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General information

What is the Continuous Professional Learning (CPL) Program?

The Continuous Professional Learning (CPL) Program is an ongoing professional learning program for RECEs that is grounded in self-reflection, self-directed learning and the Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice. 

The CPL Program is designed to support RECEs in: 

  • enhancing their knowledge and skills;
  • strengthening their professional judgment; and
  • improving their practice throughout their career.

It also communicates to families, colleagues and the public that RECEs are members of a distinct profession that demonstrates accountability, maintains public trust, remains current in practice and values ongoing professional learning. 

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. As part of the CPL Program, members must complete:

Educational Requirements  

This module explains your professional and ethical responsibilities as an RECE, and must be completed in your first year of membership.  

This prevention program is an educational requirement that empowers you with proactive approaches to help prevent child sexual abuse.   

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

Learn more in the Notice of Continuous Professional Learning (CPL) Program Requirements.

As an RECE, am I required to fulfill the requirements of the CPL Program?

Yes. Under the Early Childhood Educators Act, 2007, Ontario Regulation 359/15: Continuous Professional Learning, it is mandatory for you to fulfill the requirements of the CPL Program.

As regulated professionals, all RECEs must do so, regardless of employment status, role or practice setting. This includes members who are retired or working outside the scope of practice.

What happens if I haven’t completed my CPL requirements and I answer “No” to the CPL confirmation question on my renewal form?

The College will send you an email regarding your possible non-compliance with CPL Program requirements. The email will include instructions for how you can confirm your compliance. 

If the College does not receive confirmation of your compliance within 30 days, the Registrar will provide a notice of intention to suspend your certificate of registration for failing to comply with CPL Program requirements. You will be asked to submit your CPL records to the College for review within 60 days.

Will there be consequences if I do not complete the CPL requirements?

Yes. Your Certificate of Registration may be suspended by the Registrar if you do not comply with a requirement of the CPL Program. These requirements are set out in the Continuous Professional Learning regulation under the Early Childhood Educators Act, 2007.

Members who falsely declare compliance with their CPL Program requirements could be found guilty of professional misconduct.

To learn more about what happens if you do not complete your CPL requirements, read the Notice of CPL Program Requirements.

I’m in my first year of membership with the College. What are my CPL requirements?

You must complete the Expectations for Practice Module and the Sexual Abuse Prevention Program in your first year of membership.

After you renew for the first time, you will then begin an ongoing professional learning program, the CPL Portfolio Cycle. The CPL Portfolio Cycle is then repeated every year while you are a College member.

What should I do if I am not able to complete my CPL requirements due to illness or personal circumstances?

If you have extenuating circumstances that interfere with completing your CPL Program requirements during a membership year, we recommend you submit a request for deferral. Visit My College Account to find the CPL Deferral Request Form and to submit your supporting documents to the College.

How can I confirm where I should be in the completion of my CPL Program requirements?

Log into My College Account, then click on the Continuous Professional Learning tab to check your current CPL Program requirement.

Here’s a tip sheet  to help you understand the CPL Cycle Details table, which you’ll find in My College Account. The table shows your past CPL declarations and current CPL step.

How long do I need to keep my CPL records?

You must keep your CPL Program records for at least two years. At any time, the Registrar may request that you submit your CPL Program records to the College to confirm compliance or for an audit of your records.

The Notice of CPL Program Requirements outlines which CPL Program records you are required to keep.

Do I need to submit or share my CPL Program records with my employer?

No, you are not required by the College to submit or share your CPL Program records with your employer. In some cases, employers may integrate aspects of the CPL Program into performance management processes or professional development plans. You are welcome to share and collaborate with your employer or your colleagues in completing the program requirements.

Sexual Abuse Prevention Program

What is the Sexual Abuse Prevention Program?

The Sexual Abuse Prevention Program is a mandatory educational requirement that all members must complete. The program supports members’ commitment to the personal safety, health, and well-being of all children and empowers them with proactive approaches to help prevent child sexual abuse.

The program also builds on the skills and knowledge registered early childhood educators (RECEs) already have in this area and provides an opportunity to reinforce the position of trust they have with families and their community in terms of child protection.

Why does the College require members to complete the Sexual Abuse Prevention Program?
The Sexual Abuse Prevention Program for College members launched in July 2022, as mandated by the provincial government.
Describe the Sexual Abuse Prevention Program.

The Sexual Abuse Prevention Program consists of three required elements:

  • Commit to Kids – Child Sexual Abuse Prevention Training
  • Teatree Tells – Put into Practice
  • College Resources to Review:
    1. Professional Advisory: Duty to Report
    2. Racism and Bias in Reporting to Child Welfare
    3. Sexual Abuse Prevention Program Scenarios 

This educational program builds on the skills and knowledge RECEs already have in sexual abuse prevention and equips them to apply it in their work. The program is available through My College Account, at any time and at no cost, in English and French and must be completed by all members.

Learn more about the required elements.

How does the Sexual Abuse Prevention Program fit into the CPL Program?

The Sexual Abuse Prevention Program is a component of the College’s Continuous Professional Learning (CPL) Program.

