Educator recruitment, training and retention

The key elements of quality child care services include a stable workforce that is knowledgeable, experienced, and caring. Early Childhood Educators play a critical role in supporting the development and education of young children in various early learning and child care settings.

Early Childhood Educators create safe, inclusive environments that foster exploration, while helping children develop social and emotional skills. Collaborating with families is key, ensuring parents are partners in their child's growth.

In New Brunswick, Early Childhood Educators adhere to the Early Childhood Services Act and Regulations, engage in ongoing professional development, and participate in children’s learning through the implementation of the province's Curriculum Framework for Early Learning and Childcare, which emphasizes:

• play-based learning to support children's development,
• responsive relationships,
• children’s strengths,
• in engaging environments.

The curriculum framework views children as confident, active learners whose learning, growth, and development are profoundly influenced by the quality of their relationships with people and their interactions with places and things.

Many Early Childhood Educators in New Brunswick start their career after obtaining an ECE Certificate, Diploma, or Bachelor’s Degree; others choose to enter the field prior to obtaining their credentials. Whatever career path an educator chooses, the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development (EECD) supports the delivery of a wide range of innovative training options for educators.

• Introduction to Early Childhood Education
  You can start your career pathway in Early Childhood Education with the 90-hour online training for Entry Level Educators who have no prior training in early childhood education.
  Note: The 30-hours Curriculum Framework for Early Learning and Childcare – this training is mandatory for all educators who did not complete this curriculum training as part of their recognized training.
• Micro-Credential Program
  Complete your Early Childhood Educator Certificate in 6 to 8 months while working in a licensed childcare facility with children 0-5 at no cost to the educator.
• Work-Study Program
  Complete your Early Childhood Educator Certificate while working in a licensed childcare facility with children 0-5 at no cost to the educator.
• Early Childhood Education (ECE) Diploma (2yr) and Certificate (1yr)
  Offered online and in person.
  Program Details NBCC
  Program Details CCNB
  Program Details Oulton College
  Program Details Eastern College
  Program Details Atlantic Business College
  Program Details NBICC
• Bachelor of Education in Early Childhood Education
  Complete your Bachelor of Education in Early Childhood online in only 2 years if you have completed an Early Childhood Education Diploma.
  Program Details UNB

Learn more about tuition reimbursement

Other requirements for an Early Childhood Educator

Early Childhood Educators are required as per the Early Childhood Services Act to provide their employer with:

• A criminal and vulnerable sector record check,
• A new Social Development Record Check on the form provided by the employer, and
• A valid Basic First Aid Training certificate with infant and child CPR.

The Wage Support Program for Early Childhood Educators (WSP-ECE) is a wage enhancement program administered by EECD 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 ECEs 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.

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)

Funding Levels are determined based on the following qualifications and training:

Level 1:

• Certificate or Diploma in Early Childhood Education
• Related degree in Education or Early Childhood Development
• Unrelated degree

*While an unrelated degree is accepted as a Level 1 on the wage grid, for licensing purposes this educator would require the 90 hr Introduction to ECE online course, offered at no cost to educators.*

Entry Level:

• Introduction to Early Childhood Education (90 hours)
• School Age Educators (untrained)
• Untrained Relief staff (with restrictions)

Mandatory training requirements for Level 1 and Entry Level educators working in Designated Facilities with children 0-5 years:

• New Brunswick Curriculum Framework for Early Learning and Childcare, OR
• Curriculum éducatif des Services de garde francophones du Nouveau-Brunswick

Note: School Age Educators are exempt from curriculum training.

Training of Early Learning and Childcare educators is an important determinant of the quality-of-care children receive. Educators must be warm and emotionally engaged with children but also have the necessary knowledge, skills and abilities to stimulate their overall development.

Funding of up to $3,000 is available to:

• Early Childhood Education (ECE) graduates who completed their ECE Certificate or Diploma after January 1, 2007, and are now working in a Licensed Early Learning and Childcare facility.

** Please note that educators who have participated in government-sponsored programs, such as the micro credential and work-study programs, are not eligible for this tuition rebate.**

The Department collaborates with the New Brunswick Community College (NBCC) and the Collège Communautaire du Nouveau-Brunswick (CCNB) to address the educational needs of early childhood educators. Each year, EECD assesses the demand for various training programs to determine which courses will be offered. These programs may vary from semester to semester, depending on the demand. For the most up-to-date course offerings, please contact NBCC or CCNB directly.

