A Study of the Ecological Features that Contribute to Misconduct by Registered Early Childhood Educators

This project is a joint collaboration between researchers at Carleton University and the College of Early Childhood Educators (the College). The College oversees the regulation and professional conduct of over 60,000 Registered Early Childhood Educators (RECEs) in Ontario. A major challenge that the College faces is supporting the high quality and professional practice of RECEs, which may be undermined by poor working conditions, among other factors. This project seeks to answer the primary question: How do the socioecological features of early learning work settings contribute to the professional misconduct actions of RECEs? It will examine different factors such as physical space, staffing, and informal and formal workplace policies to determine their associations with different types of misconduct. This project will identify the socioecological features of high-risk workplace environments and develop strategies to improve professional conduct and regulatory enforcement. It is then expected that the College and sector partners will have a more accurate understanding of the socioecological factors that contribute to RECEs’ professional misconduct, potentially reducing these types of cases in the future.

Faculty Supervisor:

Kelly Babchishin

Student:

Partner:

College of Early Childhood Educators

Discipline:

Sociology

Sector:

Public administration

University:

Carleton University

Program: