About RECEs
The training, knowledge, and competencies of early childhood educators are distinct and unique from other professions. The specialized skills of ECEs provide for collaborative opportunities with other regulated professionals.
Practice Settings
RECEs practise in a wide variety of settings:
- Advocacy
- Government
- Post-Secondary Institutions
- Full-day Kindergarten & Other Classroom Settings
- Children’s Services
- Family Support Programs
- Licensed Child Care
- Unlicensed Home Child Care
- Recreation Programs
Protected Scope of Practice
The ECE Act defines the practice of early childhood education as “the planning and delivery of inclusive play-based learning and care programs for children in order to promote the well-being and holistic development of children, and includes:
- Delivery of programs to children 12 years or younger
- Assessment of the programs and of the progress of children in them
- Communication with parents or persons with legal custody of children in programs to improve the development of the children
- such other services or activities as may be prescribed by the regulations
Only College members can practice the profession of early childhood education and use the protected titles “Early Childhood Educator” and “Registered Early Childhood Educator” along with the professional designations ECE, RECE and their French equivalents.
The purpose of a protected title is to assure the public that any person who uses it has met the education and other requirements for entry into the profession. The protected title also assures the public that any person who uses it is accountable to practise the profession of early childhood education in accordance with the ethical and professional standards set by the College.
RECEs in the Workforce
In 2021, the College conducted data analysis on its members working in Licensed Child Care, the predominant employment setting. You can review information on Registered Early Childhood Educators (RECEs) in Licensed Child Care in Ontario here.