Information for Employers

Ontario Regulation 359/15: Continuous Professional Learning, made under the Early Childhood Educators Act, 2007, requires all RECEs to fulfill the requirements of the College’s CPL Program. 

As regulated professionals, all RECEs are required to fulfill the CPL requirements, regardless of employment status, role, or practice setting. This includes members who are retired or working outside the scope of practice.

The CPL Program requirements are described in the Notice of Continuous Professional Learning (CPL) Program Requirements.

Employers can support RECEs by understanding the CPL Program, which includes Educational Requirements and the CPL Portfolio Cycle. Other ways to offer support are providing opportunities for discussion sharing of ideas and resources, and offering time for RECEs to complete requirements. Through the performance management process, employers may collaborate with an RECE to develop portfolio goals that are mutually beneficial, both to the RECE as a professional and to the employer.

We know that many employers are committed to ongoing professional learning, and many provide learning opportunities to their staff on a regular basis. An RECE will be able to document a learning activity, in which they participated through their employer, if it connects to their current CPL portfolio goal(s).

RECEs are not required to submit or share their CPL Program records with their employer. RECEs may choose to keep their records confidential.

However, in cases where RECEs are supported by their employers to participate in the CPL Program, sharing of the CPL records may be agreed upon by the employer and the employee.

CPL Portfolios may provide a focus for employee performance management discussions or be integrated into processes and assist in planning professional learning experiences for an RECE.

RECEs have an individual professional responsibility to participate in the CPL Program. Employers are not responsible for ensuring that their employees are compliant with the CPL Program requirements.

Employers, however, can support RECEs by understanding the CPL Program’s Educational Requirements and the CPL Portfolio Cycle. Other ways to offer support include providing discussion opportunities, sharing of ideas and resources and offering time for RECEs to complete their CPL requirements. Through the performance management process, employers may also collaborate with an RECE to develop portfolio goals that are mutually beneficial.

Yes. An RECE’s Certificate of Registration may be suspended by the Registrar if they do not comply with a requirement of the CPL Program. These requirements are set out in regulation under the Early Childhood Educators Act, 2007. RECEs who falsely declare compliance with their CPL Program requirements could be found guilty of professional misconduct.

To learn more, read the Notice of CPL Program Requirements.

RECEs can review the Timeline Chart to find out when they start the revised Continuous Professional Learning Program. RECEs can log into My College Account to check their current requirement in the CPL tab.

In extenuating circumstances, RECEs may be granted a deferral of their CPL Program requirements. A CPL Deferral Request Form and supporting documents can be submitted to the College through My College Account. It is recommended that RECEs submit a request for deferral as soon as possible once the extenuating circumstance arises.

RECEs are required to complete the Expectations for Practice Module within their first year of membership. The module takes about 1.5 hours to complete and includes topics related to:

• Early Childhood Educators Act, 2007
• RECE professional and ethical responsibilities 
• College Council and committees
• Professional misconduct, incompetence and incapacity

This mandatory CPL educational requirement for RECEs is now available through My College Account, at any time and at no cost, in English and French. The Sexual Abuse Prevention Program consist of three required elements:

• Commit to Kids – Child Sexual Abuse Prevention Training
• Teatree Tells – Put into Practice
• College Resources to Review

The program will build on the skills and knowledge RECEs already have in sexual abuse prevention and equip them to apply it in their work.

For more information, visit the College website here.

Yes, all members will have access to the Sexual Abuse Prevention Program as of July 1, 2022. RECEs can complete it at any time; however, they’re still required to complete their current CPL requirements up until their next renewal date. They will declare that they have completed the Sexual Abuse Prevention Program on the schedule outlined in the Timeline Chart, even if they have completed it early.

Yes. RECEs may choose to complete the program alone or with colleagues. Engaging in reflection and dialogue with colleagues may enhance learning. Each member must complete the knowledge validation test and quiz in their own profile and confirm completion of the program components upon renewal.

The CPL Portfolio Cycle 2022 is a one-year portfolio process where RECEs reflect on their practice, develop one professional learning goal, and plan, and engage in and document their professional learning activities.

The CPL Portfolio includes two required components:

1. Reflection and Planning Tool
2. Record of Professional Learning

The CPL Portfolio Cycle 2022 components and handbook are available here. Completing the CPL Portfolio Cycle 2022, however, is optional during the year that a member is completing the Sexual Abuse Prevention Program educational requirement.

Beginning July 2023, renewing members will start the new one-year CPL Portfolio Cycle upon renewal.

For more information, please review the Timeline Chart here.

The CPL Portfolio 2022 is a simplified version of CPL Portfolio 2019 version .

Visit the CPL Program page on the College website for information and resources.

You can also contact the Professional Practice Department by email at cpl@college-ece.ca or by telephone at 1 888 961-8558.