Requirements to work in regulated group child care - Newfoundland and Labrador

 

All staff working with children in a regulated child care centre and who are considered in the child-to-staff ratio must be certified.  There are five levels of certification.  The first four levels (Entry, Level 1, 2 and 3) are classified according to either the delivery method or the ages of the children in the program; Level 4 is the same for all age groups and family child care.  An ECE certificate typically involves one year of post-secondary study while an ECE diploma typically involves two years of post-secondary study.

Preschool: To work in a regulated child care centre with preschool children 2-6 years old who are not attending school:

  • Entry Level: Preschool Orientation Course
  • Level 1: Completion of provincially approved one-year ECE certificate program
  • Level 2: Completion of a provincially approved two-year ECE diploma program
  • Level 3:
    • Level 2 certification, plus a post-diploma ECE certificate or specialization or
    • A university degree plus a provincially recognized certificate in ECE (or equivalent)
  • Level 4:
    • A university degree in early childhood education or
    • A university degree plus a provincially recognized ECE diploma

School age: To work in a regulated child care centre with children 4-12 years old who also attend school:

  • Entry Level: School Age Orientation Course
  • Level 1:
    • ECE certificate plus School Age Orientation Course or
    • Related post-secondary certificate plus School Age Orientation Course if school age care is not included in the program
  • Level 2:
    • ECE diploma plus School Age Orientation Course or
    • Related post-secondary diploma plus School Age Orientation Course if school age care is not included in the program
  • Level 3:
    • Preschool or school age Level 2 plus post-diploma school age child care specialization or
    • An Education degree plus School Age Child Care Orientation Course or
    • Related university degree plus School Age Orientation Course
  • Level 4:
    • University degree in Early Childh ood Education or
    • A university degree plus an ECE diploma

Infant: To work in a regulated child care centre with children 0-23 months old:

  • No Entry Level available:  All ECEs working with infants must have Level 1 Preschool as a minimum qualification
  • Level 1: ECE certificate plus Infant Child Care Orientation Course if infant care is not included in the program
  • Level 2: ECE diploma plus Infant Child Care Orientation Course if infant care is not included in the program
  • Level 3:
    • ECE diploma plus post-diploma infant-toddler specialization or
    • Related university degree plus ECE certificate plus Infant Child Care Orientation Course
  • Level 4:
    • A university degree in early childhood education or
    • A university degree plus an ECE diploma

See information on orientation course.

Individuals may have more than one level of certification and classification.  See initial application form.

Centre-based programs:  An operator or head of a centre is required to have at least Level 2 certification, hold the classifications for the age groups of children the centre is licensed for, and have at least two years experience in a licensed child care centre. The lead staff in a room is required to have at least Level 1 certification in the classification that covers the age group of the children in the room.  All other staff are required to have at least Entry Level certification in the classifications for the age groups of the children in the room. 

Other:  ECE instructors and program consultants are required to have Level 4 certification.  Program consultants must also have at least three years experience in a child care setting.