Do you have a
love for young children? What if I told you that you could work with them every
day (and also earn an income while doing that)?
If your eyes
lit up at the thought of that, then a career in early childhood education could
be right for you.
Before you
dive into the career, you obviously want to know what it’s about, what it
entails, and what you have to do to be qualified – and we’ll cover all of that
below.
What Is an Early Childhood Educator (ECE)?
The first few
years of a child’s education and development are some of the most critical
years. In fact, 90%
of brain growth happens before the age of 5. Because of this, the
impact Early Childhood Educators (ECEs) have on a child’s success in growth and
development are incredibly important.
Like the name
suggests, Early Childhood Educators are educators, also known as teachers, who
specialize in working with young children – specifically those who are 2 ½ to 5
years old. These educators work with young students to create a positive and
nurturing environment for them to grow up and feel comfortable in.
On a wider
scope, Early Childhood Educators lead children in various activities to
stimulate and develop their intellectual, physical, and emotional growth –
which fosters their security and well-being.
The Tasks and Responsibilities of an Early Childhood Educator (ECE)
As previously
mentioned, Early Childhood Educators play an important role in the growth of a
young child. Because of this, their daily responsibilities help carve the minds
of young children every day.
On a daily
basis, you will find ECEs leading interactive activities with children like
telling or reading stories, teaching songs, taking them to local points of
interest, and even providing opportunities to express creativity through
platforms like art, dramatic play, music, and physical activities. These
activities foster curiosity, creativity and develop the whole child while
building trust with responsible, caring educators.
While
engaging in all of these interactive activities, ECEs will also observe children
for signs of potential learning or behavioural problems that may hinder their
development. If any signs are recognized, the ECE will relay that information
to the parents, guardians, and/or supervisors.
In addition
to these responsibilities, ECEs will also develop and implement child-care
programs that support and promote the physical, cognitive, emotional, and
social development of these young minds.
How to Become an Early Childhood Educator (ECE)
In British
Columbia, in order to work as an Early Childhood Educator, you need to complete
a basic early childhood education training program from an approved
institution. Fortunately for you, Sprott Shaw College is one of those approved
training institutions.
Sprott Shaw’s Early Childhood Education Basic program is based on the curriculum approved by the Ministry for Children and Family Development, who ensure that children and youth in BC live in a safe, healthy, and nurturing family and become strongly connected to their communities and culture. Students who complete this program will develop a wide range of soft and hard skills through the study and practice of certified courses.
At Sprott
Shaw, the Basic
program involves working with preschool students; while the Post-Basic programs
prepare students to specialize and work with infants
and toddlers as well as children
with exceptionalities.
To learn more
about the program and how you can become an Early Childhood Educator, contact
one of our advisors below!
