Child Development Practitioner

A Child Development Practitioner (CDP) plans and implements age-appropriate service, supports and programs for children that facilitate physical, social, emotional and cognitive growth. CDPs deliver services in multiple settings, including, but not limited to, childcare centres/facilities, the preschool sections of hospitals and schools, and Ontario Early Years Centres. Specifically, a Child Development Practitioner:

practises and promotes health
fosters relationships with children
plans developmentally appropriate programs and supports emergent learning practices
cultivates family, cultural and social relationships
applies intervention strategies
participates in a team environment with families, colleagues, community members, and support services providers
works in an interdisciplinary team environment and communicates with other professionals
practices professionalism and adheres to ethical standards

Apprenticeship Resources

Becoming an Early Childhood Educator in Ontario (PDF)

Apprenticeship Training Standard (PDF)

Curriculum Training Standard (PDF)

Supplemental Resource Guide (PDF)

Child Development Practitioner Program Reminder (PDF)

APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM

An apprenticeship training program consists of on-the-job and in-school training. Generally, the time-frame to become competent in the trade of Child Development Practitioner is 6000 hours (approximately three years) consisting of 5280 hours of on-the-job work experience and 720 hours of in-school training.

ON-THE-JOB TRAINING

An apprenticeship involves practical training provided on-the-job by a skilled worker, or trainer. The skills or competencies to be developed are set out by the trade’s Apprenticeship Training Standard and are recognized by the industry as being essential to the practice of the trade.

As these essential skills are developed, the apprentice’s sponsor or trainer signs the relevant sections of the training standard to indicate that the apprentice has met the individual training objectives by demonstrating the skills required of a skilled worker, or journeyperson, in the trade.

IN-SCHOOL TRAINING

A Child Development Practitioner apprenticeship includes reportable subject based of theoretical training, which includes but is not limited to instruction in:

health, safety, and nutrition
child development
creative expression
foundations of early learning environment
preschool and school age learning environment
child protection
inclusive practice and advocacy
infant and toddler learning environment
philosophies and models of early childhood development
child, family, and community
legislation & social policy in early learning
advanced placement

Depending on the training delivery agency, in-school training may be available in one of the following ways:

block release (full-time, for a set number of weeks)
day release (one day per week from September to June)
part-time (night-school programs)
alternative delivery (online, correspondence, etc.)

Child Development Practitioner is a trade named under the Building Opportunities in the Skilled Trades Act, 2021.

This trade has an apprenticeship program that is administered by the Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development.Upon completion of an apprenticeship program, the Ministry issues a Certificate of Apprenticeship.

Because there is no certifying exam in this trade, Skilled Trades Ontario does not issue a Certificate of Qualification.

Because this trade is non-compulsory, the information of individuals practicing this trade will not appear on the Skilled Trades Ontario Public Register.