Careers in the Early Years Sector

EarlyON educator sings and dances in a circle with children and caregivers

A career in the Early Years sector is fun, rewarding, and has the potential to greatly impact the lives of children, their families and the broader community. As an Early Childhood Educator (ECE), you would help care for, support, and enhance the learning and growth of the next generation.

The essential services you would provide to the community help:

young children to develop and flourish through educational learning and social skill development
caregivers to receive the support they need to be able to work and attend personal commitments while knowing their child is safe and cared for
families to make meaningful memories and connections through facilitated programming
the local economy to benefit from an increased workforce

View current job opportunities in Northumberland

Benefits of working in Early Years

Flexible hours with options to work weekdays, evenings, before and after school hours, etc.
Great variety of hands-on and in-office work opportunities to fit your preferred work environment
Opportunity to have a significant, meaningful, positive impact on individuals and the community as a whole
Opportunity for a fun, playful and creative work environment, which could include physical activity and outdoor recreation

Shine a light on the path to a brighter future

Every day, ECEs provide children with safe, responsive, and caring interactions that build a strong foundation for their development and well-being. Children who participate in high-quality learning environments experience increased verbal communication, reading, math, and science skills, as well as a host of other benefits.

Uncover facts about the many ways ECEs benefit children, their families, and the growth of our economy:

Download our ECE fact sheet

Why work in Northumberland?

Aerial view of historic downtown with river crossing through Northumberland County is a great place to live, work and play! Our tight-knit community is welcoming and supportive, and our small town communities offer a safe, relaxing and comfortable lifestyle for you and your family. Our region has a unique blend of landscapes including historic towns, scenic rural areas and waterfront locations. It is renowned for its many outdoor recreational opportunities and notable heritage sites.

To learn more about our community, view our Community Profile or visit the Northumberland Tourism website to explore what we have to offer for recreation, art, culture, community events and more.

What types of work can ECEs do?

Our local Early Years sector has a wide variety job opportunities that range from hands-on roles that work directly with children to assist with Early Learning in the classroom or at child care centres, to office-based roles that focus on strategic planning, program development and implementation.

Registered Early Childhood Educator (RECE)

Job duties

Develop and implement child care programs that support the intellectual, physical, social and emotional growth and development of children
Lead activities including story telling, teaching songs, physical activity, educational day trips, and creative expression through art, music, play
Manage an environment that ensures the health, safety and well-being of children
Assess abilities, interests and needs of children
Communicate progress or problems with parents
Observe children for signs of potential learning or behavioural problems and prepare reports for parents and supervisors
Help children develop proper eating, dressing and toilet habits
May supervise and coordinate activities of other ECEs and EAs
May work hands-on in a day care, child care or school, or may focus on the development and delivery of programming from an office-setting

Requirements

Must complete a two- to four-year college program in early childhood education or a bachelor's degree in child development
Must be registered with the College of Early Childhood Educators

Job titles

Child care worker - daycare

Daycare worker

Early childhood education worker

Early childhood educator (ECE)

Early childhood educator - preschool

Early Childhood Assistant (EA)

Job duties

This position works alongside of qualified Early Childhood Educators to assist in all aspects of program
Engages children in activities including story telling, teaching songs, physical activity, educational day trips, and creative expression through art, music, play
Help prepare snacks and maintain a safe, clean and comfortable learning environment
Help children develop proper eating, dressing and toilet habits
May help ECEs and supervisors in record keeping and reporting

Requirements

Must complete secondary school education
Must have experience in child care
May be required to complete an early childhood education assistant certificate program or post-secondary courses in early childhood education
Does not need to be registered

Job titles

Child care worker assistant

Daycare helper

Early childhood assistant

Early childhood program staff assistant

Preschool helper

Enhanced Educator

Job duties

Working with children with special needs to integrate them into the program
Support the program environment

Requirements

No education needed — education is considered an asset
Does not require professional qualifications in Early Childhood Education

Supervisor

Job duties

Plans, manages and implements child care programming within the provisions of organizational policies and the Child Care and Early Years Act (CCEYA)
Supervises and coordinates activities of other ECEs and EAs
Completes reporting and inspection requirements
Establishes and maintains collaborative partnerships with community service providers that work with children
May work hands-on in a child care facility or may focus on the development and delivery of programming from an office-setting

Requirements

Must complete a two- to four-year college program in early childhood education or a bachelor's degree in child development
Must be registered with the College of Early Childhood Educators
Must have an extensive knowledge of the Child Care and Early Years Act (CCEYA)

Job titles

Daycare supervisor
Early childhood supervisor
Preschool supervisor

For more information about the roles, duties, skills and requirements of ECEs, visit the Government of Canada Job Bank website.

Interested in training to be an ECE?

Research Early Childhood Education programs at your preferred college or university for more information about educational pathways.

Current job postings in Northumberland

The following positions are currently available at local childcare agencies in Northumberland County:

