Information on the Classification of Early Childhood Educators and Child Care Assistants

Introduction

The Community Child Care Standards Act and Manitoba Regulation 62/86 outline comprehensive standards for early learning and child care (ELCC) for children in licensed facilities including ELCC centres, nursery schools and family child care homes, as well as child care employee training. These standards ensure children’s health and safety and recognize the need for qualified early childhood educators (ECEs) to care for young children.

Classification

Early Learning and Child Care is a regulated profession in most Canadian provinces and territories. Each province and territory has its own regulations and classification requirements. In Manitoba, classification levels are only available to residents of Canada. Applicants must be legally eligible to work in Canada. Anyone seeking paid employment or volunteer work in an early learning and child care centre must apply for classification before beginning employment. Licensed family child care providers do not require classification.

Classification levels are based on completed education. There are three levels in Manitoba:

  • Child Care Assistant (CCA)
  • Early Childhood Educator (ECE) II
  • Early Childhood Educator (ECE) III

Application Process

There are four options on the application. Select the correct option to ensure accurate assessment of your application.

  1. Child Care Assistant (CCA):
    Applicants do not need post-secondary education specific to early childhood education.
    Applicants must submit two pieces of government issued I.D.

    (Child Care facilities need to ensure that CCAs have completed a 40 hour course within their first year of employment.)

  2. Early Childhood Educator (ECE) II or III :
    Applicants require a degree or diploma specific to Early Childhood Education with a minimum of 1800 – 2000 study hours including 520 hours of fieldwork/practicum through a recognized Post-Secondary Institution for the ECE II classification. An additional credential above the diploma level with a specialization is required for the ECE III level.  Applicants must submit original transcripts with a completed application.

  3. Upgrade Classification:
    CCAs or ECE IIs may apply for higher classification if they have completed further education in early childhood education. Applicants must submit original transcripts with a completed application.

  4. Reissue Classification Certificate:
    Applicants who need a replacement certificate may request a reissue. Applicants whose name has changed must provide proof of name change with the application.

To apply for classification, follow steps A, B and C. There is no charge for this service.

A. Complete the application form

Apply online through the ELCC Program website www.manitoba.ca/childcare under the tab: “Students and the Workforce.” Select “Classification as a Child Care Worker Application” and complete the fillable form.

Before you can apply, you must register a personal user ID (userID) and password to log on. This application is not accessible with a facility user ID.

If you prefer a paper application, call Child Care Information Services at 204-945-0776 in Winnipeg or toll free 1-888-213-4754.

B. Attach the correct documentation

CCA applications – Two pieces of government issued ID.

ECE II or ECE III or upgrade applications – Enclose the following:

  • Signed declaration – Online applicants must print this page or request one from an ELCC Program office.
  • Original transcripts for all relevant education. Photocopies and personal scans are not accepted. Digital transcripts are accepted via email only if sent directly from the educational insititution. (See below for Recognized Education)
  • Certified or notarized translations for all documents not in English or French.
  • Proof of name change if any document shows a name other than your current legal name. Photocopies are accepted.

Reissues – Enclose the following:

  • Signed declaration – Online applicants must print this page or request one from our office.
  • Proof of name change.

Please note the ELCC Program cannot process incomplete applications and will return all applications that are missing information or documentation.

Acceptable proof of name change includes:

  • Marriage certificate or registration
  • Divorce certificate
  • Legal name change certificate
  • Birth certificate plus current identification, such as a driver’s licence

C. Send your application and any required documentation

Online: www.manitoba.ca/childcare

Email: cdccertificate@gov.mb.ca

Fax:
Attention: Qualifications Services
204-948-2625

Mail:
Early Learning and Child Care Program
Attention: Qualifications Services
210 - 114 Garry Street
Winnipeg, Manitoba
R3C 4V4

In person:
1st floor reception, 114 Garry Street, Winnipeg, Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
We can photocopy and verify your original documents while you wait.

You will receive your CCA certificate via email. ECE Certificates are sent via mail.

Child care employees are responsible for advising their employers of their classification level. Provide your employer with a photocopy and retain your original documents.

Applicants who wish to meet with a qualifications specialist must make an appointment by emailing cdcinfo@gov.mb.ca or by calling Child Care Information Services at 204-945-0776 or toll free 1-888-213-4754.

 

Recognized Education

The Child Care Qualifications and Training Committee (CCQTC) reviews and approves training programs for ELCC employees. It also monitors the quality and standards of early childhood education in Manitoba.

