Main Responsibilities and Required Skills for an Early Childhood Educator
An Early Childhood Educator is a professional who plays a vital role in the development and education of young children. They create a nurturing and stimulating environment where children can learn and grow through various activities and experiences. In this blog post, we will describe the primary responsibilities and the most in-demand hard and soft skills for Early Childhood Educators.
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Main Responsibilities of
The following list describes the typical responsibilities of an Early Childhood Educator:
Adapt
Adapt teaching strategies to meet the needs of individual children.
Adhere to
Adhere to Early Years Policy and Procedures.
Administer
Administer and maintain records of medication and first aid.
Administer medications as required in accordance with established policy.
Advocate
Advocate for the policies, procedures and philosophy of Vincent Massey Academy.
Advocate on behalf of participants as appropriate building on their strengths and capacities.
Assess
Assess and address any developmental delays or special needs.
Assess program supplies and materials needed, prior to the implementation of the program.
Assess the abilities, interests and needs of children and discuss progress or problems with parents.
Assist in
Assist children in washroom routines, dressing and meal / snack activities.
Assist children with all necessary care routines (e.g. diapering, toileting, hygiene, etc.).
Assist children with washroom routines, dressing, and mealtimes.
Assist in developing annual work plans and reporting in Annual Reports and Narratives.
Assist in implementing the daily program under the direction of the Child Development Supervisor.
Assist parents with orientation to the centre and encourage parent participation within the program.
Assist students with integration into the classroom and school setting.
Assist teachers to submit written observations on children to administration.
Assist the Child Care Cook in housekeeping and laundry duties.
Assist with classroom inventory.
Assist with groups during lock down fire drills, and is aware of proper fire evacuation procedures.
Assist with providing content for a monthly calendar.
Assist with toilet training and personal hygiene routines.
Assume
Assume additional responsibilities from time to time as the situation demands.
Attend
Attend all required trainings, acquire and maintain certifications as directed by your supervisor.
Attend professional development training programs.
Attend regular meetings with preschool instructors, Supervisor and where appropriate.
Attend staff and team meetings to discuss progress and problems of children.
Attend staff meetings and professional development opportunities as required.
Attend to physical needs of children.
Build
Build positive relationships and collaborative partnerships with families.
Build self-esteem and create empowerment to children and their families.
Collaborate with
Collaborate with and support other educators with a disposition towards research and inquiry.
Collaborate with colleagues and participate in team meetings.
Collaborate with external agencies and specialists as needed.
Collaborate with other educators with a disposition towards research and inquiry.
Collaborate with parents and guardians to support children's learning.
Collaborate with teachers to plan, monitor, and evaluate students.
Communicate
Communicate effectively with parents regarding children's progress and needs.
Communicate sensitively and appropriately with parents / families.
Complete
Complete participant intake procedures.
Complete required documentation of children's development and interactions.
Connect
Connect and communicate with caregivers.
Contribute to
Contribute to the ongoing operations of the Centre and assigned duties.
Coordinate
Coordinate activities of other early childhood educators and early childhood educator assistants.
Create
Create a multicultural and inclusive learning environment.
Create and facilitate new programs based on the expressed interests of participants.
Create an inclusive program for all children, including children who may have disabilities.
Create a safe and inclusive learning environment for young children.
Design
Design and follow a schedule of activities and discover suitable teaching material.
Develop
Develop and encourage positive and secure relationships with children.
Develop positive relationships with children and parents at Inuuqatigiit.
Develop rapport with community members and make appropriate referrals.
Display
Display and promote a positive attitude and helpful approach with parents and caregivers.
Document
Document children's every day learning and experiences.
Document child's activities and daily observations.
Document child's work and display in classroom.
Encourage
Encourage active learning to build self-esteem in an inclusive and respectful environment.
Encourage and support active family involvement.
Encourage creativity and artistic expression through arts and crafts.
Engage
Engage children in activities that foster social-emotional development.
Engage in regularly scheduled non-contact time.
Engage in short and long-term planning and assessment and staff program reviews.
Ensure
Ensure all programs adhere to the BGCC mission, values, policies, and procedures.
Ensure all program staff have current certifications and training.
Ensure guidance of children that encourages positive self-esteem.
Ensure positive communications with parents / guardians.
Ensure positive, professional communication with families on an ongoing basis.
Ensure program locations meet and maintain Alberta Child Care Licensing standards.
Ensure safety during indoors and outdoors activities.
Ensure that a thorough and complete orientation and training are provided for all new staff members.
