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Information on the Classification of Early Childhood Educators and Child Care Assistants

 

Introduction

The Community Child Care Standards Act and Manitoba Regulation 62/86 outline comprehensive standards for early learning and child care (ELCC) for children in licensed facilities including ELCC centres, nursery schools and family child care homes. There are also standards for child care employee training. These standards ensure children’s health and safety and recognize the need for qualified early childhood educators (ECEs) to educate and care for young children.

Classification

Early Learning and Child Care is a regulated profession across Canada. Each province and territory has its own regulations and classification requirements. In Manitoba, classification levels are only available to residents of Canada and applicants must be legally eligible to work in Canada. Anyone seeking paid employment or a volunteer position in a licensed early learning and child care centre or group child care home in Manitoba, must hold a Manitoba classification level before beginning work. Classification is recommended but not required for Manitoba licensed family home-based child care providers. Classification levels are based on completed post-secondary education.

There are three levels in Manitoba:

  • Child Care Assistant (CCA)
  • Early Childhood Educator (ECE) II
  • Early Childhood Educator (ECE) III

Application Process

There are several options on the Child Care Worker Classification Application. Select the correct option to ensure accurate assessment of your application and collect the required documents necessary to support your application. Upon employment in a Manitoba child care facility, all child care workers will be required to confirm their status in Canada and complete a Criminal record Check and a Child Abuse Registry Check.

  1. Child Care Assistant (CCA):
    The Child Care Assistant (CCA) classification provides entry-level credentials to residents of Canada and is required to legally work as a child care employee or a volunteer in a licensed child care centre or group child care home in Manitoba. Applicants do not need post-secondary education specific to early childhood education.

    Required Documents: One piece of Government issued Photo ID with a valid Manitoba address OR two pieces of ID to confirm your name and address.
    Within the first year of employment, Child Care Assistants are required to complete a forty-hour post-secondary training course requirement related to early childhood education.

  2. Early Childhood Educator (ECE) II or III:
    Applicants for ECE ll classification require a degree or diploma specific to Early Childhood Education with a minimum of 1800 – 2000 study hours including 520 hours of practicum through a recognized early childhood education program at a Manitoba post-secondary institution . ECE II classification can also be obtained through the ECE II Assessment Program. An additional credential above the diploma level is required for the ECE III level.

    Required Documents: Copy of official transcripts of ECE II or III-related education. Transcripts must indicate that you have graduated. One piece of government issued photo ID with a valid Manitoba address or two pieces of ID to confirm your name and address.

  3. Educational Review—Only available to those with Manitoba residency
    Applicants with education from Quebec, New Brunswick, Nunavut, or the Northwest Territories or for those applying with education from outside of Canada.

    Required Documents: Copy of official transcripts of ECE II or III-related education. Transcripts must indicate that you have graduated. You may require a credential assessment report from International Qualification Assessment Services (IQAS) or World Education Service (WES). Two pieces of government ID to verify your full legal name and address.

  4. Canadian Free Trade Agreement (CFTA)
    Applicants who have been employed in or have certification as an early childhood educator from Alberta, British Columbia, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Saskatchewan, or the Yukon.
    Note: Applicants who do not have a certificate, will undergo an Educational Review - see above.

    Required Documents: Copy of your certificate/official recognition and two pieces of Government ID to verify your full legal name and address.

  5. Upgrade Classification:
    CCAs or ECE IIs may apply for a higher level of classification if they have completed further education in early childhood education.

    Required Documents: Copy of official transcripts of ECE II or III-related education. Transcripts must indicate that you have graduated.

  6. Reissue Classification Certificate:
    Applicants who need a replacement certificate may request a reissue.

    Required Documents: For name changes, proof of name change or one piece of government issued photo ID is required. To replace a lost certificate, one piece of Government issued identification with your current full name and address is required.

To apply for classification, follow steps A, B and C. There is no charge for this service.

