What is an RECE?
(registered early childhood educator)
Whether beginning their career at a licensed child care centre or home child care, RECEs nurture children from the earliest stages of their life.
RECEs understand the value of learning through play, exploration, and collaboration. RECEs inspire and empower. They nurture confidence, curiosity and compassion in children.
“Educators are competent and capable, curious, and rich in experience. They are knowledgeable, caring, reflective, and resourceful professionals. They bring diverse social, cultural, and linguistic perspectives. They collaborate with others to create engaging environments and experiences to foster children’s learning and development. Educators are lifelong learners. They take responsibility for their own learning and make decisions about ways to integrate knowledge from theory, research, their own experience, and their understanding of the individual children and families they work with. Every educator should feel he or she belongs, is a valuable contributor, and deserves the opportunity to engage in meaningful work.”
(Ontario. Ministry of Education. (2014) How Does Learning Happen, Ontario’s Pedagogy for the Early Years, 7.)
Who Should Become an RECE?
Children deserve to be with adults who are passionate about being with them. RECEs are strong collaborators, working alongside children, families, their colleagues, and the community. Successful RECEs are kind hearted, curious, critical thinkers who view reading, writing, research and life long learning as essential to this profession. These Educators embrace the knowledge that their work impacts the lives of children today and in the future
Why is Now the Right Time to Become an RECE?
- RECEs are in high demand in London/Middlesex.
- There are recognized benefits to having a diverse RECE workforce.
- London/Middlesex has a dynamic, robust child care community with ongoing opportunities for leadership, collaboration and Professional Development.
- The field of early education is changing. These are critical years in a child’s life and there is compelling and significant research to support the importance of this profession.
How do you Become an RECE?
Becoming a Registered Early Childhood Educator requires a diploma in Early Childhood Education. Luckily, there are different ways to achieve this, and it’s never been easier to find the right path that suits your situation.
COLLEGE PROGRAMS
UNIVERSITY PROGRAMS
APPRENTICESHIPS
“The role of the educator is multidimensional. The best educators, first and foremost, use a warm, responsive, and inclusive approach, building positive relationships with children, families, colleagues, and communities. Educators participate as co-learners with families and children – learning with children, about children, and from children. Knowledgeable educators get involved in play with children to support development, challenge thinking, and extend learning. They engage in reciprocal relationships with families and caregivers, learning about, with, and from them. Educators share their professional knowledge and experience and also seek out the knowledge and perspectives of families. The value of early years educators cannot be overstated.”
(Ontario. Ministry of Education. (2014) How Does Learning Happen, Ontario’s Pedagogy for the Early Years, 19.)
hear from current RECEs
Abe
Youth Resource Support | age 39
In 2002 I was well established in my previous career but I felt the need to spend my time doing something more fulfilling. I wanted to be in service to others and make a difference in some way. Becoming a Registered Early Childhood Educator in 2004 has given me countless opportunities to do just that. I began working in Licensed Child Care and for a decade I worked with thousands of families and children of various ages, in many different settings. To this day many of them still visit me in my current role as Youth Resource Support for London Family Centers. I have even had the privilege to teach College ECE courses part-time to young men and women who are embarking on the same journey that has now come full circle for me. On a daily basis I know that I make a measurable difference in the lives of the children and families in my community. That’s a great feeling to have when you get up in the morning, and when you lay back down at night.
Ethan
School Age Program Supervisor | age 23
I am a before and after school program supervisor working with children in grade one and two. I have been working in program-based settings for almost six years. Working in program has always played a significant part in my life. I was registered in a before and after school program, as well as the summer program as an elementary school student. I loved every second of it. Instantly when I became of age my first career was assisting in the program as a summer student, which in turn led to an opportunity working with the before and after school programs. In this industry there is constantly an opportunity to not only grow and expand as an employee but to likewise grow as a person. Each day is never like the next, the children inspire you as you inspire them.
This year I worked side by side with someone who had been the Supervisor in the program I had attended as a child. This industry has come full circle for me and I hope to inspire someone in my own program as my colleague has for me.
Mary
Licensed Home Child Care Provider | age 33
Being a licensed home child care provider means that there are standards that are in place and need to be followed. My coordinator is wonderful and we connect monthly, both in person and through phone calls. I feel supported by a variety of people within the organization and it is reassuring to know that you can always connect with someone when you need to. There are lots of benefits to being with a licensed home child care program. The team is wonderful and walk you through the process, providing you with all the information and resources you need to be successful.
The training provided by my licensed home child care program and Strive is also very helpful. There are lots of new concepts and tools that you would otherwise not be aware of. They provide you with the knowledge and know how to work with the children in a more fulfilling way.
I love that I am able to be a stay at home mom and watch my children learn, grow and play with their friends. I am able to take my daughter to and from school every day, which has been a wonderful experience. The children in my care have been able to play at the school and become familiar with the school as well which I think will help with school transitions. If my child is sick, I am able to be at home with them. I have made many wonderful connections with different families that I would not have met otherwise.
