Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Registered Early Childhood Educator (RECE)

🎯 Role Definition

The Registered Early Childhood Educator (RECE) is a licensed early years professional responsible for designing, implementing and evaluating inclusive, play-based programs that support the physical, social, emotional and cognitive development of children from infancy through preschool/early school-age. The RECE leads curriculum delivery, maintains safe and nurturing learning environments, documents child learning and assessments, partners with families and allied professionals, and ensures compliance with licensing, health and safety and agency policies. Ideal candidates demonstrate strong observation and documentation practices, exceptional communication skills with families and colleagues, and current registration/certification with the appropriate regulatory body or equivalent.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Early Childhood Assistant / Childcare Assistant with on-the-job training
ECE Diploma or Certificate graduate (co-op or practicum experience)
Child development support worker, nanny, or preschool assistant

Advancement To:

Lead RECE / Senior Early Childhood Educator
Program Supervisor / Room Supervisor
Centre Director / Childcare Manager
Early Years Consultant / Inclusion Specialist

Lateral Moves:

Infant/Toddler Specialist
Inclusion Support Worker / Special Needs Resource Educator
Family Support Worker / Parent Engagement Coordinator

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Design, plan and implement a developmentally appropriate, play-based curriculum that reflects current early learning frameworks (e.g., emergent curriculum, How Does Learning Happen?, or equivalent) and promotes social, emotional, cognitive and physical growth for each child in the room.
Conduct ongoing observation, assessment and documentation of children's interests, strengths and developmental milestones; create learning stories, portfolios and progress reports to inform individualized learning plans and to communicate outcomes to families and program leadership.
Develop and implement individualized strategies and short-term plans for children with diverse needs, collaborating with families, resource teachers, therapists and community agencies to secure supports and ensure inclusion.
Maintain and model positive guidance and behaviour management techniques that are developmentally appropriate, culturally responsive and aligned with program philosophy and regulatory standards.
Ensure the health, safety and well-being of children at all times by supervising activities, maintaining ratios, performing regular safety checks, and responding immediately to incidents or emergencies according to policy and training.
Prepare, organize and maintain a stimulating, clean and accessible learning environment with age-appropriate materials and equipment, rotating resources to support curiosity, exploration and differentiated learning.
Plan and lead group and individual activities that promote language development, early literacy, numeracy, gross and fine motor skills, creative arts and socio-emotional competence using intentional teaching strategies.
Communicate proactively and respectfully with families through daily conversations, scheduled meetings, written documentation and digital platforms to share observations, progress and collaborative strategies for home-program consistency.
Administer basic health care and medication according to documented authorizations; follow immunization and illness exclusion policies; maintain accurate health records and incident reports in compliance with licensing requirements.
Participate in intake, transitions and orientation processes for new children and families, including transition planning to other rooms, schools or community programs to support continuity of care and learning.
Lead or participate in team meetings, staff training and reflective practice sessions to support continuous program improvement, curriculum coherence and alignment with organizational goals.
Mentor, supervise and provide direction to unregulated staff, volunteers and students in placement; model professional conduct and provide feedback to support skill development and compliance with program procedures.
Collaborate with community partners—public health, speech and language, occupational therapy, family services—to coordinate supports, referrals and resources that enhance child and family outcomes.
Maintain accurate administrative records including attendance, daily logs, incident/accident reports, child portfolios, planning notes and billing data as required by the employer and regulatory bodies.
Implement and document inclusive practices and anti-bias pedagogy, ensuring all materials, interactions and learning opportunities are culturally relevant and respectful of family diversity, language, and identity.
Monitor and maintain inventory of classroom supplies, learning materials and safety equipment; submit supply requests and support budget-conscious purchasing decisions to sustain program quality.
Facilitate meal and rest routines safely and respectfully, supporting self-help and independence in feeding, toileting and sleep while following food safety and allergy protocols.
Support program evaluation and quality assurance activities by collecting data, providing input into program reviews and implementing recommended improvements to curriculum and practice.
Prepare and facilitate parent workshops, curriculum nights or home-learning resources to strengthen family engagement and support caregiver knowledge of child development and learning strategies.
Uphold professional and ethical standards, maintain current certifications (CPR/First Aid, safe food handling where required), and comply with all local licensing regulations, record-keeping and reporting obligations.
Lead transitions for older children moving to kindergarten or other programs through targeted school-readiness activities, liaison with school staff and sharing transition reports and child portfolios.