Job title	Specifications	Position Start Date	Contact
Registered Early Childhood Educator (R.E.C.E), Ganaraska Child Care	Full-time, Monday-Friday Approx. 8 hours/day $21.00-$27.00/hour	As soon as possible.	ganaraskaccc@outlook.com
Childcare Assistant, Alderville First Nation Daycare	Permanent, Full-time 35 hours/week 2 positions	September 26, 2022	humanresources@alderville.ca
RECE, Alderville First Nation Day Care	Permanent, Full-time 35 hours per week	As soon as possible.	humanresources@alderville.ca
ECE or Equivalent, St.Peter’s Pre-School Learning Centre	On call/supply staff	Ongoing	Emily at preschool@stpeterscobourg.org
Supervisor - Full Day Centre, YMCA Northumberland	Full-time RECE In-Program Supervisor Family grouping	TBD	Lauren Reed at lauren.reed@nrt.ymca.ca
RECE, YMCA Northumberland	Family age grouping Full-time	TBD	Lauren Reed at lauren.reed@nrt.ymca.ca
Child Care Assistants, YMCA Northumberland	Family age grouping Full-time	TBD	Lauren Reed at lauren.reed@nrt.ymca.ca
Child Care assistants -Hastings and Warkworth YMCA before and after school program, YMCA Northumberland	CYW, DSW, SSW, PSW School age Part-time Before and After School Split Shift	As soon as possible.	Lauren Reed at lauren.reed@nrt.ymca.ca
Child Care Assistant - Colborne YMCA before and after school program, YMCA Northumberland	CYW, DSW, SSW, PSW Enhanced position School age Part-time	As soon as possible.	Lauren Reed at lauren.reed@nrt.ymca.ca
Child Care Assistant - C.R. Gummow Child Care, YMCA Northumberland	CYW, DSW, SSW, PSW After school School age 2 Part-time positions	As soon as possible.	Lauren Reed at lauren.reed@nrt.ymca.ca
Child Care Assistant - St. Anthony's YMCA Child Care, YMCA Northumberland	CYW, DSW, SSW, PSW School age Part-time Before and After School Split Shift	As soon as possible.	Lauren Reed at lauren.reed@nrt.ymca.ca
Child Care Assistant, YMCA Northumberland	On-call/supply All areas of Northumberland All ages	As soon as possible.	Lauren Reed at lauren.reed@nrt.ymca.ca
Child Care Assistant, YMCA Northumberland	School age Part-time Before and After School Split Shift	As soon as possible.	Lauren Reed at lauren.reed@nrt.ymca.ca
Child Care Assistant - Burnham YMCA Child Care, YMCA Northumberland	CYW, DSW, SSW, PSW Before and After School Split Shift School Age Part-time	As soon as possible.	Lauren Reed at lauren.reed@nrt.ymca.ca
Child Care Assistant - Grafton Public YMCA Child Care, YMCA Northumberland	CYW, DSW, SSW, PSW Before and After School Split Shift School Age Part-time	As soon as possible.	Lauren Reed at lauren.reed@nrt.ymca.ca
Child Care Assistant - Merwin Greer YMCA Child Care, YMCA Northumberland	CYW, DSW, SSW, PSW Before and After School Split Shift School age Part-time	As soon as possible.	Lauren Reed at lauren.reed@nrt.ymca.ca
Child Care Assistant - Beatrice Strong YMCA Child Care, YMCA Northumberland	CYW, DSW, SSW, PSW Before and After School Split Shift School Age Part-time	As soon as possible.	Lauren Reed at lauren.reed@nrt.ymca.ca
RECE, Sunshine Heights Day Care	Full-time	Ongoing	Shelley Davey at sunshine.heights@outlook.com
ECA, Sunshine Heights Day Care	Full-time	Ongoing	Shelley Davey at sunshine.heights@outlook.com

Networking and professional development opportunities

Northumberland County Early Years Services and Five Counties Children’s Centre are constantly pursuing thought-provoking and pertinent professional learning and networking opportunities for the Early Childhood Educators and Child Care Workers in our community. Explore this section to find the opportunities that best fit your professional needs.

Children with special rights

For educators to hear from specialists that work with children with exceptionalities. Topics include FASD, autism, speech and language.

Upcoming workshops

Thursday September 22, 2022, 6:30-8:00 PM

Q&A about Autism and Strategies - All Educators

cmorris@fivecounties.on.ca

Cooks

For dietary staff to network and share recipes for optimal nutrition. Supported by a dietitian from the health unit.

Upcoming workshops

Tuesday October 11, 2022, 6:30-7:30 PM

Reflections from Cooks Conference - Dietary Staff

cmorris@fivecounties.on.ca

Infant and toddler

For educators working with infants and toddlers, to network and explore topics such as nutrition, sensory integration, and age-appropriate loose parts.

Upcoming workshops

Wednesday November 2, 2022, 6:30-8:00 PM

Developing literacy skills in the early years - Infant/Toddler Educators

hsalmon@fivecounties.on.ca

Pedagogical leaders

For educators who are pedagogical leaders to study documentation and pedagogy. Focuses on peer mentorship and supporting pedagogical leaders. Topics include side-by-side mentoring, relationship building, transfer of practice and peer mentorship.

Upcoming workshops

Starting in October, second Tuesday of every month. (but Wednesday in October)

Wednesday October 12, 2022, 5:30-7:00 PM - 4581 Baltimore Road

Visit to: Watch me Grows outdoor Space (Dress for the weather)

Tuesday November 8, 2022, 10:00 PM-12:00 AM - 555 Courthouse Rd or TEAMS

Mumfordc@northumberland.ca

Preschool

For educators working with preschool-age children to network and explore topics such as math, science and risky play.

Upcoming workshops

Tuesday September 13, 2022, 7:00-8:00 PM - TEAMS

Roots of Aggression in early years-and how to redirect

selmhurst@fivecounties.on.ca

School-Age

For educators working with school-age children to network and explore topics such as risky play, self-reg and physical literacy.

Upcoming workshops

TBA

Supervisors

For supervisors to network together and get clarification from advising bodies such as Health Unit-Licensing and Compliance, and Special Resources for Children.

Upcoming workshops

Tuesday October 18, 2022

ECE Appreciation Day - Management Team

Please share photo's to: mumfordc@northumberland.ca

Other workshops and events

Virtual PECE Training is available (4 one-hour modules). Email our Early Years Coordinator for more information.