As this public health emergency unfolds we know many educators and early years staff have questions related to work and financial support. Here is the best information we can gather at this time. 

As the professional association for Registered Early Childhood Educators in Ontario, the AECEO is deeply concerned about the health and well-being of early childhood educators as the COVID-19 situation unfolds. In addition, the lack of decision-making and leadership from the Ministry of Education in providing clear direction to the child care and early years sector, subsequent to the closure of Ontario Public Schools, is highly problematic.

We are concerned that increased demand for the care of children who cannot attend their regular program/school may fall disproportionately to underpaid early childhood educators and other low-waged care workers. This also highlights the devaluation of care work and the incohesive ‘system’ that continues to make care an individual as opposed to collective responsibility.

The lack of decent work for early childhood educators amplifies pressures to attend work despite feeling ill, emergent need to care for family members, or other reasons related to COVID-19. In order to care-well for our communities, we need structures in place which ensure that early childhood educators and other early years staff are safe, healthy, and experience well-being through decent work.

As such we call on the Provincial Government to immediately:

· Make a clear decision and consider all best measures to ensure public health and well-being, including early childhood educators and early years staff.

· Ensure all early childhood educators and early years staff have protection for lost wages and work due to COVID-19

· Protect child care and early years programs and parents from lost income due to COVID-19.

· Ensure income and job protection for educators and parents affected by COVID-19

· Provide the early years and child care sector clear next steps.

· Implement adequate paid sick days for all workers.

· Restore 10 days of job-protected emergency leave days for all workers.

· Prevent employers from asking workers to provide doctors’ notes when they access paid sick days or job protected emergency leave.

As well, we call on the Federal Government to implement emergency measures to increase access to Employment Insurance (EI) and create an emergency fund for those experiencing a loss or interruption of earnings, and for those who cannot access EI.

In a recent memo, the Ministry of Education has clarified that, “The Ministerial Order does not apply to child care … Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health, Dr. David Williams is asking that all licensed child care centres actively check children, parents, staff and visitors for any symptoms and ask about recent travel history that may be related to COVID-19. It is critical that we keep COVID-19 out of our child care spaces.” The AECEO acknowledges the collective responsibility of all citizens to protect community health. However, downloading responsibility to combat COVID-19 to individual early childhood educators, childcare workers, and programs, is highly negligent and inappropriate.

We urgently call on the Ontario government to take full responsibility for ensuring public well-being, including that of early childhood educators and early years staff.

Winter/Spring 2020 issue of the eceLINK!

The College of Early Childhood Educators (The College) has recently proposed reviewing their entry to practice requirements and the establishment of additional membership categories. Consultation has begun with subject matter experts and employers, requesting feedback on their Modernizing Membership proposals. The College has communicated that they are in the preliminary stages of consultation, and broader feedback will be collected in a future phase. 

The AECEO is consulting our members, so that they may share their thoughts, concerns, or questions regarding the Modernizing Membership proposals with us. We will reflect those thoughts in our own feedback to the College regarding these changes. Please send responses to [email protected] by March 13, 2020. 

This consultation process takes the form of three online surveys that can be completed after watching three 9-15 minute videos.

The first video concerns a proposed new requirement for registration with the College. The College is proposing that it establish a 15 hour online learning “module” entitled Preparation for Regulated ECE Practice (PREP) as an additional requirement for registration. The intent of this registration requirement is to assure the College “that before an ECE begins practising in Ontario, they have sufficient knowledge and understanding of what it means to be an ECE and what an ECE's responsibilities in Ontario are.”

The second presentation and survey concern a proposed new membership group for ECEs. Specifically, the College is proposing developing  an Extended Class of membership entitled “Extended Class – Supervision Specialty”. The video states that supervision and administration in the EYCC sector requires additional knowledge and skill. To register with the College in an Extended Class – Supervision Specialty, applicants would require,  “A minimum of three years of post-secondary education that includes successful completion of a graduate certificate program in early childhood administration in Ontario”. The College would establish a set of additional standards of practice for the Supervision Specialty which members of this class must uphold. Further, members of the Extended Class - Supervision Specialty would be required to participate in the College’s Continuous Professional Learning (CPL) program with specific requirements for ECE (Extended Class – Supervision Specialty) members.

