Early Childhood Educators play a crucial role in the overall development of young children 0-6 years of age, and their expertise goes far beyond basic child care. They are skilled professionals who understand the complexities of early development and use their expertise to shape the future of young children, setting them on a path to lifelong learning and well-being.
Jump ahead to:
- How to Become an Early Childhood Educator
- Join a Professional Community
- Early Years Workshop Series
- ECE Jobs in Muskoka
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Resources
How to Become an Early Childhood Educator
There are a variety of pathways to becoming a Registered Early Childhood Educator. Explore the options and find one that works for you. Speak to your guidance or career counsellor or call the District of Muskoka to learn more.
Most colleges have in-person, online and hybrid options.
| Programs Near Muskoka |
| Grants and Bursaries |
| Co-op Options |
Join a Professional Community
The joy of being an Early Childhood Educator is the community that supports ongoing learning. The depth and breadth of knowledge required to provide quality learning is never ending. Whether joining a book club, attending a conference or workshop, or sharing some online learning with colleagues, the Professional Early Learning Community in Muskoka is vibrant and welcoming.
| Early Years Workshop Series |
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The District offers an Early Years Workshop Series geared to Early Childhood Educators and other Early Learning Professionals. These workshops are offered throughout the year and occur virtually and in-person. If you are an Early Learning Professional located in the Muskoka community and you would like to receive an invitation to upcoming workshops, please complete this form to be added to our workshop distribution list. Please note that your professional portfolio must include providing services to young children in the Muskoka community for you to be eligible to register for Early Years Workshops. If you practice outside of Muskoka region, please contact Children's Services via email or phone 705-645-2412 ext. 4140 to inquire about space availability. May Early Years Workshop - Becoming Rainbow Food Explorers with Janet Nezon June Early Years Workshop - Infant and Early Years Mental Health Deep Dive June Early Years Workshop - Infant and Early Years Mental Health Deep Dive - Facilitator Training |
| Professional Monthly Newsletter |
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Early Years Muskoka Professional Development Newsletters Sign up to receive these monthly Professional Development Newsletters! |
| Pedagogy of Care Conference |
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The Pedagogy of Care Conference is a conference about childhood education, for childhood educators, and celebrates childhood educators! The conference is only open to Muskoka Early Learning and Child Care staff. Each conference provides accommodations, food, paid wages, incredible speakers, entertainment, prizes and so much more. Visit the Pedagogy of Care Conference page to learn more about the event and stay tuned for the next one! |
| Association of Early Childhood Educators Ontario (AECEO) - Care Collectives |
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CARE Collectives are a regional or allied community that acts as an extension of the provincial body and collaborates with the AECEO to provide access to the decent work and professional pay project across the province. These Collectives are self-determined learning groups that connect folks to supports, resources, and shared experiences to strengthen a unified early years workforce. Learn more about Care Collectives. |
ECE Jobs in Muskoka
The Early Years sector is growing and there are a variety of positions available at any time. An Early Childhood Educator can apply their skills to a variety of settings, whether in a child care, EarlyON Child and Family Centre, Kindergarten classroom or focusing on special needs and working with Community Living, HANDS or other community partners, a professional setting that aligns with your core values is in Muskoka waiting for you.
- District of Muskoka
- Indeed
- Job Bank
- Workopolis
- Licensed Child Cares in Muskoka
- Trillium Lakeland District School Board
- Simcoe Muskoka Catholic School Board
- Venture Muskoka
Frequently Asked Questions
| What are the pay and benefits like for an ECE in Muskoka? |
| Most child care programs and other settings offer RECE’s a starting salary between $23 - $26. Benefits depend on the organization. |
| Are there opportunities to gain skills and add to my CPL? |
| The District of Muskoka provides a variety of in-person and virtual learning opportunities to continue your learning in the profession. These are free and certificates are available to add to your Continuous Professional Learning (CPL) portfolio. |
| Are all child care programs the same? |
| While all licensed child care programs follow the same guidelines set out by the Ministry of Education, each centre may then have its own philosophy (Montessori, Reggio etc.) and its own core values of specialty, like a Forest School or child-led etc. It is important to research the different centres to find one that aligns with your own values. |
Resources
Whether you are a student in Early Childhood Education, a new grad or working in the Early Learning and Child Care sector, these resources will help answer questions you may have, provide new learning opportunities and help connect you to communities of practice here in Muskoka and across the Province.
- CECE - College of Early Childhood Education
- ECCDC - Early Childhood Community Development Centre
- AECEO - Association of Early Childhood Educators Ontario
- MNO - Metis Nations of Ontario
- OCBCC - Ontario Coalition for Better Child Care
- EYS - Early Years Study
- SECD - Science of Early Child Development
Important Information for the ELCC sector:
There are always a number of research articles and videos from economic professionals to policy makers. Below are some informative perspectives on the Early Learning and Child Care sector.
Dr. Emis Akbari, PhD. Professor of Early Childhood Education, Senior Policy Fellow at the Atkinson Centre
Armine Yalnizyan, Feminist, Economist, Toronto Star Columnist, Atkinson Fellow on the Future of Work
- The Canada Wide Early Learning and Child Care Plan, Who is Being Left Out
- Quality Early Learning and Child Care is Economic Infrastructure
Gordon Cleveland, Consultant Economist
A community approach to understanding the Early Childhood Education Workforce Knowing Our Numbers.