Certification Council of Early Childhood Educators of NS
~ committed to the development of a high quality, professional, certified body of early childhood educators.
Questions & Answers about
Early Childhood Educator (ECE) Certification &
Early Childhood Centre Administrator (ECCA) Certification
What Early Childhood Practitioners say about Certification.
Why Should I become certified?
How does the Early Childhood Educator Certification process work?
Am I eligible for certification as an Early Childhood Educator?
How does the Early Childhood Centre Administrator process work?
Am I eligible for Early Childhood Centre Administrator Certification?
What is the Certification Council of Early Childhood Educators of Nova Scotia?
What Early Childhood Practitioners say about Certification~
"I believe fully in certification.
It is the single most important thing that has happened to the ECE field
in Nova Scotia in a long time."
"I look at myself as a true professional in the field."
"{I got} support from people who really believed and valued things in
connection to child care."
"I became a better teacher in my classroom.
I felt I had more to offer the daycare I worked in."
Why should I become certified?
On a personal level, certification is a path to greater professional
development. Certification is a recognition that you have successfully
integrated and applied the body of knowledge you acquired through your
training. Becoming certified acknowledges that you are living up to your
own standards and ideals and that your peers have recognized the quality
of your work.
On a broader level, certification will provide a high standard for
early childhood professionals and will improve the quality of care for
children in Nova Scotia. It will assure parents that individuals who
have been certified have reached a standard of excellence and will
demonstrate that early childhood practitioners are credible professionals.
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Early Childhood Educator (ECE) Certification
How does the ECE Certification Process Work?
Early Childhood Educator (ECE) certification is an examination of your
practice that takes at least nine months. Each candidate works as part
of a group of three candidates, called a Triplet. The Triplet is
supported and assisted by a facilitator, a validator and the executive of the
Certification Council.
Each member of the Triplet:
Evaluates her/his own strengths and weaknesses on
15 standardized criteria
Observes, shares with and evaluates the other Triplet members
Produces three written evaluation reports -- a self-evaluation and
an evaluation for each of the other
two Triplet members
Is coached by a Mentor
Is observed and assessed by a Validator
Is assessed by the Executive of the Certification.
The Facilitator:
Supports, mentors and monitors the triplet throughout
the certification process
The Validator:
Reviews the reports and paperwork submitted by the
Triplet and the Facilitator
Validates their observations
Makes a report and recommendation to the Certification Council
Certification Council:
Reviews all the information and determines the
certification status of each applicant
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Am I eligible for certification as an Early Childhood Educator?
You are eligible for ECE certification if you:
- Work directly with children for a regular amount of time per week at
least nine months of the year
or
- Work directly with children as a substitute at least three days a
week for at least nine months of the year
AND
- Have at least two years experience working directly with children
AND
-
Are a graduate of any recognized Early Childhood Education program as offered
in the province of Nova Scotia or that meets the standards as set down
by Early Childhood Development Services of the Department of Community
Services.
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Early Childhood Centre Administrator Certification (ECCA)
How does the ECCA certification process work?
Early Childhood Centre
Administrator Certification is a four-step process. You will be assigned a
facilitator who will act as your mentor throughout the process.
Step 1: Application
Applying for acceptance as a certification candidate involves:
- Training in the ECCA certification process
- Compilation of a professional portfolio that describes the
experiences and professional development activities that have
affected your work as an early childhood centre administrator.
- Submission of the portfolio to the Certification Council for review and
decision on your acceptance as a candidate.
Step 2: Examination
Phase A: Case Study Response
Phase A includes:
Training in developing and presenting five assigned case studies on
management responsibilities. The case studies relate to staff, families,
licensed operator (owners and boards), facility and community.
Training in how to effectively present your case study responses and
how to evaluate your own presentations and those of your peers.
Self-evaluation of your presentations and evaluation by five of your
peers and a validator.
On-going communication with your facilitator through journal entries
regarding your responsibilities as an early childhood centre administrator.
Phase B: Written Case Study:
Phase B includes:
Training in writing and presenting five case studies of management
responsibilities related to staff, families, licensed operator
(owners and boards), facility and community.
Training in the application of ethics.
Self-evaluation of your presentations and evaluation by five of your
peers and a validator.
Organizing a practice binder that includes copies of your centre forms,
policies, procedures, philosophy and a record of the legal sanctions that
affect your work.
Step 3: Validation
Assessment of the organizational climate of your centre through the
completion of a Work Environment Study by each member of your staff
Assessment of the customer service aspect of your work through the
completion of a Client Satisfaction Survey by at least sixty percent of
your parents
Site visit by a Validator who will conduct an Early Childhood Environment
Rating Scale (ECERS) on at least 50% of your classrooms to assess your
effectiveness in leading your staff in their program delivery.
You will receive a written report of the results of each of these assessments
and have an opportunity to discuss them with the validator.
Step 4: Recommendation
All reports and recommendations are forwarded to the
Certification Council.
Candidate Review Committee, made up of validators, facilitators,
and the Certification Council executive, considers all the information and
makes a decision regarding your certification status.
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Am I eligible for ECCA certification?
You can apply to be a candidate for early childhood centre administrator
certification if your primary role in your early childhood centre is as an
administrator or director.
What is the Certification Council of Early Childhood Educators of Nova Scotia?
The Certification Council of Early Childhood Educators of Nova Scotia
(CCECENS) is a
non-profit, volunteer organization. We are committed to the development of
high-quality, professional, certified Early Childhood Practitioners.
If your are interested in certification as an Early Childhood Educator
or an
Early Childhood Centre Administrator write to:
CCECENS
c/o 100-1200 Tower Rd.,
Halifax, NS
B3H 4K6
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