Main Responsibilities and Required Skills for Registered Early Childhood Educator
A Registered Early Childhood Educator is a professional who provides teaching and supervision for young children. They develop and implement program planning and daily activities and support children in the development of their skills and independence. In this blog post we describe the primary responsibilities and the most in-demand hard and soft skills for Registered Early Childhood Educators.
Get market insights and compare skills for other jobs here.
Main Responsibilities of Registered Early Childhood Educator
The following list describes the typical responsibilities of a Registered Early Childhood Educator:
Abide by
Abide by the Code of Ethics as adopted by the Centre.
Adhere to
Adhere to Early Years Policy and Procedures.
Adhere to staff and parent policies.
Advise
Advise the Site Supervisor of pertinent information concerning children and their families.
Advocate
Advocate for the policies, procedures and philosophy of Vincent Massey Academy.
Assess
Assess program supplies and materials needed, prior to the implementation of the program.
Assist in
Assist children in expressing themselves by responding with comments that extend conversations.
Assist children in washroom routines, dressing and meal / snack activities.
Assist in developing annual work plans and reporting in Annual Reports and Narratives.
Assist in establishing and maintaining a safe, warm and caring environment in the classroom.
Assist in extensive housekeeping as set out by the centre.
Assist with ensuring a warm, safe and healthy environment.
Assist with groups during lock down fire drills, and is aware of proper fire evacuation procedures.
Assist with the supervision of all aspects of the day-to-day operation of the school.
Attend
Attend and participate actively in all program / center, parental or other meetings as required.
Attend professional development workshops.
Attend staff meetings and professional development opportunities as required.
Attend staff meetings on a bi-monthly basis.
Attend workshops, staff meetings, etc. as directed.
Communicate
Communicate at child's developmental level.
Communicate effectively with parents, families, community members and team teachers.
Communicate formally and informally with families, students, other staff and managers.
Complete
Complete enhanced cleaning as per our COVID-19 Sanitary Practices Policy.
Complete participant intake procedures.
Complete required documentation of children's development and interactions.
Conduct
Conduct daily health check of children, records illness and contacts parents regarding the illness.
Coordinate
Coordinate activities of other early childhood educators and early childhood educator assistants.
Create
Create an atmosphere of trust amongst all team members.
Develop
Develop and encourage positive and secure relationships with children.
Develop and implement program planning and daily activities.
Develop and maintain constructive and open communication with staff.
Develop culturally appropriate programs and activities.
Develop positive relationships with children and parents.
Develop supportive and professional rapport with Early Years staff.
Direct
Direct and lead team members to effectively implement classroom program.
Document
Document child's activities and daily observations into their HiMama account on classroom iPads.
Document daily observations.
Dress
Dress appropriate to convey the organizations professional image.
Encourage
Encourage and support active family involvement.
Engage
Engage and communicate effectively with parents.
Engage children in activities by telling stories, preparing crafts and teaching songs.
Engage in regularly scheduled non-contact time.
Engage in short and long-term planning and assessment and staff program reviews.
Engage with parents in a positive respectful manner.
Ensure
Ensure availability for consultation with parents regarding children's development.
Ensure center compliance to all COVID-19 protocols and current requirements for daycares.
Ensure children are supervised at all times.
Ensure children's environment is healthy and safe.
Ensure equipment and the facility are clean, well maintained and safe at all times.
Ensure positive communication with families.
Ensure that the Health and Safety policies incorporated into daily working practices are adhered to.
Ensure the premises and program resources are safe and secure.
Ensure the program operates at all times in compliance with all child care licensing standards.
Ensure the safe storage and handling of food and equipment.
Establish
Establish and define clear expectations for groups and individuals.
Establish and maintain collaborative relationships with co-workers, management, and families.
Establish and maintain control of the room (effective and controlled large group management).
Establish and maintain regular communication with parents.
Establish daily eating routines that are fun for children.
Establish daily routines with smooth transitions to meet centre and criteria expectations.
Establish guidelines for behavior.
Establish policies and procedures including acceptable disciplinary policies.
Establish routines and provide positive guidance.
Evaluate
Evaluate program and development of individual children.
Follow
Follow all health guidelines specified by Public Health.
Follow and adhere to licensing requirements of the program.
Follow a schedule that incorporates child-directed activity, care routines and transition times.
Follow the centre's procedures for administering medications and maintaining health records.
Foster
Foster curiosity through the foundations of learning.
Foster self-esteem, problem solving and conflict resolution skills in children.
Fulfill
Fulfill requests for any other duties as assigned.
Guide
Guide and assist children in the development of independent eating, dressing and toileting habits.
Guide and assist placement student (as assigned).
Guide behaviour in a positive manner.
Guide children's behaviour to promote autonomy and positive self-concept.
Help
Help to maintain a neat, tidy and professional environment.
Identify
Identify and meet designated needs of all children as an individual and as a group.
Implement
Implement positive discipline when required.
Initiate
Initiate and maintain contact with community agencies, families, groups, and networks.
Input
Input information into the computer-based data system.
Keep
Keep apprised of relevant legislation or policy changes in relation to the early childhood field.
Keep records of children's progress, routines, and interests.
Keep child, parent, family related information confidential at all times.
Keep the manager informed of activities and / or concerns.
Maintain
Maintain a clean & organized classroom.
Maintain a clear criminal reference check (CPIC) and Vulnerable Sector Clearance.
Maintain a healthy and safe environment.
Maintain and foster a child oriented playroom throughout the day.
Maintain and update children's records (emergency cards) as needed.
Maintain a safe and healthy program and working environment.
Maintain confidentiality at all times.
Maintain full compliance with the legislative framework for Early Childhood Education.
Maintain good communication with families.
