Early Childhood Educators

Become An Early Childhood Educator

To work as an Early Childhood Educator in New Brunswick there are various options.

Educators can begin with no training and receive the 90-hour Introduction to Early Childhood online course for free while working in a licensed Early Learning Centre and would begin the wage grid as entry level Educators.

To be considered a Level 1 Early Childhood Educator, individuals need to have completed a recognized Early Childhood Education program or a university degree from a recognized post-secondary institution.

Early Childhood Educators will also need to undergo a criminal and vulnerable sector record check, as well as a social development record check, and have completed Basic First Aid Training, with infant and child CPR to meet licensing requirements as stipulated by the provincial government.

There are several training options to become an Early Childhood Educator:

• Introduction to Early Childhood Education

• Recognized ECE Diploma (2yr) and Certificate programs (1yr) offered both online and in person.

  Program Details NBCC

        Program Details CCNB

• Bachelor in Early Childhood Education 

        Program Details UNB

• Micro-credential program  
• Work-Study Program

To have your Early Childhood training certificate, diploma, or degree from outside of New Brunswick validated, please contact [email protected]

Introduction to Early Childhood Education  

The introduction to Early Childhood Education is a free required training course for all educators and is provided in an online format provided by the Department. All educators with no certificate or diploma will be required to take the 90 hour online course. It is included in the recognized Early Childhood Education certificate and diploma programs offered in New Brunswick. Early childhood educators with certificates and diplomas coming from outside of New Brunswick will be required to take a 30 hour curriculum training. Educators presently working with children aged 5 and under in licensed early learning and child care facilities can get more information on this course by contacting your facility’s Quality Assurance Monitor.

The introduction to Early Childhood Education is also offered as an optional course in some High Schools in New Brunswick; which would contribute towards a certificate or diploma in early childhood education. Students can ask their counsellor for more information.

Post Secondary Training Supports

The department is working in collaboration with CCNB and NBCC to meet the education demands of educators. The department analyses which training methods are needed in terms of demand and decisions are made annually on which of these programs will be offered. Courses offered may vary from semester to semester based on the demand.  Reach out to NBCC and CCNB for current offerings.

The department offers tuition reimbursement to eligible educators. 

Micro-credentialing – Experiential Learning  

The Department supports the delivery of this micro-credentialing program designed by the New Brunswick Community College (NBCC) and the Collège Communautaire du Nouveau-Brunswick (CCNB). In addition, funding is available to support registered educators with tuition fees and learning materials. This program, which takes 6 to 8 months to complete, includes:  

• Onsite training to obtain the one-year college certificate; and  
• The opportunity for educators to gain experience in child care centres while practising and demonstrating the skills learned in theoretical training modules.  

Note: To be eligible for this program, educators must:  

• Be currently employed and working with children under the age of five in a licensed early learning and childcare facility;  
• Have worked at least three years with children under the age of five in a licensed early learning and childcare facility; and  
• Have completed the “Introduction to Early Childhood Education” course (90 hours, online).  

Work-Study program

The department supports the delivery of the work-study program developed by Collège Communautaire du Nouveau-Brunswick (CCNB) and New Brunswick Community College (NBCC). In addition, the department provides registered educators with support grants for tuition fees and training materials. This two-year program provides two educators from the same institution a chance to complete their one-year college training while continuing to work.

• Two educators divide their time between periods of online study (at home or at the facility) and periods of work; and
• Educators apply their learning and develop their skills throughout their training at their workplace

Note: To be eligible for this program, educators must:

• Be currently working in a licensed childcare facility with children 0-5;
• Must have another educator to pair with

Online Part-Time 1 Year Early Childhood Education Certificate 

The department supports the delivery of the online part-time program developed by Collège Communautaire du Nouveau-Brunswick (CCNB) and New Brunswick Community College (NBCC). In addition, the department provides registered educators with support grants for tuition fees and training materials. This online part-time program provides Educators the chance to complete their one-year college training in the evenings, while continuing to work.

Note: To be eligible for this program, educators must:

• Be currently working in a licensed childcare facility with children 0-5
• Be an entry level educator

 For more information or to apply, please visit  New Brunswick Community College or Collège Communautaire du Nouveau-Brunswick

The Wage Support Program for Early Childhood Educators (WSP-ECE) is a wage enhancement program administered by the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development that recognizes early childhood education as a profession. It encourages Early Childhood Educators to participate in higher-level training and it provides funding to improve the wages of qualified ECE and reduce staff turnover.

The Early Childhood Educator Wage Grid recognizes an educator’s training and qualifications, as well as their years of experience. Wages that are clearly articulated and predictable play an important role in the recruitment and retention of qualified ECEs. The ECE Wage Grid sets out the required minimum wage rate operators must pay eligible educators.

The ECE Wage Grid establishes the foundation for future investments in wages for ECEs and will be reviewed annually as per the Early Childhood Services Act.

Eligibility

The ECE Wage Grid Guidelines provide additional details for the administration of the Wage Support Program for Early Childhood Educators (WSP-ECE). The ECE Wage Grid is for:

• Educators and administrators working directly with children in designated New Brunswick Early Learning Centres
• Operators of designated New Brunswick Early Learning and Child Care Homes
• School-age educators working in licensed Early Learning and Child care facilities
• Untrained relief staff (with restrictions)