Ensure the child's environment is healthy and safe.
Ensure the daily preparation of learning areas and materials.
Ensure the facility is clean, well maintained and safe at all times.
Ensure the whereabouts and safety of all children.
Establish
Establish and maintain collaborative, supportive relationships with colleagues.
Establish and maintain regular communication with parents and co-workers.
Establish daily routines with smooth transitions to meet centre and criteria expectations.
Establish effective and cooperative teamwork and communication.
Establish guidelines for behaviour.
Establish policies and procedures including acceptable disciplinary policies.
Establish positive and nurturing relationships with children and families.
Evaluate
Evaluate program and development of individual children.
Extended
Extended medical and dental benefits available after 6 months.
Facilitate
Facilitate and supervise children's play and learning experiences.
Find
Find and schedule substitute teachers when required by the program.
Follow
Follow and adhere to licensing requirements of the program.
Follow safety protocols and procedures.
Form
Form collaborative partnerships with families.
Foster
Foster social, emotional, cognitive, and physical development.
Foster social skills and cooperation through group activities.
Give
Give and receive information to other staff members, to / from parents.
Guide
Guide children's behaviour to promote autonomy and positive self-concept.
Identify
Identify and meet designated needs of all children as an individual and as a group.
Identify childrens' individual learning needs.
Implement
Implement health and safety procedures in the classroom.
Implement health and safety procedures with coordinator and JHSC.
Implement strategies as recommended by a child's IPP or therapist team.
Incorporate
Incorporate technology and digital resources into learning activities.
Initiate
Initiate and maintain contact with community agencies, families, groups, and networks.
Integrate
Integrate work team and support the educational program of the childcare center visited.
Introduce
Introduce children to cultural diversity and global awareness.
Keep
Keep apprised of relevant legislation or policy changes in relation to the early childhood field.
Keep site management team advised of pertinent information.
Keep the manager informed of activities and / or concerns.
Know
Know and follow each child's individual schedule.
Lead
Lead children's activities, tell stories, teach songs and prepare craft materials.
Lead open ended experiences with ease and enthusiasm.
Liaise with
Liaise with a variety of community agencies to enhance programs and services in the community.
Love
Love working with infants and toddlers (12 months to 36 months).
Maintain
Maintain accurate records of children's progress and development.
Maintain a clean and orderly centre.
Maintain and foster a child oriented playroom throughout the day.
Maintain and update children's records (emergency cards) as needed.
Maintain a neat, orderly and clean environment in all activity and program areas.
Maintain confidentiality about children, and their families.
Maintain confidentiality of client records and information.
Maintain current, accurate and confidential client files.
Maintain current Safe Food Handling certification.
Maintain daily record keeping of attendance, daily log books, accidents reports and illness reports.
Maintain full compliance with the legislative framework for Early Childhood Education.
Maintain Health & Safety Standards, fire safety requirements.
Maintain positive communication with parents.
Maintain the safety and well-being of all children and families enrolled in the program.
Maintain up-to-date emergency cards, attendance, and health and safety checks.
Maintain up-to-date knowledge of best practices and theories in the Early Childcare Education.
Make
Make daily observations and observe children for signs of potential learning.
Make recommendations to adapt programs as necessary.
Make sure equipment and physical environment is maintained free of safety or health hazards.
Manage
Manage within the Ontario's Occupational Health and Safety standards.
Meet
Meet all classroom ratios as outlined in CCEYA.
Mentor
Mentor new ECE's, students and volunteers to ensure that they are supported.
Model
Model and coach table manners, bathroom etiquette, sharing, and respect.
Model a positive attitude towards diversity.
Model appropriate behaviours for the children.
Model constructive behavior management techniques and positive parenting strategies.
Monitor
Monitor students during recess and lunch hour.
Observe
Observe and assess children's developmental progress.
Offer
Offer suggestions about what materials will be purchased.
Operate
Operate and ensures safety of all equipment including special needs equipment as required.
Operate and maintain facilities.
Participate in
Participate in Quality First initiatives.
Participate in short and long term planning and evaluation and staff program reviews.
Participate in staff meetings, centre activities, and staff development.
Participate in supervision and staff meetings with your supervisor as required.
Participate in the implementation of children's individual guidance and behavior management plans.
Perform
Perform duties as required by the Program Director.
Perform observations, transitions and daily documentation.
Plan
Plan and develop program webs online with children's interests.
Plan and implement a consistent child-centred program in accordance with YMCA curricula.
Plan and implement developmentally appropriate curriculum and activities.