A. Complete the application form

  1. To apply for Child Care Assistant, complete the online form: Classification as a Child Care Worker Application – Child Care Assistant (Online)
  2. To apply for Canadian Free Trade Agreement complete the online form: Classification as a Child Care Worker Application – Canadian Free Trade Agreement (Online)
  3. To apply for ECE ll or lll, Educational Review, Upgrade or Re-issue, download and complete the fillable PDF form:
    Classification as a Child Care Worker Application – Early Childhood Educator (ECE ll, ECElll), Educational Review, Upgrade, Re-issue (PDF)

If you prefer a paper application, contact Child Care Information Services at 204-945-0776 in Winnipeg or toll free 1-888-213-4754 or by email at: cdccertificate@gov.mb.ca.

 

B. Attach correct documentation

Certified or notarized translations are required for all documents not in English or French.

Proof of name change if any document shows a name other than your current legal name.

Acceptable Proof of Identity Includes:

  • Driver’s License
  • Manitoba Identification Card
  • Birth Certificate
  • Social Insurance Number card/document
  • Utility bill or rental agreement for proof of address
  • Passport
  • Provincial/Territorial Health Card
  • Permanent Resident Card
  • Manitoba Metis Federation Citizenship Card
  • Secured Indian Status Card

Acceptable Proof of Transcript/Certificate:

  • Scanned copies including photocopies or pictures of official documents. Digital transcripts from the applicant or directly from the educational institution (see below for Recognized Education). Verified photocopies.

Acceptable Proof of Name Change:

  • Marriage certificate or registration
  • Divorce certificate
  • Legal name change certificate
  • Birth certificate plus current identification, such as a driver’s licence

C. Submit the application and any required documentation

Note: Incomplete applications will not be processed and applications that are missing information or documentation will be returned to the applicant.

Email: cdccertificate@gov.mb.ca


Mail:
Early Learning and Child Care Division
Attention: Qualifications Services
210 - 114 Garry Street
Winnipeg, Manitoba
R3C 4V4

In person:
1st floor reception, 114 Garry Street, Winnipeg, Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
If you are unable to submit documents via email, we can photocopy and verify your original documents while you wait. You will receive your classification certificate via email.
Child care employees are responsible for advising their employers of their classification level. Provide your employer with a photocopy and retain your original documents.

Recognized Education

The Child Care Qualifications and Training Committee (CCQTC) monitors the quality and standards of post-secondary early childhood education programs in Manitoba. The Committee also reviews and makes recommendations education programs for the ELCC sector.

Early Childhood Educator (ECE) II classification requires:

Successful completion of one of the following two-year diploma programs approved by CCQTC:

Please note that a variety of delivery models may be available including the Workplace Program, Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), or Continuing and Distance Education (online). View ECE ll Training Pathways flyer for a highlight of delivery options or contact each college or university for specific information.
OR

  • Successful completion of an ECE II Assessment program offered by the ELCC Division.

Early Childhood Educator (ECE) III classification requires:

A current ECE II classification and the successful completion of one of the following programs recognized by Child Care Qualifications and Training Committee (CCQTC):

Applicants will be issued a Child Care Assistant classification if their education does not have a minimum of 1800-2000 hours of study with 520 hours of practicum, or is not specific to Early Childhood Education (such as a one year ECE certificate, Bachelor of Education, Bachelor of Social Work Diploma in Child and Youth Care, Montessori diploma).

Certification in the early learning and child care system in Manitoba is separate from teaching and professional certification in the Kindergarten – Grade 12 education system. If you are looking for certification in Manitoba as a teacher or a school clinician, contact the Professional Certification Unit.

 

Assessment for Out of Province Education

If you have lived, been employed in and have certification as an early childhood educator in Alberta, Saskatchewan, Ontario, Newfoundland/Labrador, British Columbia, Yukon, Nova Scotia or Prince Edward Island, you may apply for classification in Manitoba under the Canadian Free Trade Agreement (CFTA). This option only applies to new applicants that have not previously been classified in Manitoba.

Equivalency Assessment for Out of Country Education

If you completed post-secondary education in ECE or related to ELCC of Canada, you will be required to submit a credential assessment report. For more information on internationally educated applicants, please contact our Certification and Training Supports team at cdccertificate@gov.mb.ca or visit: Province of Manitoba | Education - Internationally Educated Applicants.

