• 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

• 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

• 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

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

Child Development Practitioner (620C)

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