Mentioned in the French videos and transcript is an additional proposal for the College to create a category for early childhood resource consultants who are not ECEs and therefore do not meet the College’s current registration requirements. To register for this category, applicants must have completed training in early childhood education or in a field related to early childhood resource counseling services. 

The final video presents the College’s proposal to establish a Non-Practising Class for ECEs. To maintain membership with the College, members of this Non-Practising Class would pay an annual renewal. These members would be allowed to use the titles of RECE or ECE but would be required to specify that they were part of the Non-Practising Class. These members would be prohibited from practising Early Childhood Education in Ontario as long as they were in the Non-Practising Class. It is stated that the College is “still considering whether it would require Non-Practising Class members to participate in CPL”.

Please note, these are summaries of the proposal initiatives. The full transcripts and links to complete the surveys can be accessed here, and will be available until Friday, March 13th.

On March 7th the AECEO brought together over 200 educators to think, learn, and discuss at the Framing Our Future Kindergarten Summit. From the opening words of Decent Work advocate Jenn Miller, to the rousing call to action from Olivia Chow, the event focused on possibilities and solutions for decent work in Full Day Kindergarten.

Participants were able to learn from educators with lived experience in many areas, and took part in profound discussion throughout the day. Our organisation was able to learn much from participants, and we are grateful to all those who  attended.

Participant feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with comments such as "I'm not the only one who feels this way", and "We need to work together to change the system for everybody".
Many participants have already signed up to join FREE online leadership training with Olivia Chow and her team, this training (the first of many opportunities to gain leadership and advocacy skills) is aimed specifically at educators in the FDK system.We invite those of you who couldn't make it to the summit to register for this opportunity to stay connected (and to participate in no-cost CPL) sign up here: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/icl-x-aeceo-online-training-ser…

As part of the AECEO and the Ontario Coalition for Better Child Care's project on Early Learning and Child Care Human Resources Innovation and Decent Work, we are pleased to present our new HR Innovation Toolkit. 

The HR Innovation Toolkit begins to address recruitment and retention challenges in early learning and child care (ELCC) across Canada by sharing innovative tools and wise practices that advance decent work. Informed by our National Network on ELCC Human Resources Innovation and Decent Work, and stakeholders across the country, these tools are sourced from diverse ELCC organizations. The toolkit, and all its resources, are publicly available for use by administrators, educators and students. 

• To download the tools and learn more about the project, please visit: org/hrtoolkit
• This toolkit is a living document! If you would like to submit an innovative tool, guide or policy, please contact: [email protected]

This project is funded by the Government of Canada's Social Development Partnerships Program - Children and Families.

Submitted to the Government of Ontario on January 24, 2020, the AECEO's submission calls on the government to: 

1. Commit to continuing the $2 Wage Enhancement Grant (WEG) and Home Child Care Enhancement Grant, and immediately extending the WEG to include RECEs and program staff in EarlyON Centres.
2. Reverse the $48 million in cuts to child care and increase operating funding to keep pace with capital expansion.
3. Develop and implement a publicly funded province-wide annually indexed wage scale with a $25/hour minimum wage for RECEs and commensurate compensation for early years staff, a benefits package, including 7 paid sick and 10 job protected personal leave

Click HERE to read the full submission.

During an interview with Melanie Ng for BT on January 20, 2020, the Minister of Education, Stephen Lecce, referred to the Kindergarten Program teaching partnership as having “one EA and one Teacher”. While we appreciate the tremendously valuable work of Educational Assistants, and recognize they are an integral part of our schools, it is Early Childhood Educators (ECEs) who work alongside OCTs in the Kindergarten program. The AECEO wrote to Minister Lecce to express our deep concern with his statement, in which he failed "to appropriately identify ECEs in their important and legislated role in the Kindergarten teaching partnership."

