ECE Career Fair: An Investment in Huron & Perth’s Future

April 28, 2014

Huron County, ON – A Career Fair is being held May 14, 2014 at the REACH Huron Centre in Clinton to attract and retain qualified Early Childhood Educators (ECEs) in both Huron and Perth counties.

The Children’s Services of Huron and Perth have collaborated with Fanshawe College, Contact North, local school boards, and The Centres for Employment and Learning of Avon Maitland District School Board for this event, since both counties are in current need of additional educators.

The ECE Career Fair will provide participants an opportunity to meet with multiple potential employers, explore various methods of completing an ECE diploma (i.e. full time, part time, online, fast track or apprenticeship courses), get business advice regarding the setup of a licensed home childcare business and get information about professional membership and regulations.

There are many opportunities currently available for registered Early Childhood Educators throughout Huron and Perth counties; in licensed childcare centres, in full day kindergarten classrooms as a partner of a teaching team, in Ontario Early Years Centres, in before and after school programs and in Best Start Child and Family Centres.

These educators are responsible for providing responsive, reflective, and nurturing programs that promote all areas of children’s development including creativity, social engagement, literacy and problem solving skills. They are required to belong to the college of Early Childhood Educators which regulates the profession, ensuring that professional standards of practice are followed. Early childhood education training is also offered to individuals who provide Home Child Care, ensuring that children receive quality supervision and stimulation within an intimate comfortable home setting.

Retaining qualified Early Childhood Educators and licensed Home Child Care Providers is important to the current and future economy of Huron and Perth Counties. Quality early childhood education programs provide reliable, secure care for children, allowing parents to be in the workforce, with minimal absenteeism, and maximum productivity. But the World Bank in 2010 concluded that an investment in early development can reap tangible economic benefits because children who attend early learning programs are more likely to achieve academic levels beyond high school, and participate less in criminal activity or other negative behaviours in adulthood.

According to the Ontario Early Years Policy Framework, early childhood sets the foundation for lifelong learning, behaviour, health, and well-being. What children experience in their first 5 years has a significant impact on their brain architecture, their later capacity to learn, and the quality of their relationships throughout life. U.S. economist and Nobel Prize winner James Heckman calculates that $1 invested in early childhood is equivalent to $3 spent on school-aged children and $8 on young adults.

Therefore, the ECE Career Fair is an important step in supporting the children, families and economy of Huron and Perth Counties. Everyone interested in pursuing a high energy fulfilling career with children is encouraged to come out to the ECE Career Fair. Qualified educators are suggested to bring their resume. Attendees will find this an excellent venue to begin planning their personal route towards an ECE education and/or career.

Event Details

Date: May 14, 2014
Location: REACH Huron Centre, 169 Beech St., Clinton.
Time: 2-4 PM and 5:30 – 7:30 PM (Informative presentations at 2:00 and 5:30 PM)

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TO LEARN MORE…
Our media contact is: Paula Brunkard, ECE Career Fair Coordinator at 226.421.2120 or email: pbrunkard@gmail.com

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For more information contact:

Susan Cronin, County Clerk
519.524.8394 (ext 3257)
scronin@huroncounty.ca