All new or reinstating members on or after July 1, 2022 must complete the Expectations for Practice Module and the Sexual Abuse Prevention Program before their first renewal. Learn more.

Existing members prior to July 1, 2022 should visit My College Account and review their Continuous Professional Learning tab to confirm their deadline for completing the program.

What is the format of the Sexual Abuse Prevention Program?

The first two required elements involve online, interactive member education, offered in partnership with the Canadian Centre for Child Protection (C3P), a national charity dedicated to the safety of children. They consist of training modules, a knowledge validation test and a quiz that members must complete.

The third required element of the Sexual Abuse Prevention Program consists of College Resources to review:

  1. Professional Advisory: Duty to Report
  2. Racism and Bias in Reporting to Child Welfare
  3. Sexual Abuse Prevention Program Scenarios

Members are required to read the resources and reflect on them.

Will the College’s Sexual Abuse Prevention Program require me to talk to children about sexual abuse prevention?

One component of the Sexual Abuse Prevention Program, a module called Teatree Tells, equips you to have conversations with preschool children around prevention and personal safety, when/if necessary. Teatree Tells provides activities, lessons and resources on topics such as identifying a safe adult, identifying feelings, naming body parts, establishing personal boundaries, and okay/not okay touching.  

The decision to implement any of the activities or lessons into programming is determined by child care and early years organizations, guided by How Does Learning Happen? Ontario’s Pedagogy for the Early Years.

Will refresher courses be mandated over the years?

At this time, you only need to complete the Sexual Abuse Prevention Program online training once. However, the College will periodically review this and may evolve the program, according to member needs and feedback.

Is the College’s Sexual Abuse Prevention Program available to other child care staff working with RECEs?
Only RECEs have access to the Sexual Abuse Prevention Program designed by the College of Early Childhood Educators. Employers, municipalities, and other organizations can reach out to the Canadian Centre for Child Protection for information on how to access their sexual abuse prevention resources.
Will parents and families be made aware of the College’s mandatory Sexual Abuse Prevention Program for RECEs?

The College’s Sexual Abuse Prevention Program is public knowledge. While the online education portion is only accessible to RECEs via My College Account, information about the program in general is available publicly.

Decisions to share information from the program with parents and families are determined by child care and early years organizations, and will not be moderated by the College.

Completing the Prevention Program

Where can I access the College’s Sexual Abuse Prevention Program and when is the deadline to complete it?

The Sexual Abuse Prevention Program is available to members any time, at no cost, in English and French, via My College Account.

There are two ways to confirm your deadline for completing the Sexual Abuse Prevention Program:

Learn more about how to complete the program and confirm your compliance.

I’m registered with the Ontario College of Teachers, and I have completed their mandatory Sexual Abuse Prevention Program. Do I have to complete both sexual abuse prevention programs?

Yes. While there are some similarities between the Ontario College of Teachers’ Sexual Abuse Prevention Program (i.e., the “Commit to Kids” module) and the College of Early Childhood Education’s prevention program, our program also includes an online module called Teatree Tells and other resources specific to the practice of early childhood education in Ontario.

RECEs who are also Ontario Certified Teachers will need to complete the Commit to Kids knowledge validation test and all other elements required by the College of Early Childhood Educators.

Can I complete the Sexual Abuse Prevention Program with another colleague or as a staff team?

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

Can I complete the Sexual Abuse Prevention Program in sessions?

Absolutely. You can complete the modules in a way that suits your schedule, learning needs and learning style.You do NOT need to complete the full program in one sitting.

What can I do if I’m having difficulty engaging in the content of the Sexual Abuse Prevention Program?

Although the program is designed with a focus on prevention, the College recognizes that participating in the program can be emotionally, mentally and physically distressing given the sensitive nature of the content. For some, this content can be particularly difficult due to lived experience related to abuse, including, but not limited to, sexual abuse or violence.

To support our members, the College developed Caring for Self and Others, a resource offering guidance on how you can prepare and care for yourself and possibly other RECEs, before and during participation in the program. It includes strategies for self-care while completing the program and also includes contact information for organizations that may offer you additional support.

You also have the option of applying for a deferral of your CPL Program requirements if there are extenuating circumstances that significantly interfere with your ability to comply with CPL Program requirements.

To learn more about submitting a deferral request or get more information, log into My College Account and click on the Continuous Professional Learning tab. Once there, click on the button to start a deferral request. Note that this is a temporary measure and not an exemption from completing the program requirements.

Post-completion of the Prevention Program

Will I receive a certificate of completion for all three elements?

Certificates of completion will only be provided for Commit to Kids and Teatree Tells from the Canadian Centre for Child Protection (C3P). An automatic notification of completion will also be sent to the College.

You will not receive a certificate of completion for the third element – College Resources to Review.

How will I confirm completion of the prevention program?

You will confirm completion of all three elements of the Sexual Abuse Prevention Program upon renewal.

The automatic notifications to the College regarding Commit to Kids and Teatree Tells will be used to verify members’ confirmation of compliance with CPL Program requirements upon renewal.

In My College Account, your Sexual Abuse Prevention Program row will remain blank in your CPL Cycle Details table until you renew and respond to the CPL confirmation question on your renewal form.

CPL Portfolio Cycle

What is the CPL Portfolio Cycle?

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

The CPL Portfolio includes two components:

  • Reflection and Planning Tool
  • Record of Professional Learning

The CPL Portfolio components and handbook are available here.

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

When do I begin my first CPL Portfolio Cycle?

Your first CPL Portfolio Cycle will begin in the year following completion of the required Sexual Abuse Prevention Program.

When it is time to begin your first CPL Portfolio Cycle, you will receive an email inviting you to request a hard copy of the CPL Portfolio Cycle Handbook. The handbook is also available electronically.

Will the College send me the CPL Portfolio Handbook when I need to start the one-year CPL Portfolio Cycle?

When it is time for you to begin the one-year CPL Portfolio Cycle, you will receive an email from the College with a link to download a copy of the CPL Portfolio Handbook. You will also have the option to request a hardcopy of the handbook to be mailed to you.

Do I need to send in my CPL Portfolio with my renewal?

No, you do not need to send your portfolio to the College when you renew your membership.

You must, however:

  • Fulfill your CPL requirements by the time of your annual renewal;
  • Confirm compliance with your CPL requirements when you renew your membership; and
  • Keep your portfolios and documentation (electronically and/or print) for two years.

Members who falsely declare compliance with their CPL Program requirements could be found guilty of professional misconduct.

What formats can I use to complete and document my CPL Portfolio?

The College is committed to supporting the learning needs and styles of all RECEs and accepts various formats for CPL Portfolio documentation.

You may choose to keep your CPL Portfolio documentation in any format that works for you (e.g., paper, electronic, audio/video/voice recordings, web- or app-based portfolio platform), and that reflects the required content of the Portfolio components.

You must be prepared to share or provide access to your documentation if the College requests it. It is your responsibility to ensure that your records, whether maintained on a web-based platform, app or as a hard copy, are safely stored for future access.

Do I need to complete a specific number of hours or specific learning activities for my CPL Portfolio?

No, you are not required to complete a specific number of hours or take part in specific professional learning activities for your portfolio. The choice of learning activities or experiences and how many you engage in to meet your goal is up to you. Here are some examples.

I already have a professional portfolio; do I have to create a new one for the College’s CPL Program?

Yes. The CPL Portfolio is separate from and different than a general professional portfolio, which you may maintain throughout your career (e.g., résumé, professional development, certificates of achievement, samples of work).

CPL and My College Account

What CPL information can I access through My College Account?

Log into My College Account , then click on the Continuous Professional Learning tab to see:

  • your current step in the CPL Program
  • your past compliance declarations
  • deferrals, if applicable

Here’s a tip sheet to help you understand the CPL Cycle Details table, which you’ll find in My College Account. The table shows your past CPL declarations and current CPL step.

If you have been contacted by the College due to potential non-compliance with CPL Program requirements, you can submit your declaration of compliance or CPL records through My College Account.

If there are extenuating circumstances that significantly interfere with your ability to comply with CPL Program requirements during a membership year, you can submit a request for deferral through My College Account.

CPL Audit

What is the auditing process like?

The Registrar determines the number of members to be selected for an audit of their CPL Program records. RECEs who are selected for an audit are requested to submit their documents within 30 days. Members selected for audit who do not submit the requested documentation enter the non-compliance process. The College takes an educational approach when auditing records by providing remedial feedback to members, as needed.

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

How are members selected for an audit of CPL Program records?

Generally, eligible members are selected at random for an audit. The Registrar, however, has the authority to request information and documents from a member to demonstrate their compliance at any time. There may be circumstances in which a member may be selected specifically for an audit.

How many members will be selected for an audit?

Each year the Registrar will determine the number of members to be selected for an audit of CPL Program records.

How will I be notified if I am selected for an audit of my CPL records?

You will receive a notice from the College via email and mail, if you are selected for a CPL Program audit.

Which CPL Program records will I be required to submit?

All members must keep CPL records for at least two years and make them available to the College if requested to submit them.

In what formats will the College accept my CPL Program records submission?

The College will accept CPL records electronically or hard copy. Members selected for an audit will be provided instructions for submitting a copy of their documents to the College. Members are advised not to submit original documents because they will not be returned.

The College is committed to supporting the learning needs and styles of all RECEs and may accept the use
of alternative formats in the completion of the portfolio components. Please contact the College for more information.

How long will I have to submit my CPL Program records?

Members who are selected for an audit will have 30 days to submit a copy of their documents to the College.  Members are advised not to submit original documents because they will not be returned.

What happens if I am selected for an audit and I do not submit completed CPL Program records to the College?

Members who do not submit their complete CPL program records within 30 days will be deemed to be in non-compliance with CPL program requirements and will be sent a Notice of Intention to Suspend their Certificate of Registration. The suspension will be carried out after 60 days if the member fails to provide the required documents.

Will I receive a grade or evaluation of my CPL Program records?

The College will take an educational approach when auditing member’s CPL records, providing remedial feedback, as needed.