Appealing Your Classification

First, contact Child Care Information Services at 204-945-0776 or toll-free at 1-888-213-4754 to discuss your concerns. If you feel your assessment was not processed according to the regulations and you wish to appeal your classification level, you must do so within 30 days of receiving your classification by submitting written notification to:


Social Services Appeal Board
7th floor – 175 Hargrave Street
Winnipeg, MB R3C 3R8
PH: (204)945-3003 Fax: 945-1736
Email: ssab@gov.mb.ca


The Community Child Care Standards Act authorizes this committee to hear all differences of opinion related to ELCC classification and determine whether proper procedures were carried out in the classification process.

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Educational Institution Contacts

For more information about recognized post-secondary education options for early childhood education or for an independent credit transfer assessment, please contact:

Assiniboine College
1430 Victoria Avenue East Brandon, MB R7A 1B6
Phone: 204-725-8700, ext. 6882
Toll free: 1-800-862-6307, ext. 6882
https://assiniboine.net/
Registrations Phone: 204-725-8700 ext 4032

Université de Saint-Boniface (USB)
200, avenue de la Cathédrale
Winnipeg (Manitoba)
R2H 0H7
204-237-1818, poste 356
www.ustboniface.ca
Introduction à la profession en éducation de la jeune enfance (EJE 010)
Téléphone: 204-237-1818, poste 737
Programme régulier (diplôme)
Téléphone: 204-237-1818, poste 739
Programme milieu de travail (diplôme)
Téléphone: 204-237-1818, poste 738
Post-diplôme en gestion dans le domaine de l’éducation de la jeune enfance
Téléphone: 204-237-1818, poste 737

Red River College Polytechnic
Early Childhood Education Program
A109 – 2055 Notre Dame Avenue
Winnipeg, MB
R3H 0J9
Admissions office:
Phone 204-632-2328 Toll free: 1-800-903-7707
www.rrc.mb.ca
ECE – Prior Learning Assessment
Phone: 204-632-2353
www.rrc.mb.ca/prior/
School of Continuing Education
Phone: 204-694-1789
Toll free: 1-866-242-7073

University College of the North (UCN)
P.O. Box 3000 436 – 7th Street
The Pas, MB
R9A 1M7
Phone toll free: 1-866-627-8500
www.ucn.ca
Thompson Campus
504 Princeton Drive
Thompson, MB
R8N 0A5
Phone toll free: 1-866-677-6450
ECE Program Co-ordinator
204-627-8635 Ext 1
204-620-8012 cell
layres@ucn.ca

University of Winnipeg (UW)
515 Portage Avenue
Winnipeg, MB
R3B 2E9
Developmental Studies Program (Faculty of Arts)
Phone: 204-786-9491
http://developmentalstudies.uwinnipeg.ca/
Advanced Diploma in Leadership in Early Childhood Care and Education
(Division of Professional, Applied and Continuing Education)
Phone: 204-982-1143
http://pace.uwinnipegcourses.ca/

Louis Riel College
150 Henry Ave,
Winnipeg, MB
R3B 0J7
Phone: 204-984-9480
http://lrvc.ca/

Manitoba Institute of Trades and Technology (MITT)
130 Henlow Bay
Winnipeg, MB
R3Y 1G4
Phone: 204-989-6500
http://mitt.ca/
info@mitt.ca

Robertson College
180 Main Street
Winnipeg, MB
R3C 1A6
Phone: 1-204-943-5661
Toll Free: 1-877-880-8789
https://www.robertsoncollege.com/programs/early-childhood-educator/

Qualifications of Child Care Centre Staff

The Community Child Care Standards Act and Manitoba Regulation 62/86 outline the proportion of trained ECE IIs and ECE IIIs required in licensed ELCC centres and nursery schools.

Infant and Preschool Early Learning and Child Care Centres
At least two thirds of the staff are required to be classified at the ECE II or III level. Directors must be classified at the ECE III level at the time of licensing.

School Age Child Care Centres
At least half of the staff are required to be classified at the ECE II or III level. Directors must be classified at the ECE II or III level at the time of licensing.

Nursery Schools
Operating four or more part days per week: At least half of the staff are required to be classified as ECE II or ECE III. Directors must be classified at the ECE II or III level at the time of licensing.
Operating three or fewer part days per week: One staff person for every 30 licensed spaces is required to be an ECE II or III. This person is not required to be the director of the nursery school.
Visit Careers in Child Care for more information about working in Early Childhood Education in Manitoba.

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