Dustin Hickey, a gym teacher and recreation planner at the Creative Kids Education Centre in Hammonds Plains, says working with children is different every day. He believes anyone who gets into early childhood education as a job has to be patient and flexible. (TED PRITCHARD / Staff)

LIKE MANY PEOPLE who end up working with young children, Dustin Hickey knew from an early age he would spend his working life helping shape young minds.

The 23-year-old Antigonish native says even as a teen he was coaching sports teams and organizing events for kids half his age.

"I love the energy," he said during a break from his job as gym teacher and recreation programmer at the Creative Kids Education Centre, a private school for Primary to Grade 5 students in Hammonds Plains. "When you are working with young children, no two days are the same."

Even though he's taken recreational leadership training through the community college in Truro and earned the equivalent of his early childhood educator's certificate through other training, he said every day is a learning experience and he recommends anyone interested in the field be ready to continually upgrade their skills.

The relatively low level of pay in the field may discourage some people from getting involved, but he believes people who are passionate about it can make it work. He hopes to leverage his recreation training into after-school coaching and programming opportunities.

Want to learn more about the field? Read on.

NATURE OF THE WORK
Early childhood educators plan and organize activities to encourage the intellectual, physical and emotional growth of children. They lead children in activities, guide and assist children in their development and discuss the children.s progress with their parents. Early childhood educator assistants supervise preschool children in day-care centres and nursery schools and, under the supervision of an early childhood educator, they lead children in activities to stimulate and develop their intellectual, physical and emotional growth through storytelling, songs and creative activities.

SKILLS
You should enjoy working with children and be in good health. Physical stamina is needed. You must be patient, imaginative and resourceful. The ability to communicate ideas in a clear, concise and pleasant manner is also necessary.

EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS
A bachelor's degree or diploma in early childhood education is required to become a childhood educator. A bachelor's degree in education may also qualify, providing you have sufficient experience and additional training in early childhood practice. Completion of high school and experience in child care are required to become a childhood educator assistant. Additional post-secondary training may also be required.

For a child-care facility to be licensed, the director and at least two-thirds of the staff must have completed an appropriate training program. An application to become licensed must be made to the Department of Community Services, Prevention and Child-care Services Section.

WORK PROSPECTS
Many parents prefer to have their children cared for by trained staff and in a structured environment with opportunities for learning and socializing with other children.

The demand for day care will remain strong as women continue to participate in the labour market at high levels and are more likely to remain in the workforce once they have children. Compared to occupations with similar education requirements, early childhood educators have lower salaries and a large amount of responsibility and stress in their positions. In Nova Scotia, a significant number of job openings due to turnover are expected in the coming years.

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