Glossary

A role in which individuals create a positive organizational climate, ensure legal and financial competence, engage the community, advocate, foster innovation, and use data to inform strategic planning (Talan et al., 2023).

Association of Early Childhood Educators Ontario.

An RECE or leader in an agency that is supporting and guiding the student.

All Kids Belong.

Childcare and Early Years Act.

College of Early Childhood Educators.

Is planned and implemented with children’s interests, needs, capacities, and strengths at the heart of the planning process (Community Child Care, 2011).

Communities of Practice is a group of educators who come together regularly to share and reflect on different topics.

A learning plan that summarizes what educators’ want children to learn, how they want them to learn it, and how they plan to teach and assess it (Brightwheel, 2024).

Business or Centre in the Early Years System.

Early Childhood Educators Act.

A child-centred approach to education that evolves based on the interests, ideas, and experiences of the children, allowing their natural curiosity to guide the learning process (Bright Horizons, 2020).

Refers to the specific assigned location/organization that a student practices within.

A supervised, hands-on learning experience where students have the opportunity to work directly with colleagues, children, and families within an early years agency and apply their theoretical knowledge to real-world situations.

Licensed Child Care Network.

Defined as the understanding of how learning happens- the philosophy, method, and practice of facilitating learning.

A role in which individuals guide and support educators to enhance teaching and learning practices through a foundation in research, child development, family engagement, and trauma-informed principles (Talan et al., 2023).

The methods, approaches, and strategies used to facilitate learning (ProctorEdu, n.d.).

Learning through play. There are two types of play: Free Play, which is child-directed and motivated, and Guided Play, which involves the educator offering extended learning opportunities to the play.

This refers to learning opportunities such as workshops or research sessions that support and enhance professional practices.

A high level of standard that educators and early years agencies should strive for. Example: A nurturing environment that supports the social, emotional, and cognitive aspects of child development.

An Early Childhood Educator who is registered in the field.