10 Reasons to Choose Quality Early Learning and Child Care

Expert knowledge Early childhood educators are experts in child development and are trained to create inspiring learning environments!

Intentionality Early childhood educators provide your child the gift of time and attention. They will stop and explore the new flowers or jump in the mud puddles with your child.

Young at heart Early childhood educators know how to have fun! They’re not afraid to be silly and laugh with your child; all while nurturing your child’s creativity and helping to build their self-confidence.

Setting limits Every child needs reasonable boundaries, such as no playing ball inside. Early childhood educators set limits and support families in doing the same.

Love of literacy Early childhood educators read and tell stories, sing songs, and do puppet shows to inspire a love of language and to build early literacy skills.

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Confidence boost Early childhood educators provide safe opportunities for your child to be independent and to become confident in their personality and decision making skills.

Inspired learning Early childhood educators ask open-ended questions to inspire creative thought and curiosity, to encourage children to explore, and to make learning fun.

Life skills Early childhood educators use their expertise to develop programs that use play as a tool for teaching math, literacy, science and essential life skills that last for life!

Making friends Early childhood educators are educated to appropriately support children to gain social skills, which are so important in making friends and developing positive relationships!

Helping hand Everyone gets stumped by parenting from time to time - juggling schedules, demands, and behaviours. When it gets tough and you need someone to talk to, reach out to your child’s early childhood educator!

Professional, Certified, Licensed.

Helping PEI families make the early years count

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Educators

Post-Secondary Training

There are currently more than 600 early childhood education-based positions across PEI within licensed early childhood development centres, family resource centres and family support programs. A certified early childhood educator could work within the PEI early childhood development sector with families, infants, toddlers, three or four year olds on either full or a part-time bases. Communities offer a variety of services to support children and families, including nursery programs, playtime programs, child care programs, and play school. Many centres are listed on our Early Learning and Child Care Registry, which can be found here. A diploma in Early Childhood Care and Education can be obtained on PEI by attending the two year program offered at Holland College or Collège de l’Île.

The ECDA is fortunate to have a cooperative working relationship with the both the Department of Education as well as the Post Secondary Institutions on Prince Edward Island, allowing us to influence trends on behalf of industry.

Are you interested in joining the sector and looking to get a funded training experience composed of a workplace experience as well as the three introductory courses required to become a level one Early Childhood Educator, we would love to have you join our upcoming iteration of Steps to Success! Tentatively scheduled to begin in the Fall! Additionally, this opportunity will be provided in French as well. If this sounds like something you would be interested in, we encourage you to reach out to our Special Projects Coordinator at projects@ecdaofpei.ca or call (902)-368-1017

Here is a video, highlighting the success and experience of one of our previous Steps to Success graduates—Kyle Murphy

This project allows the ECDA to support educators who are currently in the sector wishing to continue their educator, as well as the centres they call home. Allowing us to influence recruitment, retention, and increasing quality for the children and families on our Island.

Additionally, the course introductory courses that compose a level one certification with the Department of Education and Lifelong Learning are available regularly from Holland College and Collège de l'Île. For more information click the links or contact the Professional Learning Coordinator-- 902-368-1876.

Holland College Early Childhood Care and Education

A comprehensive, nationally recognized program with stringent quality standards, Early Childhood Care and Education features program content based on the Occupational Standards for Early Childhood Educators.

It is widely recognized that the training of early childhood educators is one of the most significant indicators of the provision of quality child care. Students in this program have the opportunity to study the historical roots of child care and education and child growth and development, and will explore the connections between these factors. Students also develop an understanding of relationships, and how play and the learning environment contribute significantly to a child's development. Through study and practical application, students experience the thrill of having the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of children and their families.

For more information about this program, visit the Holland College website.

Collège de l’Île

Ce programme prépare l'étudiant à travailler à titre d'éducateur dans les centres de petite enfance. L'étudiant obtiendra les compétences nécessaires pour mieux collaborer avec l'équipe de travail et avec les parents. L'étudiant apprendra les techniques appropriées d'observation de l'enfant afin de reconnaitre des problèmes le limitant dans son développement. Il apprendra aussi des techniques de planification et d'animation d'activités éducatives visant le développement global et harmonieux de l'enfant; ainsi qu'à répondre aux besoins de l'enfant à divers niveaux : alimentation, hygiène, environnement sécuritaire et sommeil.

Une certification provinciale est disponible avec l'obtention de crédits de dix cours spécifiques et un stage.

Pour plus d'informations, visitez le site Web du Collège de l’Île.

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“Childhood is not a race to see how quickly a child can read, write and count. It is a small window of time to learn and develop at the pace that is right for each individual child. Earlier is not better.” – Magda Gerber