Plan and implement quality programming in a developmentally appropriate environment.
Plan and maintain an environment that protects the health, safety, and well-being of children.
Plan and organize activities for preschool and school-age children.
Plan and organize daily routines and transitions.
Plan and organize field trips and educational outings.
Plan creative and developmentally appropriate activities based on children's interests.
Prepare
Prepare and implement remedial programs for students requiring extra help.
Prepare and serve meals and monitor children during meal times.
Prepare materials and equipment for educational and recreational activities.
Prepare snack according to daily plan as required.
Promote
Promote language and literacy development through storytelling and reading.
Promote positive behavior and discipline strategies.
Promote the development of children's autonomy.
Provide
Provide and maintain a neat, organized classroom, and upkeep of equipment.
Provide a safe and stimulating environment that facilitates learning.
Provide a variety of sensory and hands-on learning experiences.
Provide basic First Aid as needed.
Provide high quality experiences based on the children's interests.
Provide immunization records and tests (TB).
Provide individualized attention and support to each child.
Provide nutritious meals and promote healthy eating habits.
Provide opportunities for growth and development in a stimulating and supportive environment.
Provide opportunity for creative expression through the mediums of art, dramatic play and music.
Provide orientation of the daycare to new parents.
Provide promotional support for program.
Provide supervision and guidance of daily activities, field trips and special activities.
Provide supervision and guidance of daily activities, field trips, and special activities.
Provide support for children in the classroom and encourage them to fully participate in activities.
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 to
Respond appropriately to children.
Respond to illnesses and injuries, including providing safety-oriented first aid care.
Stay updated on
Stay updated on best practices and research in early childhood education.
Submit
Submit all monthly and annual internal reports.
Supervise
Supervise daily activities, ensuring the safety of each child.
Supervise outdoor play, snack, and meal times.
Support
Support children to become aware of their roles as integral members of a group.
Support inclusion and equity by respecting others, embracing diversity and addressing oppression.
Support other staff members in their respective initiatives.
Support the benefits of risk taking, movement, and physical development in the early years.
Support the holistic development of all children.
Take
Take care of child in case of injury or illness.
Take charge of groups of children aged 0 to 5 years old.
Take initiative in & out of the classroom.
Take part in Staff meetings and Parent meetings.
Teach
Teach basic math, science, and problem-solving skills.
Track
Track information, including attendance and student counts.
Uphold
Uphold health and safety standards.
Use
Use observations to expand play and plan activities that recognize individual difference.
Use observations to expand play and planning of learning activities.
Utilize
Utilize positive child guidance strategies that align with Bright Days philosophy and policies.
Work
Work with a team to establish and maintain a safe, welcoming, stimulating and caring environment.
Write
Write comments and record daily activities.
Most In-demand Hard Skills
The following list describes the most required technical skills of an Early Childhood Educator:
Knowledge of child development theories and principles.
Familiarity with early childhood curriculum frameworks.
Competence in planning and implementing age-appropriate activities.
Proficiency in assessing and documenting children's progress.
Skill in adapting teaching methods to meet individual needs.
Competence in behavior management and positive discipline techniques.
Knowledge of health and safety regulations in early childhood settings.
Familiarity with technology integration in early childhood education.
Competence in promoting language and literacy development.
Skill in teaching math, science, and problem-solving skills.
Proficiency in creating inclusive and multicultural learning environments.
Knowledge of special education and inclusion practices.
Competence in promoting social and emotional development.
Familiarity with art and creative expression activities for young children.
Skill in promoting physical development and gross motor skills.
Proficiency in facilitating group activities and fostering cooperation.
Knowledge of nutrition and promoting healthy eating habits.
Competence in assisting with personal hygiene and self-help skills.
Familiarity with assessment tools and methods in early childhood education.
Proficiency in using educational software and digital resources.
Most In-demand Soft Skills
The following list describes the most required soft skills of an Early Childhood Educator:
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
Patience and empathy in working with young children.
Adaptability and flexibility in a dynamic learning environment.
Creativity and imagination in developing engaging activities.
Strong organizational and time management skills.
Collaboration and teamwork with colleagues and parents.
Positive and nurturing attitude towards children.
Active listening and observation skills.
Problem-solving and critical thinking abilities.
Cultural sensitivity and respect for diversity.
Conclusion
Early Childhood Educators play a crucial role in laying the foundation for a child's lifelong learning journey. By possessing the necessary hard and soft skills, these professionals create a nurturing and stimulating environment that promotes holistic development and prepares children for future success.