Early Childhood Educator (ECE) II classification requires:

Successful completion of one of the following two-year diploma programs approved by CCQTC:

  • Diploma in Early Childhood Education Assiniboine Community College
  • Diploma in Early Childhood Education University College of the North
  • Diploma in Early Childhood Education Red River College
  • Éducation de la jeune enfance (Diplôme) Université de Saint-Boniface.
  • Diploma in Indigenous Focused Early Childhood Educator Program, Louis Riel Vocational College
  • Diploma in Early Childhood Education for International Students, Manitoba Institute for Trades and Technology
  • Diploma in Early Childhood Education Robertson College

Please note that a variety of delivery models may be available including the Workplace Program, Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), or Continuing and Distance Education (online). Contact each college or university for specific information.

OR

  • Successful completion of an Assessment program offered by the ELCC Program.

Early Childhood Educator (ECE) III classification requires:

A current ECE II classification and the successful completion of one of the following specialization areas from a program recognized by CCQTC:

  • Infant/Toddler Specialist
  • Caring for Children of Aboriginal Background
  • Special Needs Specialist
  • Early Childhood Management/Administration

 Available programs recognized by CCQTC:

  • Advanced Diploma in Leadership in Early Childhood Care and Education Professional, Applied and Continuing Education, University of Winnipeg
  • The Child Care Centre Administration Certificate Program, Assiniboine Community College
  • Early Learning and Child Care Certificate in Administration, University College of the North
  • Diplôme avancé en éducation de la jeune enfance Université de Saint-Boniface.
  • Bachelor of Arts, Major in Developmental Studies: Stream C – Child Development and Child Care University of Winnipeg

Applicants will be issued a Child Care Assistant classification if their education does not have a minimum of 1800-2000 hours of study with 520 hours of fieldwork/practicum, or is not specific to Early Childhood Education (such as a one year ECE certificate, Bachelor of Education, Bachelor of Human Ecology, Diploma in Child and Youth Care, Montessori diploma).

The ELCC system in Manitoba is separate from the education system. If you are a teacher looking for certification to teach in a school, please contact Manitoba Education.

Equivalency Assessment for Out of Province Education

If you have lived, been employed in and have certification as an early childhood educator in Alberta, Saskatchewan, Ontario, Newfoundland/Labrador, British Columbia, Yukon, Nova Scotia or Prince Edward Island, you may apply for classification in Manitoba under the Canadian Agreement on Free Trade (CFTA). This only applies to new applicants that have not previously been classified in Manitoba. Please contact Child Care Information Services at 204-945-0776 or toll-free at 1-888-213-4754 for an application under CFTA.


If you do not have provincial certification, and you are applying with completed early childhood education from outside Manitoba, the ELCC Program may conduct an educational equivalency assessment in consultation with  a provincial community college or university to determine whether your education has all the required competency areas as well as 1800 – 2000 study hours with 520 hours of fieldwork/practicum. Please allow at least six weeks for assessment.

Equivalency Assessment for Out of Country Education

If you completed early childhood specific education outside Canada, the ELCC Program may request an educational equivalency assessment in consultation with other provincial government departments or a provincial college or university to determine whether your education meets the required competency areas and number of hours of study and fieldwork/practicum. Please allow at least six weeks for assessment.

You may also be required to submit a credential assessment report. For more information on internationally educated applicants, see our website: http://www.gov.mb.ca/fs/childcare/students_workforce/ieq/index.html

Appealing Your Classification

First, make an appointment with a Qualifications Specialist to discuss your file by contacting Child Care Information Services at 204-945-0776 or toll-free at 1-888-213-4754. If you feel your assessment was not processed according to the regulations and you wish to appeal your classification level, you must do so within 30 days of receiving your classification by submitting written notification to:

Social Services Appeal Board
7th floor – 175 Hargrave Street
Winnipeg, MB R3C 3R8
PH: (204)945-3003 Fax: 945-1736
Email: ssab@gov.mb.ca

The Community Child Care Standards Actauthorizes this committee to hear all differences of opinion related to ELCC classification and determine whether proper procedures were carried out in the classification process.

