Childhood Development Practitioner CDP

Holland Code: S (Social)

Applicants who do not have an employer may wish to pursue the post-secondary schooling option and take the Early Childhood Educator program which has multiple delivery formats: through continuing education, Weekend College (ECE7); Fast Track (ECE6); at our Simcoe campus (ECE5J); at our London campus (ECE1).

What academic skills do I need to be successful in the program?

Apprenticeship programs are run at Fanshawe College in partnership with the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities. You can not apply to an apprenticeship program through the Ontario Colleges Application Service. Your first step is finding an employer who will support you in your apprenticeship training. The employer must register you as an apprentice with the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities. For more information on the process, please see please see the Fanshawe Apprenticeship website. You may also find the course information website useful.

Arts & Literacy High school courses in Raising Health Children, Working with Infants and Young Children, Challenge and Change in Society, Families in Canada, and/or Human Development throughout the Lifespan would be beneficial preparation for this program.

What personal qualities should someone interested in this career have?

• Strong ethical standards
• Ability to be empathetic
• Ability to be open to and examine self-development and growth
• Ability to accept and apply constructive feedback
• Able to make decisions and problem solve
• Strong desire to obtain ongoing education
• Enjoy working and collaborating in a team
• Strong interpersonal skills needed (listening, instructing, facilitating, explaining)
• Ability to use clear communication, consistent, positive child guidance strategies
• Ability to communicate effectively and work closely with children, parents and colleagues
• Ability to solve problems with children and families
• Strong organizational skills
• Able to take initiative, be flexible and multi-task
• Ability to work in a diverse human environment

Useful background experience for this program would be 

Experience with service clubs related to early childhood; summer camps, youth groups; or volunteering with young children/ early learning setting.

What kind of work could I do when I graduate?

Graduates of this program may go on to become an 

Early Childhood Educator.

Places you may find yourself employed include

Child care centres, public schools, children’s museums, Ontario Early Years Centres, family centres, or school boards.

Typical working conditions for this kind of work:

• To keep up with children in their care, early childhood educators must be able to move quickly. They also spend most of the day walking, bending, kneeling and sitting on the floor and routinely lift babies and children weighing up to 20 kilograms.
• Required to work early morning hours as well as shift work
• Work in indoor and outdoor environments

Tasks a graduate may do in the workplace

• Develop and implement programs designed to meet children's social, physical, intellectual, creative, cultural, emotional and developmental needs and interests in a play-based environment.
• Build children's social and interpersonal skills and positive self-concept by establishing routines and positive guidance policies that allow children to feel secure, comfortable and safe.
• Establish and maintain good communication with children's families and community agencies involved in children's development.
• Personal health care (changing diapers, helping toddlers with toileting, hand washing).
• Cleaning and maintenance of the learning environment.

Helpful links for further research into this Fanshawe College program and career opportunity

Links to learn more about apprenticeship in general

• www.apprenticesearch.com
• The Apprenticeship Network
• Apprenticetrades.ca
• Ontario College of Trades
• Employer apprenticeship incentives

Links to learn more about this career

• Certified (AECEO)
• Graduates must register to the  College of Early Childhood Educators  (CECE) before working in the field.
• Canadian Child Care Federation video
• Fanshawe’s library has prepared a subject guide for current students in this program. You may find the links and information provided very useful in learning more about this career.

Last Modified: January 11, 2024