Maintain Health & Safety Standards, fire safety requirements.
Maintain knowledge and awareness of current early childhood education best practices and trends.
Maintain ongoing communication with school Caretakers, Principal and Teachers.
Maintain qualifications and certifications as required by the provincial standards.
Maintain regular and open communication with program team members and all other co-workers.
Maintain regulated and required documentation, reporting and record keeping.
Maintain required postings and signage.
Maintain Standard First Aid Level C with AED certification.
Maintain up-to-date emergency cards, attendance, and health and safety checks.
Make
Make recommendations to adapt programs as necessary.
Manage
Manage and maintain an orderly classroom.
Manage within the Ontario's Occupational Health and Safety standards.
Meet
Meet all classroom ratios as outlined in CCEYA.
Meet once a month for update on age groups.
Model
Model appropriate behaviours for the children.
Model positive adult / child relationships.
Model positive discipline and behaviour.
Monitor
Monitor and assess classrooms regularly to ensure requirements are met and exceeded if possible.
Monitor health, safety and well-being of children.
Monitor the environment for hazards.
Motivate
Motivate and help children to practice self-help daily.
Observe
Observe health, fire and safety regulations.
Observe children in their surroundings and assess individual and group needs.
Organize
Organize field trips and is responsible for supervising the children on field trips, etc...
Participate in
Participate and interact in team meetings and workshops.
Participate in Quality First initiatives.
Participate in short and long term planning and evaluation activities.
Participate in short and long term planning and evaluation and staff program reviews.
Participate within a team and attend weekly team meetings.
Perform
Perform observations, transitions and daily documentation.
Perform other duties and responsibilities as required from time to time.
Perform toy / equipment disinfecting.
Plan
Plan and develop program webs in line with children's interests.
Plan and facilitate a curriculum that engages,stimulates and helps children to grow.
Plan and maintain an environment that protects the health, safety and well-being of children.
Plan and maintain an environment that protects the health, safety, and well-being of children.
Plan a stimulating, developmentally appropriate program.
Plan, implement, and reflect quality programming.
Plan, prepare, and provide nutritious snacks and meals.
Plan and carry out activities that encourage problem solving.
Plan
Plan and implement a consistent child-centred program in accordance with YMCA curriculums.
Plan and implement quality programming in a developmentally appropriate environment.
Prepare
Prepare snack according to daily plan as required.
Prepare snack / lunch tables as required.
Promote
Promote healthy eating practices and education during meal / snack times and in program development.
Promote the center within the community.
Provide
Provide a daily balance of active / quiet, indoor / outdoor, and individual / group activities.
Provide adequate equipment, resources, and activities relevant to programs.
Provide a safe and secure environment for children to feel comfortable.
Provide a safe, welcoming, and inclusive environment for children and their families.
Provide a warm, nurturing and caring environment for children to support their self esteem.
Provide a warm, safe, and caring environment that is kept orderly, clean and appealing.
Provide basic First Aid as needed.
Provide constant supervision of all children.
Provide direction and guidance to Educator's Assistant program staff.
Provide direction and support to classroom assistants.
Provide high quality experiences based on the children's interests.
Provide home visitations and other tailored family support services.
Provide positive reinforcement.
Provide promotional support for program.
Provide supervision and guidance of daily activities, field trips, and special activities.
Provide supervision of the children & attend to their physical needs.
Provide support for children in the classroom and enable them to fully participate in activities.
Provide various experiences and activities for children including songs, games and storytelling.
Recognize
Recognize the role of Elders and resource people in sharing traditional knowledge with children.
Report
Report any issues or concerns that may arise in accordance with proper procedures.
Report appropriately and regularly to the centre Director and Program Manager.
Respond
Respond appropriately to children.
Respond to correspondence and information requests as required.
Respond to parent issues, requests, etc., and share information with all staff to ensure consistency.
Seek
Seek opportunities and partnerships that support children in the community.
Set
Set reasonable expectations.
Share
Share and offer ideas with colleagues.
Share responsibility for maintaining program equipment in good repair.
Supervise
Supervise placement students, prepare evaluations and provide feedback to students.
Support
Support and participate in the development of Indigenous community child and youth initiatives.
Support children in the development of their self-help skills and independence.
Support children in their daily routines.
Support children through transitions in and out of the classrooms.
Support the charitable and philanthropic efforts of the Association.
Take
Take initiative in & out of the classroom.
Treat
Treat each child with Love, Dignity and Respect.
Understand
Understand and complies with provincial, municipal and YMCA Child Guidance Policies.
Update
Update self daily on children's allergies and other special conditions.
Uphold
Uphold health and safety standards.
Uphold the philosophy of the program.
Use
Use appropriate (for age / developmental levels) behaviour guidance strategies.
Use appropriate language and voice level.
Use observations to expand play and plan activities that recognize individual difference.
Work with
Work collaboratively with the center's Chef.
Work in partnership to maintain cleanliness and organization of classroom materials.
Write
Write comments and record daily activities.
Write down observations about the children in class for your supervisors.
Most In-demand Hard Skills
The following list describes the most required technical skills of a Registered Early Childhood Educator:
Child Care
CPR
Early Years Act
Standing
Bending
Stooping
Use Frequent Light To Medium Physical Effort
Most In-demand Soft Skills
The following list describes the most required soft skills of a Registered Early Childhood Educator:
Written and oral communication skills
Interpersonal skills
Leadership
Initiative
Team player
Creative
Problem-solving attitude
Flexible
Organizational capacity
Sensitivity
Enthusiastic
Teamwork
Time-management
Discretion
Judgement
Positive discipline
Work with a diverse range of children and families of all backgrounds and abilities
Work with minimum supervision within a multicultural environment
Work collaboratively with teaching staff to achieve goals
Organized