Secondary Functions

Contribute to periodic program marketing efforts by participating in open houses, creating classroom highlight materials and supporting recruitment events.
Support administrative tasks such as schedule coordination, shift coverage planning and substitute staffing in collaboration with the supervisor.
Participate in continuous professional development by researching evidence-based practices, attending workshops and sharing learnings with peers.
Assist with health and safety audits, infection prevention protocols and emergency drills; provide feedback on logical improvements to site policies.
Engage in reflective practice and peer coaching; offer suggestions to improve documentation systems, classroom layout and learning resources.
Provide input on curriculum resource purchases and help maintain an inclusive classroom library and materials inventory.
Support community outreach initiatives that broaden program visibility and strengthen family access to local supports and services.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Deep knowledge of early childhood development principles across birth to school-age and experience applying them to curriculum planning and intentional teaching.
Demonstrated ability to plan and document play-based curriculum using recognized frameworks and to produce professional learning portfolios and developmental assessments.
Current registration or licensure as a Registered Early Childhood Educator (RECE) or equivalent credential; familiarity with regulatory and licensing standards for childcare.
CPR and standard first aid certification for infants and children; current immunization and health clearance where applicable.
Experience administering medications, managing allergies and following specialized health plans and care protocols.
Competence in creating Individualized Program Plans (IPPs) and collaborating with interdisciplinary teams to implement accommodations and learning goals.
Strong documentation and record-keeping skills, including electronic child record systems, digital parent communication tools and secure data management.
Knowledge of health, safety and infection control practices, including food safety, safe sleep, diapering/toileting procedures and emergency response protocols.
Ability to design and adapt sensory-rich learning environments and to select developmentally appropriate materials and assessments.
Basic budget awareness and inventory management skills to maintain classroom supplies and resources responsibly.

Soft Skills

Excellent interpersonal and family-engagement skills: active listening, empathy, clear written and verbal communication tailored to diverse audiences.
High emotional intelligence: patience, calm under pressure, strong observational acuity to interpret children’s cues and respond with sensitive guidance.
Collaborative team-player who contributes proactively to staff teamwork, mentoring and a positive workplace culture.
Problem-solving and critical thinking: able to adapt plans quickly when children’s needs or schedules change and to prioritize multiple responsibilities.
Cultural competence and commitment to equity, anti-bias practice and inclusive pedagogy that respects family backgrounds, languages and identities.
Organizational skills, time management and the ability to balance curriculum delivery with administrative responsibilities and regulatory documentation.
Reflective practitioner mindset: openness to feedback, continuous learning and adapting practice based on evidence and reflective supervision.
Advocacy and referral skills to support families in accessing community resources and specialized developmental supports.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

Diploma or certificate in Early Childhood Education (ECE) or equivalent credential required; proof of registration/licensure where applicable (e.g., RECE or equivalent).

Preferred Education:

Advanced certificate or diploma in Early Childhood Education, Infant/Toddler specialization, or a Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Studies, Child and Youth Care, or Education.
Additional training or credentials in inclusive practice, special needs support, restorative practices, or specific therapeutic approaches (e.g., sign language basics, ABA foundations) is an asset.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Early Childhood Education
Child Development / Human Development
Early Childhood Studies
Child and Youth Care
Inclusive Education / Special Needs Support

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 0–5+ years (entry-level to experienced RECE positions; many employers accept new graduates with practicum experience for junior roles)

Preferred:

1–3+ years of direct experience in licensed childcare, preschool or early years settings for lead/room supervisor roles.
Experience working with infants/toddlers or preschool-aged groups, demonstrating competency in curriculum planning and classroom management.
Prior experience collaborating with external professionals (speech and language therapists, public health nurses, inclusion consultants) and supporting children with diverse learning needs.