Previously, Canadian trained applicants were referred to the Association of Early Childhood Educators Ontario (AECEO) or the Association francophone des services a l enfance de l Ontario (AFESEO) in order to have their educational qualifications individually assessed.

The College's process for individual assessment of educational credentials will apply to individuals who have relevant post secondary educational credentials, equivalent to an ECE diploma from an Ontario College of Applied Arts and Technology, but did not graduate from:

•  An Ontario College of Applied Arts and Technology (OCAAT) ECE diploma program; or
• A program listed on the College's  Approved Post Secondary Programs List

Please contact the College for more information regarding this process.

The College's application guide contains a list of Canadian Early Childhood Education programs outside of Ontario whose credentials are recognized by the College as of August 2008.  See pages 5-8 of the Application Guide. 

Applicants with an ECE credential as outlined in the Guide from an approved post-secondary institution may proceed with an application for registration with the College. Following the review, a learning prescription outlining necessary courses is provided to the applicant. See the steps to equivalency.

Applicants are usually required to take, at a minimum, Ontario-specific courses on legislation, health and safety, and a supervised practicum. The requirements must be completed within a two-year time frame. Once the prescription is completed, the AECEO provides a Letter of Equivalency Certificate to the applicant, who can then move to the registration process  with the College.

Applicants must submit a completed application form, proof of language fluency, copies of official diplomas/degrees and transcripts, and documentation of relevant work experience, including a resume, job descriptions and reference letters. Unless the applicant is exempt, an ECE Knowledge Assessment Exam and Language Fluency Testing is a required part of the equivalency process.  See the equivalency handbook and the equivalency application.

There is an equivalency application fee of $100 and an ECE knowledge assessment exam fee of $50.  The time from application to receiving a letter of prescription is approximately 6-8 weeks.

Out of province equivalency assessment will eventually become the responsibility of the College of Early Childhood Educators.

Note: Dialogue is underway between the College and the Ministry of Child and Youth Services regarding the implementation of the terms of the Agreement of Internal Trade.