College of ECE's

I don't think it going to change too much. For 150 what are we getting? Not too much...not even a nice t shirt!
I know we have been asking for the recognition for a long time now but 150 bucks plus a 75 registration fee? We don't make that much as it is...
I really hope this makes a difference in our profession. I think only time will tell.

I agree with Lisa.

Time will tell about how it will help/hinder.

Right now I feel like it's just a cash grab..and I'm not liking that.

Remember if you register before the end of the year you will save the $75 registration fee.

My Board of directors was shocked to discover that if I refuse to pay my annual fee, they will get a temporary license at our annual licensing visit with a limited time for me to get my acceptance before they will lose their license completely. They are wondering what will happen if their staff can not afford to pay the yearly fee? Will they be on the hook to pay it for us to ensure they remain licensed?

wow!

I am shocked.

Although I suppose now it will be a stipulation of any employment and it would be cause for dismissal.

What's the whole idea? Is this just an Ontario thing?

Don't worry Kat, you are safe! We have to pay $150 a year plus a $75 registration fee to be able to call ourselves an ECE. Diploma be damned! They are supposed to represent us and bring more accountability to our profession, but really it sort of smarts that we don't already have respect. I feel like I am paying for respect. we are the lowest paid professional career in Ontario, yet we pay higher yearly dues then teacher's do and teacher's certainly get a lot more out of their union.

Has anyone received their membership material yet? I sent mine in early to avoid the $75 registration fee. 8 weeks later I got a letter saying my package had been received, I knew this however as my cheque was cashed immediately. Makes me wonder if I were to be turned down for some reason, would I get my money refunded? It's now been over 12 weeks since my cheque was cashed and still nothing. I had to track down my letter from them to prove I had applied at our Ministry licensing visit on Friday. My toddler teacher hasn't even received that letter, so she had no proof she'd applied, although she did offer to pull up her bank records to show the cashed cheque.

I did get some of my fee back on my income tax, which was nice. Can't remember how much it changed my refund exactly.

I got a letter yesterday that my registration had been processed and I was now a member. Not even a certificate to frame or anything. A little disappointing.

I'm offical now! Where's my prize?

I was just wondering, those who have their ECE must register. What about people who do not have their ECE? And if we are to be considered professionals does that mean that all who work in the field must have their Diploma?

Students are exempt for now. I know my preschool teacher has director's approval and is not in much of a rush to get her diploma since she is making an ECE wage and has all the benefits of being an ECE, yet does not have to pay the annual fee. I have heard rumours that eventually there will be a push for all staff in childcare to have a diploma. If this is true, there will be a huge shortage of qualified assistants etc. There may be a huge shortage of ECE's in general should this full day kindergarten proposal be approved. That will open 2 ECE positions in each kinder classroom. We will be in demand. Great time to get your diploma!

Thanks Andrea, actually I am working on getting my diploma. I'm in my final year. As for the full day Kindergarten, I must say that I am very excited about it. Although it seems like we are not going to accepted open heartedly by the teachers. Please correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't they try to do this same thing in the 80's and it go tossed out? The teacher's union is very strong and I just wonder how it will all work out. The teachers don't see ECEs as 'qualified'

Yeah even my friends who are teachers are against this, they just don't talk about it when I am in the room. Nice! Willing to bet we won't be paid anywhere near as much as they get paid either.

There has been a lot of grumbling about the College of ECE however we need to remember that the College has just started. For all my years in the field I always heard from others being frustrated that we are seen as babysitters and do not have any professional recognition. Although we, as the pioneers of registration in the College of ECE's may not see any immediate benefit, I believe they will be a strong support for future teachers in our field (even if we don't even get a T-Shirt). Also, don't forget to claim that $150 on your tax return.

I can see both sides. I do believe things will be wonderful once up and running, all the kinks out. We will have representation and been seen as a legitimate field as opposed to a "baby sitter". That being said, $150/year is a lot of money, especially for those not currently working in the field. Some employers have been great and because it is a requirement of the job, are offering to pay this fee for their staff to keep their registration current. I really appreciated this at my current site. An excellent one time payment perk. Sort of took the sting out of not being able to afford raises of any significant amount. A raise of $150/year would hardly be noticed, however that one time payment went over really well and was greatly appreciated.