Educators
A career in Early Learning & Child Care offers the opportunity to support children’s learning, development, and well-being while making a meaningful contribution to families and communities across Durham Region.
Whether you’re entering the workforce, considering a career change, or exploring your education options, there are different ways to begin. Learn about the roles of Early Childhood Assistants and Registered Early Childhood Educators, explore local education and training pathways, and understand the professional registration requirements that may apply to your career goals.
Use the resources below to compare your options, make informed decisions, and identify the pathway that is right for you.
Explore Your Role
Early Childhood Assistant (ECA)
Assistants support educators in caring for children and delivering daily activities in early learning settings. Working as an assistant can provide valuable experience and an opportunity to explore the sector before pursuing further education. Training and experience requirements vary by position, so review each job posting carefully.
Registered Early Childhood Educator (RECE)
RECEs plan and deliver play-based learning and care programs that support children’s development and well-being. To use the title early childhood educator or registered early childhood educator in Ontario, you must be registered with the College of Early Childhood Educators.
Explore Education Pathways
The education or training you need depends on the role you want to pursue. Some programs prepare participants to begin working in child care assistant roles, while an approved Early Childhood Education diploma can provide the educational foundation required to apply for registration as a Registered Early Childhood Educator.
When comparing programs, consider the credential offered, admission requirements, program length, delivery format, field-placement opportunities, and how the training connects to your long-term career goals.
Durham College Early Childhood Education Diploma
Durham College’s Early Childhood Education diploma combines in-person academic learning with three field placements supervised by Registered Early Childhood Educators. Students develop the knowledge and practical skills needed to support the social, emotional, cognitive, language, and physical development of children from infancy to age 12.
The program covers child development, play-based curriculum, inclusive learning environments, health and safety, working with families, professional communication, and the legal and ethical responsibilities of the profession. After completing the diploma, graduates can apply to the College of Early Childhood Educators to become Registered Early Childhood Educators in Ontario.
DCDSB Childcare Assistant Training Program
The DCDSB Childcare Assistant Training Program is a 20-week employment-training program that combines classroom instruction with a cooperative education placement in a licensed child care setting. Participants learn about child development, child care programming, relevant legislation, and the day-to-day responsibilities of supporting children and educators.
The program also includes certifications such as First Aid and CPR, Safe Food Handling, Infection Control, CCEYA, and WHMIS. Participants can earn six credits toward an Ontario Secondary School Diploma. This program prepares participants for child care assistant roles but does not qualify graduates to register as RECEs.
Considering Another Program?
Before enrolling, review the College of Early Childhood Educators’ education and registration requirements and confirm how the credential relates to your intended role.
A program may provide valuable knowledge and experience working with children without meeting the educational requirements for RECE registration. Confirming this information before enrolling will help you choose a pathway that supports your career goals.
Understand Professional Registration
Early Childhood Education is a regulated profession in Ontario. The College of Early Childhood Educators establishes the registration requirements, ethical and professional standards, and ongoing learning expectations for Registered Early Childhood Educators.
The titles Early Childhood Educator, ECE, Registered Early Childhood Educator, and RECE are protected in Ontario. Individuals who use these titles or perform work that falls within the regulated scope of Early Childhood Education must be registered members of the College unless a specific exemption applies.
Education and Registration Are Separate Steps
Completing an Early Childhood Education diploma or another recognized educational pathway does not automatically make someone an RECE. After completing the required education, graduates must apply to the College and satisfy its registration requirements before using a protected professional title.
The College’s applicant resources can help you:
- Determine whether you are required to register
- Review accepted educational qualifications
- Understand the application process
- Prepare the documentation required to apply
- Learn about language-fluency and other registration requirements
- Explore the assessment process for qualifications completed outside Ontario
Did You Study Outside Ontario or Canada?
If you completed your education elsewhere, consult the College before enrolling in additional training. The College can provide information about how your qualifications may be assessed and whether additional education or documentation may be required.
Understanding the assessment process first can help you avoid repeating education unnecessarily and make a more informed decision about your next step.
Explore Registration Requirements and Apply to the College
Make an Informed Career Decision
Choosing a career or education pathway is a significant decision. Before enrolling in a program, take time to understand the work, compare potential education costs with expected earnings, and explore current demand for early childhood educators and assistants in Durham Region.
Jobs First Durham provides local information to help you look beyond general career descriptions and consider how the occupation aligns with your interests, circumstances, and goals.
Career Library
Explore detailed information about early childhood educators and assistants, including:
- Typical job duties and responsibilities
- Education and employment requirements
- Skills used in the occupation
- Local wages and salary information
- Active job postings and hiring activity
- Employers recruiting in Durham Region
- Related career and skill pathways
Use the Career Library to understand what employers are looking for and what working in the sector may involve before choosing your education or training pathway.
