| Province(s)/Territorie(s): Manitoba |
Manitoba
All staff working with children in child care centres, nursery schools and school-age child care centres must be classified. There are three levels of classification:
Two-thirds of staff in a full-time child care centre for 0-6 year olds, and one-half of staff in a school-age centre or nursery school, must be classified as an ECE II or III.
A director in a full-time child care centre must be classified as an ECE III; a director in a school-age centre or nursery school must be classified as an ECE II. Directors are required to also have at least one year of experience in working with children in child care or in a related field.
Application for classification as a Child Care Assistant requires only a completed application form.
Application for classification as an ECE II or ECE III requires a completed application form and original transcript.
Applications may be made online or by mail to the Qualifications Coordinator, Manitoba Child Care Program.
See the classification process for details.
The process for classification must be initiated before beginning employment at a licensed child care centre. The process is usually completed in three weeks or less. Out of province applications may take longer to assess. There is no fee for certification.
There are no residency requirements for certification, but the applicant must have a Canadian address.
Contact the Manitoba Child Care Program for more information.
Application for an upgrade of classification can be made by completing an application form (www.manitoba.ca/childcare) and submitting official transcripts of relevant post-secondary education for assessment. Contact the Manitoba Child Care Program for more information.
Classification does not expire and there are no requirements for renewal.
The Community Child Care Standards Act allows for cancellation or suspension of a certificate when the director is satisfied that an individual has made a false statement in the application for the certificate, or believes that the employment of the person named in the certificate may be hazardous to the health, safety or well-being of children.
A list of approved Manitoba post-secondary ECE programs are listed in the Information on the Classification of Early Childhood Educators and Child Care Assistants document.
All programs are reviewed, approved and monitored by the Child Care Education Program Approval Committee (CCEPAC).
Individuals with post-secondary education (generally two years) and 60 hours of professional development within the last two years may apply to the Competency Based Assessment/Prior Learning Assessment (CBA/PLA) program. It takes approximately eight months to complete and entitles the individual to an ECE II classification. Details of the CBA/PLA program are contained in theCompetency Based Assessment/Prior Learning Assessment Program and Policies brochure available from the Manitoba Child Care Program.
Individuals certified in Early Childhood Education in another province or territory may apply for classification in Manitoba under the Agreement on Internal Trade and The Labour Mobility Act.
If an applicant has not already achieved certification in another province or territory, an assessment of credentials is carried out. All two-year ECE diploma programs from a public college in Canada are recognized in Manitoba. A completed application form and an official transcript are sent to the Qualifications Coordinator. Applicants may be eligible for the CBA/PLA program, which takes about 8 months to complete. The process involves portfolio development, self assessment and demonstration of the evidence of performance, assessed against the Standards of Performance developed for the field.
International credentials and applications are handled on a case-by-case basis. Usually the applicant is asked to provide a resume and to have an interview with the Qualifications Coordinator. An educational equivalency assessment is conducted by the Manitoba Child Care Program in consultation with the Manitoba Department of Labour and Immigration. There is no fee for the assessment.
Based on the equivalency assessment, the Qualifications Coordinator determines the classification levels and, if an individual is eligible, may refer them to the Early Childhood Educator/Internationally Educated Qualifications Program (ECE:IEQ). The program takes approximately 14-16 weeks to complete and, upon successful completion, the individual receives an ECE II classification. Eligibility requires the individual to have at least two years international post-secondary education with an Early Childhood Education focus, experience working in ECE before arriving to Canada, and be underemployed or seeking employment in the child care field. Individuals are assigned a peer mentor/assessor and the program includes an orientation, workshops, networking sessions and access to resource materials. There is no fee for the IEQ process.
Individuals who have had their transcripts assessed by the Manitoba Child Care Program may appeal their classification level in writing within 90 days of being assessed. If resolution is not achieved in an interview with the individual, appeals are sent to the Staff Qualifications Review Committee, whose members are appointed to a term by the minister, and an appeal hearing may be held.
There are no certification requirements for a family child care provider. Providers are required to complete an approved 40-hour post-secondary course in family child care or ECE within the first year of operating. Relevant course work completed in the previous eight years is considered valid.
Providers who are classified as an ECE II or ECE III may charge a higher daily fee, equivalent to the fees charged in child care centres.
Providers are assessed by the Manitoba Child Care Program for suitability to provide care based on recognized family child care competencies. Providers require a first-aid certificate with CPR training relevant to the age group being cared for.
All adults in family must have clear criminal record check.
Manitoba Child Care Program has an emphasis on ensuring individuals have access to and are encouraged to acquire a post-secondary credential. Manitoba Child Care facilities have access to numerous forms of training, as well as supports, including:
Manitoba has a nine-person Child Care Staff Qualifications Review Committee to advise the minister on requirements for and qualifications of staff and the relevant training, and to perform related duties and functions as may be required by the minister.
Manitoba Child Care Program
Qualifications Services
219-114 Garry Street
Winnipeg Manitoba R3C 4V6
Telephone: (204) 945-0776; Toll-free 1-888-213-4754
E-mail: cdcinfo@gov.mb.ca
Copyright Canadian Child Care Human Resources Sector Council
Formerly funded by the Government of Canada's Sector Council Program
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