The Job of a Kindergarten Teacher in Canada | Immigration Methods, Requirements, and Income

The Job of a Kindergarten Teacher in Canada | Immigration Methods, Requirements, and Income

Kindergarten teachers and assistant teachers can apply for immigration to Canada through various pathways. These individuals interact with children up to the age of 5 in Canada.

Kindergarten teachers in Canada must hold an ECE degree. They are responsible for the care, education, and development of children (up to five years old).

Assistant teachers in Canada must possess an ECEA certificate. Their work is similar to that of kindergarten teachers, with the difference that they do not perform tasks independently and work under the supervision of kindergarten teachers. Other differences between these two roles include the level of salary, legal restrictions, and the number of children under their care. Assistant teachers earn less, face more legal restrictions, and oversee fewer children compared to kindergarten teachers.

Note: Kindergarten teachers have greater responsibilities towards the children and their families.

Required Documents for Kindergarten Teachers in Canada and Assistance for Immigration to Canada

• Relevant and valid educational certificate (ECEA – ECE)
• Language proficiency certificate (requirements depend on your chosen immigration pathway)
• Proof of financial means (to cover one year of living expenses in Canada)
• A valid job offer from a Canadian employer
• ECE association license from the desired province
• CPR and first aid certificate
• Police clearance certificate

The ECEA – ECE certificates can be obtained from colleges and universities approved by the ECE Registry. These courses are offered both in-person and online.

Immigration Methods for Kindergarten Teachers to Canada

1. Atlantic Immigration Program

One of Canada’s federal immigration programs that kindergarten teachers and assistant teachers can benefit from is the Atlantic Immigration Program. Through this program, you can settle and work in the Atlantic region.

Requirements for this program:

• At least one year of relevant work experience
• A valid job offer from a Canadian employer in the Atlantic region
• A minimum of a high school diploma
• Minimum language proficiency at CLB 5

2. Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP)

One of the pathways for kindergarten teachers and assistant teachers to immigrate to Canada is through the provincial nominee programs. The requirements for each province differ in detail when accepting kindergarten teachers in Canada. However, all provinces share common requirements such as having a valid job offer, an ECEA – ECE certificate, and a relatively good level of language proficiency.

If you are choosing a province for immigration to Canada through the job of a kindergarten teacher, we recommend the province of British Columbia. This province currently has the highest acceptance rate for such individuals due to its high demand.

For further information about the kindergarten teacher job in the province of British Columbia, Canada, contact SMILE to Canada experts.

3. Obtaining a Work Visa Through a Kindergarten Teacher Job Offer in Canada

If you have received a valid job offer from a Canadian employer, you can apply for a work visa as a kindergarten teacher in Canada. For this, you need to have financial means and relatively good English language skills.

The main requirements for obtaining a Canadian work visa through a job offer include holding an ECEA or ECE certificate and having a valid job offer from a Canadian employer.

What qualifies as a valid job offer?

1. It must not be seasonal.
2. It should be for at least one year.
3. The job offer must be for full-time work (at least 30 hours per week).
4. It must have a positive LMIA or be exempt from LMIA altogether.

4. Canada Express Entry (Federal Skilled Worker Program)

In the National Occupational Classification (NOC) system, kindergarten teachers and assistant teachers fall under TEER 2. Therefore, the Canada Express Entry pathway is open for them to obtain permanent residency in Canada. In Express Entry, you must meet the eligibility criteria based on factors such as work experience, education, age, language skills, job offer, and adaptability to life in Canada. After calculating your points, you must reach the minimum required score to enter the draw, and upon receiving an invitation, you can proceed with applying for permanent residency.

If you have at least one year of relevant work experience, you can apply for permanent residency through the Federal Skilled Worker Program (a part of Express Entry).

Kindergarten Teacher Salary in Canada

The average hourly wage for a kindergarten teacher in Canada is CAD 20.20. Due to the high demand for kindergarten teachers in Canada, an additional CAD 4 is added to the base salary. The wage for an assistant kindergarten teacher is somewhat lower. The salary of an assistant teacher depends on factors such as work experience and the location of employment.

Average Salary of a Kindergarten Teacher in Canada:

• Lowest hourly wage for a kindergarten teacher: CAD 15.00
• Average hourly wage for a kindergarten teacher: CAD 20.20
• Highest hourly wage for a kindergarten teacher: CAD 26.50
• Average annual salary for a kindergarten teacher in Canada: CAD 39,117

The highest demand for kindergarten teachers and assistant teachers in Canada is in the province of British Columbia. The wage rates for kindergarten teachers in British Columbia are as follows:

• Lowest hourly wage for a kindergarten teacher: CAD 16.075
• Average hourly wage for a kindergarten teacher: CAD 19.96
• Highest hourly wage for a kindergarten teacher: CAD 27.00
• Average annual salary for kindergarten teachers in British Columbia: CAD 39,501

Pathways for Kindergarten Teachers and Assistant Teachers in Canada

To immigrate as a nurse to Canada, you need to prove your language skills, so it is required to take recognized language tests.

Two specialized exams, CPNRE and NCLEX-RN, must be completed depending on the circumstances. Each of these exams is designed for a specific group of nurses. Below is a brief explanation of each exam.

1. Kindergarten Teacher Education in Canada

An assistant kindergarten teacher in Canada can become a full kindergarten teacher by studying and obtaining an ECE (Early Childhood Education) certificate. This allows them to no longer work under supervision for child care. After becoming a teacher, their salary also increases.

There are opportunities for university education for kindergarten teachers in various child-related fields (such as: child education, art therapy for children, child psychology, etc.). They can eventually reach a position where they teach at a university level.

1. 2. Kindergarten Teacher Jobs in Canada

Currently, the job security for kindergarten teachers in Canada is very high. Kindergarten teachers and assistant teachers can work up to 40 hours a week in Canada.

Teachers can work in kindergartens, childcare centers, and even in homes.

1. 3. Kindergarten Director in Canada

Due to the high demand for child enrollment in kindergartens, being a kindergarten director in Canada is considered a high-paying and promising career. You can either establish your own kindergarten or get hired as a director in an existing one.

Official statistics show that the number of people working in this field is lower than Canada’s needs to fill this job opportunity. Therefore, investing in this profession can be low-risk and highly profitable.

Steps to Obtain Permanent Residency for Kindergarten Teachers in Canada

Step 1: In the first step, you must enroll in an accredited college or university in Canada to obtain an ECE or ECEA certificate. After enrollment and completing the course, you must successfully pass the final exam.

Step 2: After completing the previous step, you must receive your exam transcripts. This process takes about one to ten days.

Step 3: In the third step, you must obtain your certificate.

Step 4: This step takes approximately three months. In this phase, you will submit your documents to the BC Registry. Afterward, if your language skills are sufficient, trial interviews will begin.

Step 5: You must obtain a valid job offer from a Canadian employer.

Step 6: In the sixth step, you will submit a work permit application to the Canadian Immigration Department.

Step 7: In the final step, you must convert your temporary residence to permanent residence.

These steps are outlined in general. There may be slight differences depending on the immigration method you choose. For example, in the Federal Skilled Worker program, you apply for permanent residency from the beginning.