Introduction to Early Childhood Education  

The Introduction to Early Childhood Education course is a 90-hour online training course, provided by the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development (EECD) at no cost to educators working in licenced Early Learning and Childcare facilities with preschool children 0-5 years of age.

This mandatory training for educators with no prior early learning and childcare training, provides:

• 60-hours Orientation to Early Childhood Education
• 30-hours Introduction to Early Learning and Childcare

Information about registration is provided by the employer at the time of hiring.

Note:  Early Childhood Educators with certificates or diplomas obtained outside of New Brunswick, or whose programs do not include this in formal training are required to take the 30-hour Curriculum Framework for Early Learning and Childcare – English training.

Did you know?

The Introduction to Early Childhood Education course is also offered as an optional course in some high schools in New Brunswick and is recognized by:

• New Brunswick colleges for those registered in an Early Childhood Education certificate or diploma program.
• EECD and Early Learning and Child Care facility employers.

Students interested in this optional course should speak with their counsellor for more information.

A copy of the 90-hour Introduction to Early Childhood Education certificate, confirming completion of training in high school, should be provided with your application to an employer or post-secondary institution.

Micro-credentialing – Experiential Learning 

The Department supports the delivery of the micro-credentialing program designed by the New Brunswick Community College (NBCC). Additional funding is available to support registered educators with tuition fees and learning materials.

This program, which takes 6 to 8 months to complete, includes:  

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

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

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

For more information or to apply, please visit: 

• New Brunswick Community College

Professional Learning Guidelines

Early Childhood Educators working in designated Early Learning and Child Care facilities are required to complete 10 hours of professional learning each year. Learn more about the professional learning opportunities for Early Childhood Educators:

Learn more about the career pathways for Early Childhood Educators through the Career Roadmap.

There are numerous rewarding roles available for those passionate about working in Early Childhood. Discover the diverse career paths that align with your skills and interests:

Educator

• Educator in an Early Learning and Child Care Centre   
• Home Care Provider at Early Learning and Child Care Home
• Support Staff
• Relief Staff
• Inclusion Support Worker in Early Learning and Child Care Centre

Pedagogical Leader

• Early Learning Consultant
• A Pedagogical Leader within Facilities

Administrative Staff

• Centre Administrator

Founder or Entrepreneur

• Early Learning and Child Care Home Operator
• Early Learning and Child Care Centre Operator
• Not-for-Profit Child Care Centre Board of Directors/Operator

ECE Career in Government

• Early Childhood Services team
• Early Learning Consultant
• Early Learning Specialist
• Quality Assurance Monitor
• Inspector
• Manager
• Program Consultant

Throughout the implementation of the Workforce Development Strategy initiatives, educators and operators have been invited to participate and provide essential input to the design and development phases.

More than 175 early childhood educators and operators across New Brunswick have participated in the development of initiatives for projects associated with the Workforce Development Strategy, and have collaborated on projects, such as:

• An awareness campaign on the role of Early Childhood Educators
• Pedagogical leadership training and tools
• Organizational leadership training and tools

This work is ongoing, and the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development (EECD) is committed to continuing this work by engaging educators and operators in the development of initiatives for the Workforce Development Strategy.

To learn more about EECD’s engagement strategy, please see the Engagement Strategy – June 2023 Report: Engagement and Partnerships.

Explore current job opportunities in the field of Early Childhood Education.

• NBjobs.ca
• Open Competitions (gnb.ca)
• jobbank.gc.ca

• Accueil | AFGÉNB (afgenb.ca)
• Accueil - CCNB
• Early Learning and Child Care in New Brunswick
• Information for Educators
• Educator Portal (nbed.nb.ca)
• NBCC (New Brunswick Community College)

Have Questions, Need Help?

Department of Education and Early Childhood Development
Email: ECEQuestionEPE@gnb.ca
Phone (toll free): 1-833-221-9339

To have your certificate, diploma, or degree completed outside of New Brunswick validated, please contact: exemption.ecpe@gnb.ca