College of Early Childhood Educators

The College of Early Childhood Educators is responsible to regulating and governing Ontario's  Registered Early Childhood Educators (RECEs) in regards to the publics interest (College of Early Childhood Educators, 2023). It is the only self-regulating body of early childhood education in Canada. 

The College regulates the profession of early childhood education by establishing and enforcing:

• Registration requirements;

• Ethical and professional standards for RECEs;

• Requirements for continuous professional learning; and

• Complaints and discipline process for professional misconduct, incompetence and incapacity.

THE CODE OF ETHICS AND STANDARDS OF PRACTICE 

The Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice sets out the professional knowledge, skills, values and expectations applicable to all registered early childhood educators (RECEs) regardless of role and the setting in which they may practise. It also communicates to RECEs and the public the scope and nature of the profession. As regulated professionals, RECEs are expected to act with integrity and adhere to the Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice at all times within their workplace and the community.

Code of Ethics

The Code of Ethics sets out the ethical values that guide the professional practice of RECEs. The ethics are:

1. Responsibilities to Children

2. Responsibilities to Families

3. Responsibilities to Colleagues and to the Profession

4. Responsibilities to the Community and to the Public

Standards of Practice

The Standards of Practice outline the expectations regarding knowledge, skills and actions in six key areas. The standards are:

Standard I:  Caring and Responsive Relationships
Standard II:  Curriculum and Pedagogy
Standard III:  Safety, Health and Well-Being in the Learning Environment
Standard IV:  Professionalism and Leadership
Standard V:  Professional Boundaries, Dual Relationships and Conflicts of Interest
Standard VI:  Confidentiality, Release of Information and Duty to Report

(College of Early Childhood Educators, 2023).