Career Calculator
Use local labour market information to explore the potential return on investment of pursuing a career in Early Learning & Child Care. The calculator considers factors such as education costs, program length, potential earnings, and current hiring demand.
Enter information about your present circumstances and select Early childhood educators and assistants (NOC 42202) as your target occupation. You can then compare your current and potential income, examine local job-posting activity, and consider how the required education may affect your longer-term financial outlook.
The results are intended to support your research rather than replace advice from an education provider, the College of Early Childhood Educators, or a qualified career or financial advisor.
Use these tools together to understand the profession, compare your options, and choose a pathway that supports your career goals.
Resources for Current Educators
Your career in Early Learning & Child Care can continue to grow alongside the children, families, and communities you support. New qualifications, professional learning, and practical experience can help you strengthen your practice, take on new responsibilities, and explore different opportunities within the sector.
Whether you’re working as a child care assistant, maintaining your professional learning as an RECE, pursuing additional education, or searching for your next position, you’ll find resources here to support your goals.
Explore flexible education pathways, professional development opportunities, local job postings, and free Jobs First Durham tools designed to help you develop your skills and advance your career in Durham Region.
Build on Your Experience
Experience gained while working in Early Learning & Child Care can provide a strong foundation for further education and career growth. If you’re already employed in the sector, flexible study and apprenticeship options may allow you to continue working while developing additional knowledge, completing a credential, or preparing to apply for registration as an RECE.
Before choosing a pathway, consider your current role, previous education, work experience, schedule, and long-term career goals. Program admission and apprenticeship requirements differ, so review each option carefully and speak with the education provider before applying.
Durham College Part-Time ECE and Apprenticeship Pathways
Durham College offers two flexible pathways for people interested in becoming Registered Early Childhood Educators:
Part-Time Early Childhood Education Diploma
Complete the ECE diploma through asynchronous online courses designed to provide flexibility for people balancing education with work and other responsibilities. The program combines theoretical study with practical learning and includes three field placements. After completing the diploma requirements, graduates can apply to the College of Early Childhood Educators for registration.
Child Development Practitioner Apprenticeship
Designed for people already working in Early Learning & Child Care, this pathway combines part-time classroom instruction with supervised, on-the-job learning. Participants must have an eligible employer willing to sponsor their apprenticeship and must register as apprentices before beginning their in-school training.
After completing the apprenticeship requirements, graduates can explore Durham College’s bridge requirements leading to an Early Childhood Education diploma and potential application for registration with the College of Early Childhood Educators.
Use Durham College’s pathway comparison to review program length, course delivery, placement expectations, admission requirements, costs, and the steps associated with each option.
Continue Your Professional Learning
Professional learning helps educators remain current, strengthen their judgment, reflect on their practice, and respond to the changing needs of children and families. It can also support career advancement, leadership development, and greater confidence in the workplace.
Professional-learning responsibilities and opportunities vary depending on your role. RECEs must meet the requirements established by the College of Early Childhood Educators, while educators and assistants throughout the sector can participate in additional learning offered by the Region of Durham and other organizations.
Continuous Professional Learning Program
The College of Early Childhood Educators’ Continuous Professional Learning program supports RECEs in enhancing their knowledge, strengthening their professional judgment, and improving their practice throughout their careers. Participation is required for all RECEs, regardless of their employment status, role, or practice setting.
New members begin with required introductory learning, including the Expectations for Practice Module and Sexual Abuse Prevention Program. RECEs then participate in an annual portfolio cycle grounded in self-reflection, self-directed learning, and the College’s Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice.
Visit the College’s website or sign in to My College Account to review your current requirements, completion deadlines, portfolio resources, and compliance information.
Region of Durham Resources for Child Care Professionals
The Region of Durham provides local learning opportunities and practical resources for people working throughout the Early Learning & Child Care sector. Offerings may include live workshops, speaker series, inclusion-focused learning, leadership development, special-needs resourcing, and self-directed recorded training.
Educators, assistants, supervisors, and other child care professionals can use these resources to strengthen their practice, explore emerging sector priorities, and connect professional learning with the needs of children and families in Durham Region.
Review the page regularly for current sessions, registration opportunities, prerecorded training, and newly added resources.
Find Your Next Opportunity
Your next role may offer a different work setting, schedule, area of responsibility, or opportunity for professional growth. Jobs First Durham brings together local employment opportunities and career tools to help you explore what is available across Durham Region.
Before applying, review each posting carefully. Consider the responsibilities, qualifications, wage, benefits, schedule, location, and employment type, as well as how the opportunity aligns with your experience and longer-term goals.
