| Province(s)/Territorie(s): Newfoundland and Labrador |
Newfoundland and Labrador
All staff working with children in a regulated child care centre and who are considered in the child-to-staff ratio must be certified. There are five levels of certification. The first four levels (Entry, Level 1, 2 and 3) are classified according to either the delivery method or the ages of the children in the program; Level 4 is the same for all age groups and family child care. An ECE certificate typically involves one year of post-secondary study while an ECE diploma typically involves two years of post-secondary study.
Preschool: To work in a regulated child care centre with preschool children 2-6 years old who are not attending school:
School age: To work in a regulated child care centre with children 4-12 years old who also attend school:
Infant: To work in a regulated child care centre with children 0-23 months old:
See information on orientation course.
Individuals may have more than one level of certification and classification. See initial application form.
Centre-based programs: An operator or head of a centre is required to have at least Level 2 certification, hold the classifications for the age groups of children the centre is licensed for, and have at least two years experience in a licensed child care centre. The lead staff in a room is required to have at least Level 1 certification in the classification that covers the age group of the children in the room. All other staff are required to have at least Entry Level certification in the classifications for the age groups of the children in the room.
Other: ECE instructors and program consultants are required to have Level 4 certification. Program consultants must also have at least three years experience in a child care setting.
An applicant is required to send a completed application form and official transcripts of any post-secondary programs or courses completed to the Registrar for Child Care Services Certification at the Association of Early Childhood Educators of Newfoundland and Labrador (AECENL).
See Child Care Services Certification information booklet. There is no fee for certification; a frame-size and/or a laminated frame-size certificate is available for $3.00 or $5.00 respectively.
There are no residency requirements for certification.
Application for an upgraded level of certification and/or an additional type of classification can be requested by completing a renewal/reissue application form and submitting appropriate documentation of additional education.
A reissue form can be found on the sidebar of AECENL's website.
Certificates are issued for a three-year period. A minimum of 30 hours of professional development is required in the three-year certificate period. Application for renewal should be submitted at least 30 days before the renewal date, along with proof of professional development. A renewal form can be found on the sidebar of AECENL's website.
Certification may be withdrawn if an individual allows it to lapse. It will be reinstated upon submission of documentation of required professional development and reapplication.
All ECE programs at post-secondary institutions recognized by the Newfoundland and Labrador Department of Education are approved. Approval from the Department of Education is guided by Newfoundland and Labrador's Early Childhood Care and Education Program Standards (2012).
The Registrar for Child Care Services Certification will assess related credentials to determine Equivalency and make recommendations to the Provincial Director of Child Care Services for approval. The Director of Child Care Services may then determine that a combination of educational qualifications are equivalent to one of the certification levels.
Individuals certified in Early Childhood Education as defined in provincial/territorial legislation in another province or territory will be certified in Newfoundland and Labrador at an equivalent level. If the applicant has not already achieved certification in another province or territory, the Registrar for Child Care Services Certification will review completed course work and practicum requirements, compare them to the Newfoundland and Labrador Early Childhood Care and Education Program Standards (2012), and make determination as to equivalency. Out-of-province ECE credentials are recognized if they are from a public or private college recognized in the home province.
The Registrar for Child Care Services Certification reviews international credentials. Assessment is guided by Newfoundland and Labrador's Early Childhood Care and Education Program Standards (2008). It is required that you send a general credential assessment comparing the credential to a Canadian credential from World Education Services with your documentation. If documentation is in a language other than English an official translation is required. Program and course descriptions and contact information for the post-secondary institution are recommended to facilitate assessment.
There is a two-step appeal process for individuals who are not satisfied with their assessed Level or Classification of Certification. A request for review may be made to the AECENL Board of Directors, stating the reason for the review. The Board will notify the individual in writing with its decision. A further request for review may then be made in writing to the Provincial Director of Child Care Services, with reasons stated for the second review.
Regulated family child care providers are required to have at least an Entry Level certification with Family Child Care classification. This classification requires successful completion of the Family Child Care Orientation Course.
Providers must hold a valid first aid certificate. A certificate of conduct and child protection record check is required for all residents of the home.
Providers must have 30 hours of professional development every three years. A certificate of conduct and child protection record check are required for all residents of the home.
Home visitors in a family child care agency are required to have a Level 2 certification with Family Child Care classification and at least two years experience in a family child care setting.
The government of Newfoundland and Labrador funds the Association of Early Childhood Educators of Newfoundland and Labrador (AECENL) to provide certification services and to support the orientation courses.
There is a registration fee for the orientation course, which is refunded after completion. The fee varies between $25-$75 depending on the classification of the course. Inactive course enrollment and/or non-return of course materials may result in forfeiture of all/part of the registration fee.
A Child Care Services Certification Advisory Committee meets quarterly to review and discuss policy issues related to certification with the Provincial Director, Child Care Services.
Registrar
Child Care Services Certification
Association of Early Childhood Educators of Newfoundland and Labrador
P. O. Box 8657
St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador A1B 3T1
Telephone: (709) 579-3004
Toll-free outside St. John's: 1-866-579-30004
Fax: (709) 579-0217
Email: aecenl@nfld.net
Jason Higgins, Provincial Director
Child Care Services
Department of Child, Youth and Family Services
P.O. Box 8700
28 Pippy Place
St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador A1B 4J6
Telephone: (709) 729-4055
Email: hsinclair@gov.nl.ca
Association of Early Childhood Educators Newfoundland and Labrador (AECENL) www.aecenl.ca
Government of Newfoundland and Labrador Child Care Services Division www.gov.nl.ca/cyfs/childcare/index.html
Copyright Canadian Child Care Human Resources Sector Council
Formerly funded by the Government of Canada's Sector Council Program
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