Literature review and analysis of discussion group

The discussion notes are being augmented with a literature review to aid the transfer of knowledge and awareness of the related body of 3 | L i t e r a t u r e   R e v i e w   &   A n a l y s i s         research that is in existence. [...] Certification & Standardization “The single most critical factor affecting the quality of early learning and care programs is the knowledge, skills and stability of the early childhood workforce.” (Government of Ontario, 2007, p.7) A significant theme highlighted in the first breakout session discussion was the issue of national ECE accreditation and the challenges related to jurisdictional issues [...] An accessible 5 | L i t e r a t u r e   R e v i e w   &   A n a l y s i s         and inclusive process of accreditation was favored by the participants because it would open the window of opportunity up to a larger pool of potential ECE candidates, increasing the number of graduates to ultimately build a sustainable ECE workforce in the north. [...] The document highlights descriptions of best practice produced by leading Canadian child care agencies and organizations including: the Canadian Child Care Federation, the Certification Council of Early Childhood Educators of Nova Scotia, the Coordinators of ECE programs in Ontario’s Colleges of Applied Arts and Technology, and the Western Canada Family Child Care Association of BC. [...] The new Code of Ethics was used to inform draft work on a set of occupational standards; “Occupational standards is defined as written descriptions of the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to do a specific job in a competent fashion and the behaviours that are acceptable with recipients of the service and with colleagues” (Doherty, 2008, p.1).