We find Minister Lecce's comment detrimental and hurtful, as it makes "the ethically and socially important work of ECEs and their contributions to children, families, and their teaching partners invisible. This dedicated, predominantly female workforce expresses that their work is often undervalued and unappreciated, which is then confirmed by the deep disparity in remuneration and working conditions they experience in the school system."

"Early childhood educators deserve better. They deserve respect and recognition. Specifically, they deserve this from the Minister of Education." We've called on Minister Lecce to apologize to ECEs in Ontario. We encourage you to send your own email to Minister Lecce at [email protected] or Minister.EDU@ontario.ca.

Read the AECEO's full letter here.

The AECEO is very proud to be co-hosting a lecture and discussion from 7-9pm on the 15th of January at Centre for Social Innovation (Annex)720 Bathurst Street, Toronto, Ontario M5S 2R4
Or join us online, with the opportunity to participate fully in this event, by registering here.

The Association of Early Childhood Educators Ontario has been invited to participate in the Ministry of Education’s newly established Cross-Sectoral Early Years and Child Care Advisory Group. The Advisory Group will be made up of representatives from some stakeholders groups across the sector and will be tasked with identifying the potential implications of Ministry of Education decision-making on key areas of policy related to early years and child care.

Fall issue of the eceLINK!

The Association of Early Childhood Educators Ontario is a non-profit, charitable organization, which acts on behalf of its members. As such, we have a vested interest in considering the potential implications of policy decisions from the position of our members. We are, as a charitable organization, a non-partisan group. In this way, we do not favour one party over another, nor promote a party or encourage our members to vote a particular way.

We do consider and analyze the party platforms with the best interests of our members and the child care sector as per AECEO’s mission and purpose, and share this information within our networks. This information is to encourage thoughtful consideration and meaningful dialogue in the pre-election period, and ultimately informed voting decisions.

The following charts highlight the child care and early years platforms of the Green Party, Liberal Party, NDP, PC Party, and People's Party as of October 2, 2019.

The Association of Early Childhood Educators Ontario (AECEO) is the professional association for Early Childhood Educators (ECEs) in Ontario. We support ECEs in their professional practice and advocate for recognition and appropriate compensation for early childhood professionals, so they can provide high quality programs for children and families. One of our ongoing goals is to activate Ontario’s ECEs to engage in leadership and advocacy, challenging  practices and policies that restrict expression and pedagogical potential for ECEs, children and families. In their intellectual and ethical practices with children, families and communities, we believe ECEs are uniquely positioned to imagine and create the world we want to live in. We are thus pleased to announce our partnership with Western University as co-leads for the Provincial Centre of Excellence for Early Years and Child Care and Secretariat. Through this partnership, the AECEO seeks to make public the work and value of ECEs while supporting their pedagogical journey. This not only benefits children, families and societies but also advances the early childhood profession.

Education Programs Specialist
Full-Time Permanent Position
The College of Early Childhood Educators (the College) regulates the more than 53,000 members of the early childhood education profession in the public interest, pursuant to the Early Childhood Educators Act, 2007. The College issues Certificates of Registration, has established a Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice for the profession, and responds to concerns about
members through a complaints and discipline process. The College is a not-for-profit organization with a staff of 65 and an annual operating budget of approximately $10M.
We are seeking an analytical, collaborative critical thinker experienced in leading the review and development of post-secondary program assessment standards.

RECE, permanent for Childcare

Job Description

The Miles Nadal Jewish Community Centre is seeking an experienced RECE teacher for its program. Preference will be given to RECE teachers with previous experience in Play-Based Learning and/or a Child Directed Learning program. Be a part of this dynamic school where you will have the opportunity to grow with the children. Primary responsibilities include observing children and implementing a stimulating program for the children and open communication with parents. Start date to be determined - Reports to Director of Children’s Education.

We are concerned by some of the regulatory changes to the Child Care & Early Years Act, 2014 and the Education Act recently proposed by the provincial government that will directly impact Early Childhood Educators. We have therefore participated in the government’s Regulatory Consultations regarding those changes and submitted our response on May 17^th.

