Early Childhood Assistant
ABC Access Business College

Program Description

This Diploma is approved as vocational programs under the Private Career Colleges Act, 2005

Early childhood educators plan and organize activities for preschool and school-age children.

Early childhood educator assistants provide care and guidance to preschool children under the supervision of early childhood educators.



Early childhood educators and assistants lead children in activities to stimulate and develop their intellectual, physical and emotional growth.



They are employed in child-care centres, kindergartens, nursery schools, agencies for exceptional children, and other environments where early childhood education services are provided, or they may be self-employed. Early childhood educators who are supervisors are included in this group.



Career opportunities

child-care worker assistant, child-care worker, day-care helper, day-care supervisor, day-care worker, early childhood assistant, early childhood education worker, early childhood educator, early childhood educator assistant, early childhood program staff assistant, early childhood supervisor, preschool helper, preschool supervisor, preschool teacher

Main responsibilities

Early childhood educators perform some or all of the following duties:

Develop and implement daily activities that support and promote the development of children
Lead children in activities by telling or reading stories, teaching songs, demonstrating the use of simple musical instruments, preparing craft materials and demonstrating their use, providing opportunities for creative expression through the media of art, dramatic play, music and physical fitness, and taking the children to local points of interest
Guide and assist children in the development of proper eating, dressing and toilet habits
Observe children for signs of learning disabilities or emotional problems and take appropriate action
Assess the skills, abilities, interests and needs of children
Discuss progress or problems of children with parents and other staff members
Establish and maintain collaborative relationships with other community service providers working with children
Attend meetings and workshops to develop and discuss new teaching methods
May plan and organize activities for school-age children in child-care programs before and after regular school hours
May supervise and co-ordinate the activities of other early childhood educators and early childhood educator assistants

Early childhood educator assistants perform some or all of the following duties:

Conduct and monitor activity programs designed for young children
Lead children in activities by telling stories, teaching songs and preparing craft materials
Prepare and serve snacks
Arrange rooms and furniture for lunch and rest periods
Assist with proper eating, dressing and toilet habits
Submit written observations on children to supervisor
Attend staff meetings to discuss progress and problems of children
Assist supervisor in keeping records
Maintain day-care equipment and assist in housekeeping duties

Employment requirements

Early childhood educators

A bachelor's degree or college diploma in early childhood education is required
Progression to senior positions, such as day-care supervisor, is possible with experience

Early childhood educator assistants

Completion of secondary school is usually required
Experience in child care, such as babysitting, is required
Completion of an early childhood education assistant certificate program may be required

Early Childhood Assistant Course Details