College of Early Childhood Educators
The College officially opened in September 2008. For more than 20 years previous to that, organizations working in early learning and care lobbied the Government of Ontario to get legislative recognition for early childhood educators (ECEs).
In May 2007 the Ontario government passed the Early Childhood Educators Act, 2007. This law established the College of Early Childhood Educators (the College). The Act includes:
- A definition of what constitutes the practice of the profession.
- A requirement for persons to be members in order to practice the profession
- Title protection authorizing only members of the College to use the titles “early childhood educator” or “registered early childhood educator” or an abbreviation.
- Roles and responsibilities of the Registrar along with the Registration Appeals, Complaints, Discipline and Fitness to Practice Committees.
The College began to accept applications for membership in September 2008. Over 20,000 applications for membership were received within the first six months.
Home Child Care Association of Ontario
The Home Child Care Association of Ontario (HCCAO) represents more than 70 Licensed Home Child Care Agencies which provide licensed, home-based early learning and child care in over 3,000 homes across Ontario.
Home Child Care agencies or programs are licensed by the Ministry of Education and operate under regulations set out in the Child Care and Early Years Act of the Province of Ontario. Approved home child care providers are carefully selected to provide care for up to a maximum of six children. The ages of the children can range from infancy to twelve years. Individual approved providers are not licensed but are contracted by a licensed program to provide a form of licensed child care. The agency or program is responsible for ensuring the approved providers meet the requirements of the Child Care and Early Years Act.
Association of Early Childhood Educators, Ontario
Throughout its history, the Association of Early Childhood Educators, Ontario (AECEO) has organized and administered important developments in Early Childhood Education (ECE) in the areas of training, public awareness, equivalency, networking, professional development and recognition for the profession.
Association francophone à l’éducation des services à l’enfance de l’Ontario (AFESEO)
L’Association francophone à l’éducation des services à l’enfance de l’Ontario a comme objectifs généraux de :
- favoriser la communication et l’échange d’information en français;
- d’offrir de la formation et des ressources;
- agir auprès des différentes instances pour répondre aux besoins de la prime enfance.
Elle s’adresse à toutes personnes offrant des services éducatifs à l’enfance francophones de l’Ontario tels que les éducateurs ou éducatrices, gestionnaires, parents et intervenants auprès des jeunes enfants.
Coalition for Better Child Care
The Ontario Coalition for Better Child Care (OCBCC) is Ontario’s central advocacy group for a universal, affordable, high quality, public and non-profit system of early childhood education and care. Formed in 1981, the OCBCC is a member organization comprised of child care centres, national and provincial groups and individuals from all across Ontario. Our members are ECEs, child care workers, parents, grandparents, centre directors and trade unionists – most importantly we are people who care about child care.
Canadian Association of Young Children
The Canadian Association for Young Children (CAYC) was granted its Federal Charter in 1974. To this day, the CAYC is the only national association specifically concerned with the well being of children, birth through age nine – at home, in preschool settings and at school. Members of this multi-disciplinary association include parents, teachers, caregivers, administrators, students and all those wishing to share ideas and participate in activities related to the education and welfare of young children.
