| Province(s)/Territorie(s): Nova Scotia |
Nova Scotia
All staff working with children in a licensed child care facility must be classified. There are four levels of Classification:
1. Entry Level Classification: Staff who do not meet the regulated training requirements must complete the Orientation for Staff Working in Licensed Child Care Facilities within the first year of employment.
2. Level One Classification:
3. Level Two Classification:
4. Level Three Classification:
Two-thirds of staff in a licensed centre must hold Level One, Two or Three. Classification, and directors must hold Level two or Three Classification.
Two-thirds of staff in a licensed school-age program must hold Level one, two or three Classification or School-Age Training Approval.
School-Age Training Approval:
All staff working directly with children must apply for a Classification or School-Age Training Approval. Application is made to Child Care Staff Classification Services. Visit the Classification for Child Care Staff website for detailed information.
Staff complete an application form and provide official transcripts as proof of having met the requirements for a Classification or School-Age Training Approval.
The process for Classification / School-Age Approval must be initiated before beginning employment at a licensed child care facility. There is no fee for Classification. For more information, see the Child Care Staff Classification Services A Guide to Classification and School Age Approval.
Application for an upgrade of Classification can be made by completing a Request for Change of Information form and submitting official transcripts of relevant post-secondary education for assessment.
Classification does not expire provided staff submit proof of continuing professional development.
Staff are required to submit proof of completion of thirty hours of professional development to enhance skills and knowledge specific to early childhood care and education in every three year period following the date their Classification was issued.
Proof of continuing professional development is submitted to Child Care Staff Classification Services.
The Day Care Act and Regulations allows for cancellation of a certificate when the Minister is satisfied that the Classification / School-Age Training Approval was issued based on false information, or the individual has been found guilty of a criminal offense by a court of law, or the individual has failed to provide proof of continuing professional development
Post-secondary ECE programs are recognized based on compliance with the Nova Scotia Post Secondary Standards for Early Childhood Education. A "training program in Early Childhood Education" means one of the following:
Applicants for Level One Classification provide proof of completion of course work inclusive of three post-secondary courses in the following subject areas:
Child Development
Behaviour Guidance
Curriculum and Programming for Young Children
Applicants for Level One Classification provide proof of completion of a guided workplace experience providing opportunities to link course work with practice.
Applicants for Level One Classification provide proof of completion of the Orientation for Staff Working in Licensed Child Care Facilities.
Level One Classification course work and the guided workplace experience is completed through a recognized post-secondary institution.
Individuals certified in Early Childhood Education in another province or territory may apply for Classification in Nova Scotia under the Agreement on Internal Trade and The Labour Mobility Act.
If an applicant has not already achieved certification in another province or territory, an assessment of credentials is carried out.
A completed application form and an official transcript are sent to Child Care Staff Classification Services.
International credentials and applications are handled on a case-by-case basis. Applications are submitted to Child Care Staff Classification Services.
International applicants must include an English or French translation of all documentation submitted along with the application form.
International applicants may be required to complete all or part of the Orientation for Staff working in Licensed Child Care Facilities.
There is no formal appeal process. However, individuals may request to have their qualifications re-assessed if there is additional information/documentation presented.
Providers must be at least 18 years old, must complete the Canadian Child Care Federation Family Home Day Care Training (Level One), hold current first aid and infant CPR certificates, provide criminal reference and child abuse registry checks, and participate in ongoing professional development training.
Family home consultants must have a Level Two or Three Classification and two years of work experience in an early childhood setting.
Regulations pertaining to training as described in this document come into effect on May 1, 2012. For more information, see the government of Nova Scotia's Community Services Site, with detailed information on the Day Care Act and Day Care Regulations.
Ms. Patricia Mertins, Coordinator
Child Care Staff Classification Services
NS Department of Community Services
P.O. Box 696
Halifax, Nova Scotia B3J 2T7
Telephone: (902) 424-3207
Fax: (902) 424-0708
Email: mertinpj@gov.ns.ca
Copyright Canadian Child Care Human Resources Sector Council
Formerly funded by the Government of Canada's Sector Council Program
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