A career as an Early Childhood Educator (ECE) provides full-time employment with great working hours, the opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to the lives of children, and the sense of accomplishment that comes from making a difference in your community.

There is increasing awareness of the importance of quality early years education for creating lasting positive outcomes for children.

This increase is resulting in A LOT of demand for ECEs.

In fact, 95% of NSCECE graduates are employed within three months, and most students have letters of hire well before they graduate.

You may be wondering if this career path is right for you. Here are common questions we get and the answers to help you make a decision.

What does an Early Childhood Educator do?

The many meaningful connections that ECEs make with children shape the people they become and how they’ll affect everyone around them.

We create this positive impact as ECEs in three major ways: 

• Supporting children in their relationship-building with each other to develop the foundation for positive peer relations and connections as they grow.
• Creating opportunities for children’s strengths to shine to foster positive self-regard and help them feel a sense of power and accomplishment. 
• Valuing children’s curiosity and capability to build confidence, independence and trust in themselves and others. 

In doing this work, we are guaranteeing a brighter future for both the children we work with and their communities. 

And this education includes learning about child psychology and development—NSCECE is 100% invested in Early Years study and practice and has a fantastic faculty of authors, international speakers, and consultants, who are experts in our field. 

This expertise means we’re the first to recognize any new developments in Early Childhood Education and ensure our programs are always up to date.

Unlike other ECE programs, we coordinate all aspects of your placement to make sure your experiences build a solid practical foundation for your ECE practice.

What can I do with an Early Childhood Education Diploma, Certificate, or Classification?

• Earn more than minimum wage
• Courses can count as credit toward advanced studies in Early Childhood Education

What can I expect from the lifestyle?

• Work normal business hours
• Typically have holidays off
• Find steady work (not seasonal)
• Full-time employment
• Work with supportive, nurturing individuals

What career options are available?

• Early Childhood Educator
• Childcare Director
• Childcare Worker
• Program Director
• Centre Manager
• ECE Assistant in Primary Classrooms
• Government

How much do Early Childhood Educators make in Nova Scotia?

$19.10 / hour is the salary floor for Level 1 Classification ECE in a licensed childcare facility. Individuals with a Level 2 Certification typically earn $20.81/hour and individuals with a Level 3 Certification earn $21.67​/hour. Note: Salary floors will be updated on April 1, 2023.

Can I still work while I study?

This depends on the program you enroll in. For example, an 8-month ECA Program allows childcare practitioners currently working in the field a streamlined option to attain an ECA Certificate and Level I Classification from the NS Classification office.

How long does it take to complete an ECE program?

It takes approximately 20 weeks to 16 months to complete an ECE program, depending on which program you pursue.