Main duties
People in this unit group perform some or all of the following duties.
Early childhood educators
- Develop and implement child-care programs that support and promote the physical, cognitive, emotional and social development of children
- Lead activities by telling or reading stories, teaching songs, taking children to local points of interest and providing opportunities to express creativity through the media of art, dramatic play, music and physical activity
- Plan and maintain an environment that protects the health, security and well-being of children
- Assess the abilities, interests and needs of children and discuss progress or problems with parents and other staff members
- Observe children for signs of potential learning or behavioural problems and prepare reports for parents, guardians or supervisor
- Guide and assist children in the development of proper eating, dressing and toilet habits
- Establish and maintain collaborative relationships with co-workers and community service providers working with children
- May plan and organize activities for school-age children in child-care programs before and after regular school hours
- May supervise and coordinate activities of other early childhood educators and early childhood educator assistants
Early childhood educator assistants
- Support early childhood educators in carrying out programs that promote the physical, cognitive, emotional and social development of children
- Engage children in activities by telling stories, teaching songs and preparing crafts
- Prepare snacks and arrange rooms or furniture for lunch and rest periods
- Assist with proper eating, dressing and toilet habits
- Submit written observations on children to early childhood educators or supervisors
- Maintain daycare equipment and assist in housekeeping and cooking duties
- Attend staff meetings to discuss progress and problems of children
- May assist early childhood educators or supervisors in keeping records
Employment requirements
Early childhood educators
- Completion of a two- to four-year college program in early childhood education or A bachelor's degree in child development is required
- Licensing is required in Ontario and certification is required in British Columbia for early childhood educators. Licensing for early childhood educators is usually required in all other provinces and territories
Early childhood educator assistants
- Completion of secondary school is required
- Experience in child care is required
- Completion of an early childhood education assistant certificate program or post-secondary courses in early childhood education may be required
- Licensing by a provincial or territorial association as an early childhood educator may be required
Job titles in NOC 42202
33 job titles are classified in this unit group.
- baby-care worker
- baby-care worker assistant
- baby-care workers supervisor
- child care worker - daycare
- child care worker assistant
- daycare aide
- daycare attendant
- daycare coordinator
- daycare helper
- daycare supervisor
- daycare teacher
- daycare worker
- daycare worker assistant
- early childhood assistant
- early childhood education worker
- early childhood educator (ECE)
- early childhood educator (ECE) assistant
- early childhood educator - junior kindergarten
- early childhood educator - kindergarten
- early childhood educator - preschool
- early childhood educator assistant - junior kindergarten
- early childhood educator assistant - kindergarten
- early childhood program staff assistant
- early childhood program supervisor
- early childhood supervisor
- educator assistant - junior kindergarten
- infant daycare workers supervisor
- infants' daycare worker
- nursery school aide
- nursery school helper
Show all 33 job titles
- nursery school teacher
- preschool helper
- preschool supervisor
Wages for NOC 42202 by province
Hourly wages from Job Bank for early childhood educators and assistants.
| Province or territory | Low | Median | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ontario | $17.60 | $22.00 | $31.00 |
| British Columbia | $19.00 | $24.00 | $30.00 |
| Alberta | $15.60 | $19.00 | $28.85 |
| Saskatchewan | $15.35 | $18.75 | $26.92 |
| Manitoba | $16.00 | $18.00 | $25.90 |
| Quebec | $18.00 | $24.00 | $30.03 |
| New Brunswick | $16.90 | $23.47 | $25.60 |
| Nova Scotia | $16.50 | $21.49 | $28.21 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | $16.00 | $20.00 | $27.33 |
| Canada | $16.95 | $22.30 | $30.03 |
Ontario by region
| Region | Low | Median | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ottawa | $17.60 | $23.08 | $29.59 |
| Kingston–Pembroke | $18.50 | $23.00 | $30.58 |
| Muskoka–Kawarthas | $18.50 | $20.71 | $23.00 |
| Toronto | $17.60 | $22.00 | $32.97 |
| Kitchener–Waterloo–Barrie | $17.60 | $20.00 | $30.00 |
| Hamilton–Niagara Peninsula | $18.00 | $23.00 | $32.00 |
| London | $17.60 | $22.00 | $29.00 |
| Windsor–Sarnia | $17.60 | $21.00 | $27.39 |
| Stratford–Bruce Peninsula | $17.60 | $22.00 | $31.00 |
| Northeast | $18.00 | $23.15 | $31.21 |
| Northwest | $18.15 | $24.00 | $36.00 |
Source: Job Bank wages, reference period 2023-2024, revised November 19, 2025. Some Ontario figures are below the current general minimum wage of $17.95 per hour (since October 1, 2026); employers must pay at least the minimum wage.
Career progression and other notes
Progression to senior positions, such as daycare supervisor, is possible with several years of experience or with experience and advanced ECE qualification levels.
Similar occupations classified elsewhere
These occupations look related but belong to a different NOC unit group.
- Child-care centre administrator: NOC 40030, Managers in social, community and correctional services
- Elementary and secondary school teacher assistants: NOC 43100, Elementary and secondary school teacher assistants
- Elementary school and kindergarten teachers: NOC 41221, Elementary school and kindergarten teachers
Hiring for this occupation in Ontario?
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Questions about NOC 42202
What is NOC 42202?
NOC 42202 is Early childhood educators and assistants, a unit group in the 2021 National Occupational Classification (NOC 2021 Version 1.0). It belongs to the broad category occupations in education, law and social, community and government services and to TEER 2.
What TEER is NOC 42202?
NOC 42202 is TEER 2. TEER 2 generally means: college program of 2 to 3 years, apprenticeship of 2 to 5 years, or a supervisory or safety role.
What job titles are in NOC 42202?
The unit group includes 33 job titles, for example child care worker assistant, daycare helper, daycare supervisor, daycare worker, early childhood assistant, early childhood education worker.
How much do early childhood educators and assistants earn in Canada?
Job Bank reports a national median of $22.30 per hour for early childhood educators and assistants, and $22.00 in Ontario. The highest provincial median is in British Columbia at $24.00 (reference period 2023-2024).
Which occupations are similar to NOC 42202?
Related occupations classified in other unit groups include child-care centre administrator (NOC 40030); elementary and secondary school teacher assistants (NOC 43100); elementary school and kindergarten teachers (NOC 41221).
Last updated October 2026. Sources:
- National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021 Version 1.0, Statistics Canada and Employment and Social Development Canada
- Job Bank wages
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