Education · 1 of 5

The path

A two-year college diploma, then registration. You can be working in under three years.

1. 1

   High school diploma

   Grade 12

   Grade 12 English is the main requirement. Work with young kids now: camps, babysitting, a community centre.

2. 2

   Early childhood education diploma

   2 years

   A 2-year college diploma with supervised placements in real child care rooms. Offered at almost every public college in Canada.

3. 3

   Register with your province

   A few weeks

   In Ontario you join the College of Early Childhood Educators. Other provinces issue a certificate or a level through a government branch.

4. 4

   First job

   Weeks

   Centres hire fast. Many students get an offer from their placement site before they graduate.

5. 5

   Move up

   3 to 8 years

   Room lead, then supervisor or centre director. Some go on to a degree and become a teacher.