Click HERE to read the AECEO's full submission.

Full Time Permanent - Closes June 10, 2019

Click here for job posting.

Pre-School Teacher - ECE
Full Time Contract – 35 hrs/wk – Ending June 19, 2020 
Rate of Pay $22.24/hour, plus 4% vacation pay
Responsibilities:
To guide and supervise children enrolled in the Child Care Program in all areas of development, under the direction of the Supervisor and in accordance with the Child Care and Early Years Act and the philosophy of Child Care Resources.
Qualifications:

• Early Childhood Education Diploma or A.E.C.E.O. equivalency and current membership with
  the College of E.C.E
• Minimum one-year experience in a related childcare field.
• Good written and verbal communication skills.

Hiring 5 Early Childhood Educator 1 - Children's Services , Toronto Early Learning & Child Care Services

Major Responsibilities:

• Plans and implements developmental programs appropriate to assigned age group, to enhance the children's cognitive, physical, social, and emotional development in accordance with the Child Care and Early Years Act, and the Divisional Assessment for Quality Improvement. Incorporates learning experiences designed to meet the individual and group needs of the children
• Takes work direction from the Centre Supervisor and directs and assigns tasks to the Child Care Aides, Day Care and Recreational Assistants, dietary staff and Early Childhood Educators 2, as appropriate
• Assumes responsibility for the operation of the centre in the absence of the Supervisor
• Conducts team meetings with assigned Early Childhood Educators 2 and part-time staff as required. Participates in monthly centre staff meetings, taking and transcribing minutes on a rotational basis
• Evaluates programs and recommends new activities and/or modified programming to improve effectiveness in meeting developmental needs of children
• Participates in educational assessment conferences with outside agencies and makes program recommendations
• Observes and assesses children's progress and behaviour to ensure programs meet identified individual and group needs. Seeks support from Children's Services Special Services unit, and/or external agencies for children with extra support needs; completes developmental profiles and progress charts
• Communicates effectively about children's progress/behaviour/health with parents/designated family members/external agency staff and school staff. Answers questions regarding children, programs and the centre; promotes parental involvement
• Ensures children are provided with adequate and nutritious food and special dietary requirements are met
• Diapers children and instructs and assists children in washing, dressing, toileting, and eating to support the capacity of self-help skills. Lifts, carries and lowers children and pushes children in a stroller when on outdoor walks
• Conducts daily health check of children; records illness and contacts parents. Administers medication as authorized by physicians and maintains records of all medications administered. Administers first aid and records/reports as appropriate
• Ensures toys and equipment used in activities are maintained in a safe, clean condition, and kept in a good state of repair. Sets up activity area and ensures physical environment is safe.
• Opens and closes the centre according to procedures.
• Organizes and conducts field trips.
• Documents attendance of children, completes washroom charts, accident reports and other documentation as required.
• Assists with administrative tasks (e.g. recording attendance, calculating and compiling statistics, recommending purchases of new equipment, receiving and recording goods, answering telephone, preparing monthly staff rotation schedules and adjusting schedules due to absences
• Enters information on the Children's Services computer system, and utilizes various software applications
• Assists in training and evaluating Early Childhood Education students during practicum placement
• Participates in planning and delivery of parent engagement activities such as workshops and centre workshop.

Clinton Cooperative Childcare Centre is Seeking an Executive Director
We are a well-established Center offering early childcare education for children ranging in age from infant to pre-kindergarten, as well as before-and-after-school care and summer programs for school-age children up to twelve years old.  We currently have approximately fifty staff members and serve over 300 children across three sites in Huron County.
Clinton is located in the heart of beautiful Huron County, offering the best of small town living, a paradise for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts, a great arts and culture scene, tons of things to do year-round, and is driving distance to several urban centers.   We offer a fun, supportive, flexible work environment; a fantastic, dedicated staff; lots of opportunities to challenge yourself and grow; compensation commensurate with experience; RRSP contributions; and generous personal leave, sick leave and vacation!