Early childhood educators

Nova Scotia

The employment outlook will be Very good for early childhood educators and assistants (NOC 42202) in Nova Scotia for the 2025-2027 period.The following factors contributed to this outlook:Employment growth will lead to several new positions.A moderate number of positions will become available due to retirements.There are a small number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.High employee turnover in this occupation could lead to additional employment opportunities.There is very strong demand for early childhood educators (ECEs) related to the ongoing implementation of the Nova Scotia Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care Agreement. The number of ECE positions is expected to continue to increase through 2026 due to the planned creation of several thousand new child care spaces under the agreement. Qualified jobseekers should have little difficulty finding employment throughout the province.Jobseekers with basic ECE certification may benefit from further professional development and upskilling through a variety of programs offered by the provincial government under the Nova Scotia Excellence in Early Childhood Education Workforce Strategy.Here are some key facts about early childhood educators and assistants in Nova Scotia: Approximately 5,500 people work in this occupation. Early childhood educators and assistants mainly work in the following sectors: Social assistance (NAICS 624): 75%Elementary and secondary schools (NAICS 6111): 20% The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:Full-time workers: 83% compared to 82% for all occupationsPart-time workers: 17% compared to 18% for all occupations49% of early childhood educators and assistants work all year, while 51% work only part of the year, compared to 62% and 38% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 40 weeks compared to 42 weeks for all occupations.11% of early childhood educators and assistants are self-employed compared to an average of 11% for all occupations.The gender distribution of people in this occupation is: Men: less than 5% compared to 51% for all occupations Women: more than 95% compared to 49% for all occupations The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is: no high school diploma: less than 5% compared to 10% for all occupations high school diploma or equivalent: 18% compared to 27% for all occupations apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 8% compared to 12% for all occupations college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 44% compared to 22% for all occupations bachelor's degree: 20% compared to 20% for all occupations university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: less than 5% compared to 10% for all occupations

Prince Edward Island

The employment outlook will be Very good for early childhood educators and assistants (NOC 42202) in Prince Edward Island for the 2025-2027 period.The following factors contributed to this outlook:Employment growth will lead to several new positions.Not many positions will become available due to retirements.There are a small number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.High employee turnover in this occupation could lead to additional employment opportunities.Early Childhood Educators and Assistants in Prince Edward Island continue to be in high demand over the forecast period due to steady growth in child care spaces and persistent vacancies across the province. The Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care (CWELCC) agreement has driven major improvements in affordability and access, while also boosting wages for workers, making the profession more attractive. Despite these gains, some centres, especially in rural areas, may struggle to recruit and retain certified staff. For new graduates, this means strong prospects with little difficulty finding work, particularly for those holding a diploma in early childhood education. Additional skills such as bilingualism or experience with special needs children remain valuable assets that can improve employability and career advancement. With the province’s continued expansion of child care spaces and emphasis on workforce support, this occupation offers both stability and growth for those entering the field today.Here are some key facts about early childhood educators and assistants in Prince Edward Island: Approximately 1,350 people work in this occupation. Early childhood educators and assistants mainly work in the following sectors: Social assistance (NAICS 624): 94% The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:Full-time workers: 83% compared to 84% for all occupationsPart-time workers: 17% compared to 16% for all occupations52% of early childhood educators and assistants work all year, while 48% work only part of the year, compared to 59% and 41% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 40 weeks compared to 41 weeks for all occupations.8% of early childhood educators and assistants are self-employed compared to an average of 13% for all occupations.The gender distribution of people in this occupation is: Men: less than 5% compared to 51% for all occupations Women: more than 95% compared to 49% for all occupations The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is: no high school diploma: less than 5% compared to 11% for all occupations high school diploma or equivalent: 30% compared to 28% for all occupations apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 8% compared to 11% for all occupations college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 44% compared to 25% for all occupations bachelor's degree: 11% compared to 17% for all occupations university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: less than 5% compared to 8% for all occupations

Northwest Territories

The employment outlook will be Good for early childhood educators and assistants (NOC 42202) in Northwest Territories for the 2025-2027 period.The following factors contributed to this outlook:Employment growth will lead to a moderate number of new positions.Not many positions will become available due to retirements.There are a moderate number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.The Northwest Territories aims to create 300 net new childcare spaces by 2026, which should lead to job growth in this occupation.The federal government announced in March 2025 that the Northwest Territories will receive $80M in extended child care funding to strengthen access to affordable early learning. The federal government is allocating the $80M over five years to support regulated childcare in the Northwest Territories, aiming to maintain the $10-a-day average. The funding accounts for inflation and increases the number of child care spots across the territory (Cabin Radio, March 6, 2025).In addition, the NWT government has pledged a $3.5M boost in Dedicated Wage Funding and a permanent $664K increase in Flexible Funding to strengthen the licensed centre-based Early Learning and Child Care sector, raise educator wages by approximately $9/hour, and support staff recruitment, retention, and program sustainability (Government of Northwest Territories, March 28, 2025).Local training is available.The Government of the Northwest Territories offers a free Early Childhood Essentials Course for early childhood educators working in licensed programs.Diploma programs in Early Childhood Development are offered in the Northwest Territories at Aurora College and at Collège nordique francophone.Early Learning and Child Care Scholarships are available from the Government of Northwest Territories for students enrolled in a diploma or degree program in early childhood development.From 2021-2040, 276 job openings are forecast for early childhood educators and assistants in the Northwest Territories (Government of Northwest Territories, 2023).Here are some key facts about early childhood educators and assistants in Northwest Territories: Approximately 200 people worked in this occupation in May 2021. Early childhood educators and assistants mainly work in the following sectors: Health care and social services (NAICS 62): 79%Educational services (NAICS 61): 15%Public Administration and Defence (NAICS 91): 6% The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:Full-time workers: 77% compared to 88% for all occupationsPart-time workers: 23% compared to 12% for all occupations53% of early childhood educators and assistants work all year, while 47% work only part of the year, compared to 71% and 28% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 41 weeks compared to 44 weeks for all occupations.11% of early childhood educators and assistants are self-employed compared to an average of 7% for all occupations.The gender distribution of people in this occupation is: Men: 9% compared to 52% for all occupations Women: 91% compared to 48% for all occupations The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is: no high school diploma: 20% compared to 17% for all occupations high school diploma or equivalent: 25% compared to 26% for all occupations apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 8% compared to 12% for all occupations college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 31% compared to 18% for all occupations bachelor's degree: 12% compared to 17% for all occupations university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: less than 5% compared to 9% for all occupations