What does a Child Development Practitioner (620C) do?

Child Development Practitioners plan and organize activities for preschool and school age children. They lead children in activities to stimulate and develop their intellectual, physical, and emotional growth.

Job Related Skills, Interests and Values

  • Caring for infants and toddlers
  • Developing and implementing daily activities for children; observing their social development
  • Leading activities including reading stories; teaching songs; demonstrating use of musical instruments; preparing craft materials; and providing opportunities for creative expression through art, dramatic play, music, and physical fitness
  • Guiding children in development of proper eating, dressing, and toilet habits
  • Working in an environment that can be hectic
  • Communicating effectively with parents and other staff members
  • Continuously learning about new teaching methods and childcare theories

What Preparation and Training Do You Need?

  • Secondary school diploma with English credits; co-op an asset
  • High school students may benefit from Health and Wellness Specialist High Skills Major program
  • Completion of 6,000-hour apprenticeship, including on-the-job and in-school training; may specialize in working with children with disabilities through 3,000-hour Inclusion Practices Child Development Practitioner program

What's Your Future as a Child Development Practitioner (620C)?

  • Field is female-dominated; 30% of workers are part-time
  • Opportunities to progress to supervisory or directorial positions; may pursue further education to become elementary school teacher
  • Employers include municipal governments, day care centres and nursery schools, household service firms, private households, social service organizations, or pre-school sections of schools or hospitals; some workers are self-employed

Wage Rate

Apprentice wage increases with skill and experience. Wages for fully qualified workers range from minimum wage to $17.00 per hour.

Self-Rating

Child Development Practitioner (620C)

Ask Yourself: Yes No
Are you comfortable with infants/toddlers?
Do you have good reading, writing, analytical and problem-solving skills?
Do you enjoy planning and implementing new activities?
Are you able to follow Health & Safety guidelines?
Are you able to lift more than 30lbs? Are you able to stand or sit for long periods of time?
Are you detail-oriented and good with colours? Do you have the ability to work closely with others?
Do you have patience and good listening skills?


If you checked YES to the majority of these questions, a career as a Child Development Practitioner (620C) may be for you!

You might want to look at these similar trades as well;

  • Early Childhood Educator
  • Teacher Assistant
  • Personal Support Worker
  • Social Worker
  • Adolescent & Youth Worker
  • Nanny

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