Educational Institution Contacts

For more information about post-secondary education options for early childhood education or for an independent credit transfer assessment, please contact:

Assiniboine Community College (ACC)

1430 Victoria Avenue East Brandon, MB R7A 1B6
Phone: 204-725-8700, ext. 6882
Toll free: 1-800-862-6307, ext. 6882
https://assiniboine.net/

ECE - Distance
Phone: 204-725-8700, ext. 6882
Registrations Phone: 204-725-8700 ext 4032

Université de Saint-Boniface (USB)

200, av. de la Cathédrale
Winnipeg (Manitoba)
R2H 0H7
Sans frais 1-888-233-5112
www.ustboniface.ca

Programme régulier (diplôme)

Téléphone: 204-233-0210, poste 736

Programme accéléré (diplôme)

Téléphone: 204-233-0210, poste 735

Diplôme avancé en éducation de la jeune enfance

Téléphone: 204-233-0210, poste 739

Red River College (RRC)

Early Childhood Education Program
A109 – 2055 Notre Dame Avenue
Winnipeg, MB
R3H 0J9

Admissions office:
Phone 204-632-2328 Toll free: 1-800-903-7707

Full Time Program Co-ordinator
Phone: 204-632-2554
www.rrc.mb.ca

ECE – Prior Learning Assessment
Phone: 204-632-2353
www.rrc.mb.ca/prior/

Workplace Program Co-ordinator
Phone: 204-632-3070

School of Continuing Education
Phone: 204-694-1789
Toll free: 1-866-242-7073

University College of the North (UCN)

P.O. Box 3000 436 – 7th Street
The Pas, MB
R9A 1M7
Phone toll free: 1-866-627-8500
 www.ucn.ca

Thompson Campus
504 Princeton  Drive
Thompson, MB
R8N  0A5
Phone toll free: 1-866-677-6450

ECE Program Co-ordinator
Phone: 204-677-6673

University of Winnipeg (UW)

515 Portage Avenue
Winnipeg, MB
R3B 2E9

Developmental Studies Program (Faculty of Arts)
Phone: 204-786-9491
http://developmentalstudies.uwinnipeg.ca/

Advanced Diploma in Leadership in Early Childhood Care and Education
(Division of Professional, Applied and Continuing Education)
Phone: 204-982-1143
http://pace.uwinnipegcourses.ca/

Louis Riel Vocational College (LRVC)

150 Henry Ave,
Winnipeg, MB
 R3B 0J7
204-984-9480
http://lrvc.ca/

Manitoba Institute of Trades and Technology (MITT)

130 Henlow Bay
Winnipeg, MB
 R3Y 1G4
204-989-6500
http://mitt.ca/
info@mitt.ca


Robertson College

 180 Main Street
Winnipeg, MB
R3C 1A6
Phone: 1-204-943-5661
Toll Free: 1-877-880-8789
https://www.robertsoncollege.com/programs/early-childhood-educator/


Qualifications of Child Care Centre Staff

The Community Child Care Standards Act and Manitoba Regulation 62/86 outline the proportion of trained ECE IIs and ECE IIIs required in licensed ELCC centres and nursery schools.

Infant and Preschool Age Child Care Centres

At least two thirds of the staff are required to be classified at the ECE II or III level. Directors must be classified at the ECE III level at the time of licensing.

School Age Child Care Centres

At least half of the staff are required to be classified at the ECE II or III level. Directors must be classified at the ECE II or III level at the time of licensing.

Nursery Schools

Operating four or more part days per week: At least half of the staff are required to be classified as ECE II or ECE III. Directors must be classified at the ECE II   or III level at the time of licensing.

Operating three or fewer part days per week: One staff person for every 30 licensed spaces is required to be an ECE II or III. This person is not required to be the director of the nursery school.

Visit Careers in Child Care for more information about working in Early Childhood Education in Manitoba.

Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy

Your personal information for an application for classification is collected under the authority of The Community Child Care Standards Act and will be used to establish your classification as Child Care Assistant (CCA), Early Childhood Educator II (ECE II) or Early Childhood Educator III (ECE III). It is protected under The Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA). For more information about FIPPA please contact:

Information and Privacy Policy Secretariat

130 – 200 Vaughan Street
Winnipeg, MB
R3C 1T5
Phone: 204-945-1252 in Winnipeg
Toll free: 1-800-617-3588

Email: fippa@gov.mb.ca
www.manitoba.ca/chc/fippa/contact.html

 

For more information contact:

Child Care Information Services

114 Garry Street Winnipeg, MB R3C 4V6
Phone: 204-945-0776 in Winnipeg Toll free: 1-888-213-4754
Email: cdcinfo@gov.mb.ca

Early Learning and Child Care Program 210-114 Garry Street, Winnipeg MB R3C 4V4

Email: cdcinfo@gov.mb.ca

Phone: 204-945-0776 Toll-free: 1-888-213-4754 Fax: 204-948-2625 TTY: 204-945-3724

Hours: Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m