Current Job Opportunities in Child Care and Early Learning
View current Durham Region opportunities associated specifically with Early childhood educators and assistants (NOC 42202). This focused list provides a quick way to find openings connected to the occupation without searching through unrelated positions.
Job postings may include opportunities for RECEs, child care assistants, supply staff, school-age educators, supervisors, and other related roles. Select a posting to review the complete description and apply through the employer’s original website.
Jobs First Durham Job Board
Search employment opportunities collected from dozens of online job sources in one place. Use keywords such as Registered Early Childhood Educator, RECE, Early Childhood Assistant, or child care to find relevant postings.
Refine your results using filters such as:
- Occupation
- Location
- Full-time or part-time
- Permanent, temporary, or contract
Reviewing a range of postings can also help you identify frequently requested skills, certifications, experience, and qualifications before preparing your application.
Jobs First Durham Job Map
Explore employment opportunities geographically to see where employers are located throughout Durham Region. Search by keyword and apply filters to narrow the results to positions that match your interests.
The map can display job opportunities alongside information such as Durham Region Transit routes, child care centres, employment services, and other community resources. Use these layers to consider travel time, transportation options, and whether you can reliably reach the work location before applying.
Prepare to Apply
A strong application should clearly connect your experience and qualifications with the requirements of the position. Tailoring your resume and cover letter for each opportunity can help an employer quickly understand what you would bring to the role.
Before submitting your application:
- Review the posting for required qualifications and certifications
- Confirm that your RECE registration or other credentials are current, where required
- Highlight experience relevant to the age group and work setting
- Include skills such as programming, documentation, family communication, inclusion, and teamwork
- Follow the employer’s application instructions carefully
- Proofread your documents and confirm that your contact information is current
Resume Builder
Create and customize a professional resume using Jobs First Durham’s online templates. Highlight your education, professional registration, certifications, employment history, field placements, volunteer experience, and relevant skills.
Create tailored versions for different opportunities so the information most relevant to each employer is easy to find. A free Jobs First Durham account is required to access this tool and save your work.
Cover Letter Generator
Develop a customized cover letter that connects your background with the responsibilities and qualifications identified in a job posting. Use it to explain your interest in the opportunity, highlight relevant experience, and demonstrate how you can contribute to the employer’s early learning environment.
Review and personalize the generated letter before submitting it. Add specific examples from your experience and confirm that the employer’s name, position title, and other details are accurate. A free Jobs First Durham account is required to use this tool.
Create Your Personalized Jobs First Durham Account
Whether you’re preparing to enter the Early Learning & Child Care sector or looking for your next opportunity, a free Jobs First Durham account can bring the tools and information most relevant to you into one personalized dashboard.
Instead of repeating the same searches each time you visit, you can identify the occupations, sectors, employers, and skills you want to follow. Jobs First Durham will then use those preferences to create a job feed focused on your interests and career goals.
Personalize Your Job Search
Create an account to:
- Follow Early childhood educators and assistants as an occupation
- Follow the child care services sector
- Select employers you’re interested in
- Add your education, certifications, and skills
- Receive a personalized feed of relevant opportunities
- See how closely your skills align with individual job postings
- Save searches and job postings for future reference
- Access career and labour market information through your dashboard
Your account can be updated as your circumstances change. Add new qualifications, revise your skills, follow additional employers, or adjust your preferences as you complete training and progress through your career.
Create Professional Application Materials
A Jobs First Durham account also gives you access to the Resume Builder and Cover Letter Generator.
Use these tools to create, save, and customize application materials for different opportunities. Tailoring your resume and cover letter allows you to emphasize the education, registration, certifications, experience, and skills most relevant to each employer.
Build Your Personalized Job Feed
After creating your jobseeker account:
- Follow Early childhood educators and assistants as an occupation.
- Add the child care sector and any employers that interest you.
- Review the available skills and select those that reflect your experience.
- Visit your dashboard to view your personalized job feed.
- Continue updating your profile as you gain experience, complete training, or earn new credentials.
Jobs that align with the skills added to your profile may display a match indicator, helping you quickly identify opportunities that connect with your background. Always review the complete posting to confirm that you meet the employer’s requirements before applying.
Learn How to Create Your Account
Choose the format that works best for you. Watch the step-by-step video for a visual walkthrough, use the illustrated guide for quick reference, or follow the detailed written instructions.
Step-by-Step Video Instructions
Illustrated Guide to Account Creation for Educators
Follow visual instructions for registering as a job seeker, choosing your career interests, identifying your skills, and setting up a personalized job feed.
Written Guide to Account Creation for Educators
Use the detailed written instructions to complete each stage of account creation and personalize your Jobs First Durham dashboard.
Get Started Today!
Creating an account is free and gives you ongoing access to personalized job opportunities, application tools, and local career information.