Discussions

Is getting your Early Childhood Education diploma worth it? Is it better (financially) to work as a Childcare Assistant, rather than going through the cost of getting your diploma? Any thoughts would be appreciated!

Your paid for what you know. Not what you do. The more you know the more you get paid.

I had no idea! Is this something more school divisions are doing? Do you have anymore info on this?

Unless things have changed, you can’t stay a CCA forever. When I still worked in centres, I believe cca’s had 2 years before they had to start their ECE training or risk loosing their job. I haven’t worked in a centre for close to 9 years through so maybe this has changed?

I worked as a CCA for a bit. I had to sign a contract saying I would start taking the ECE 2 course within the first year of working. My home life changed so I never ended up doing it. My starting wage as a CCA was decent but if I completed the 2 year program there was only a $1 or so difference in wage. I've talked to a few ECE 2s that work at different places and everywhere pays different so it all depends on where you end up. Outside of Brandon doesnt pay as well as in Brandon but the few places I looked up in Winnipeg pay more than Brandon. I think it's really a personal choice if you really want to go into that career or not, just like any other career.

Yes there is an ECE in the kindergarten classrooms. They plan and do activities. I pm’d you with a little more detail.

No you don't have to become an ece from a cca. Im sure those that have likely worked in a centre where they didnt have enough trained staff so then the individual centre required it but that's not the norm. As a cca you are required to take one 40 hour ece course from acc but that's it. Lots of demand for quality ece's so i would say it's worth it.