Contact Us
Calendar
Log in
Main Logo

Resources

Initial Certification

 

Under the Newfoundland and Labrador Child Care Services Regulations, 39/17 2017 and Child Care Services Act individuals seeking employment in regulated child care are required to hold valid Child Care Services Certification.
The initial certification can be achieved if you hold post-secondary education (college/university) in Early Childhood Education, or if you hold certification from another Canadian province or territory, please visit Labour Mobility page.

 

There are 5 Levels in child care service certification:

Trainee Level Certification – without recognized post-secondary credentials in early childhood education (ECE). The applicant may need to complete an orientation course(s) or equivalent and submit an acceptance letter into an ECE program from a provincially recognized post-secondary institution to receive trainee level certification.
Level One – a provincially approved certificate (normally 1-year full-time studies) in ECE.
Level Two – a provincially approved diploma (normally 2 years of full-time studies) in ECE.
Level Three – a provincially approved diploma (normally 3 years of full-time studies) in ECE
                or  – a provincially approved diploma (normally 2 years of full-time studies) in ECE and completed 1-                                year post-diploma ECE specialization
                or  – a provincially approved certificate (normally 1-year full-time studies) in ECE and a provincially                                   recognized university degree
Level Four    – a university degree in early childhood education
               or    – a provincially approved certificate (normally 2 years of full-time studies) in ECE and   a                                              provincially recognized university degree
 
There are 5 Classifications which are based on facility type and age of children
Child Care Centre:
  • Infant Classification – covers children ages birth to 24 months in a regulated child care centre. Note: There is no Trainee Level for Infant classification - all applicants must hold at least a provincially-approved certificate in Early Childhood Education. 
  • Preschool Classification – covers children ages 2 to school-entry (who are not attending school full-time) in a regulated child care centre.
  • School Classification – covers children ages from school entry (who attend school) to 13 in a regulated child care centre.
  • Pre-Kindergarten Classification – covers children ages 3 years and 8 months up to 5 years and 9 months in a centre-based pre-kindergarten program setting.

 Family Home:

  • Mixed Age Classification – covers children ages birth to 12 years in a regulated family child care setting.
  • Infant Classification - To provide infant care the individual needs to obtain Level 1 certification and complete an infant care course from a recognized post-secondary institution or AECENL’s infant orientation course.
 
The following is an education pathway to achieve certain level and classification for NL Child Care Services Certification:

Pathways.png

 
Check the Initial Child Care Services Certification guide on how to apply and required documentation.
If you have any questions regarding the process of reissuing your child care services certification, please contact the Registrar at: registrar@aecenl.ca  or by phone: (709)579-3004

 

How to apply for the initial certification:

  • DOWNLOAD and PRINT the Initial Application Form
  • READ the information in the guide and on the Initial Application Form
  • COMPLETE all sections of the Initial Application Form by PRINTING clearly
  • ATTACH the applicable documentation to the Initial Application Form
  • DATE and SIGN the Initial Application Form. 
  • SUBMIT the completed and signed Initial Application Form with supporting documents by:

Emailed: registrar@aecenl.ca

 When emailing your initial application package:
  • Only the most current Initial Application Form is accepted for email submission.
  • Only eligible PDF scanned documentation will be accepted. Photos (e.g., .jpg) are not                acceptable as they are unable to produce legible copies.
  • Only one email with all attachments should be submitted
  • Put your name (first and last) and Initial Application in the subject line of the e-mail before        sending.
  • Retain a copy of the original e-mail for your record, if it is requested to be resubmitted.
  • When you receive a message from the registrar@aecenl.ca account, this is confirmation that your application has been received by AECENL.
 Faxed:            709-579-0217 (toll free: (877) 579-0217)
                         If submitting via fax only the most current initial application is accepted.
Mailed:             Association for Early Childhood Educators Newfoundland and Labrador
                         P.O. Box 8657
                         St. John’s, NL A1B 3T1
Dropped off:   Association for Early Childhood Educators Newfoundland and Labrador
                         59 Pippy Place, Suite 2A
                         St. John’s, NL A1B 4N1