Do you want to work in the regulated child care sector in Newfoundland and Labrador?

Are you a trained Early Childhood Educator who would like professional recognition of your post-secondary credentials?

If you answered "Yes" to either of these questions then you need to learn more about Child Care Services Certification in Newfoundland and Labrador! 

Certification is the process that allows for the assessment of the level of training of Child Care Providers in the licensed/regulated child care system, and/or those with a background in Early Childhood Learning and Care.

The process of certification results in level/s (that is, how much post-secondary child care education you hold) and classification/s (that is, the age groups or settings for which you are certified) being assigned to an individual based on their educational background. An information booklet is available for download in the sidebar which will give you further information about the process of certification.

You will also find application forms in the sidebar for download. The initial application form is to be used if you have not applied for or received a certification assessment. The renewal/reissue application is for use by those who already hold a certification number - this application is used to apply for renewal of your certification or for a change in your current certification or classification.

The Association of Early Childhood Educators Newfoundland – Labrador (AECENL) is funded by the Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Government through the National Child Benefit Reinvestment Program to provide the Child Care Services Certification service and to support the orientation courses that may be necessary for a person to achieve certification in a particular classification. Certification is an important first step in obtaining recognition for the valuable work that encompasses the child care sector.

It also provides a professional career path that recognizes and encourages further professional training and development, which ultimately improves the quality of care for children in our province.

Certification also demonstrates to our communities and to our society as a whole that child care providers are a trained, professional group of people who possess the skills, training and ability required to provide care and education to the most vulnerable segment of our society - our children.

Are you Certified/Registered to Work in the Child Care Sector in Another Province/Territory ... or ... are you thinking about moving to another Province/Territory?

If you hold current/valid certification/registration in another Province or Territory you can apply for NL Child Care Services Certification under the Federal Government Agreement on Internal Trade (AIT). Simply complete the Initial Application Form and check off "Agreement on Internal Trade" option on page 2. Attach a copy of your certificate to the application form and you will be given the equivalent Level of Certification here in NL (note: equivalent level may not be the same level - different provinces and territories have different names on their levels - you will be given the level in NL that reflects the same qualifications as the level given in the other province or territory).

If you want to see what the certification (or credentialling) looks like in any of the Provinces or Territories or if you want to compare systems side-by-side the Child Care Human Resources Sector Council has developed an Online Guide to ECEC Credentialling - click to go to the guide.

Immigrants to Canada

AECENL will require officially translated transcripts and post-secondary certificates / diplomas / degrees to be submitted with an Initial Application for Certification in order to assess your certification status to work in regulated child care services in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador. You might find the Foreign Credentials Referral Office of the Government of Canada (Bureau d'orientation relatif aux titres de competences etrangers ) helpful. Click here for Newfoundland and Labrador information on this site (ici pour le francais ).

General Certification FAQs 

Do I have to be a member of AECENL to become certified? No, certification is separate from membership - in order to be a member of AECENL there is an annual membership fee. To check out the benefits of an AECENL membership go to the "Membership" tab at the top of this screen!

I am certified - does this mean I'm an AECENL member? No, certification is separate from membership - in order to be a member of AECENL there is an annual membership fee. To check out the benefits of an AECENL membership go to the "Membership" tab at the top of this screen!