The College of Early Childhood Educators has shared preliminary year-end registration figures for the 2025-26 reporting year (ending June 30, 2026), offering an early look at Ontario’s early childhood education workforce. The College’s full annual report will be released later this summer.

Preliminary figures show:

• RECEs in Good Standing: 70,261
• Former RECEs (suspended, resigned, retired, or revoked): 42,948
• Applications Received: 8,615
• New RECEs Approved: 7,939

One of the most notable findings is the 8,615 applications received during 2025-26. According to the College, this represents a record number of applications, with volumes comparable to those seen during the College’s early years, when Registered Early Childhood Educator (RECE) registration was first introduced. The approval of 7,939 new RECEs also reflects a significant increase in professionals entering Ontario’s regulated early childhood education workforce.

As Ontario continues to expand licensed child care under the Canada-wide Early Learning and Child Care (CWELCC) system, attracting and retaining qualified RECEs remains essential. While the number of new applicants is encouraging, the cumulative total of 42,948 former RECEs highlights the continued importance of workforce retention.

We look forward to the release of the College’s full annual report later this summer, which will provide additional insights into registration trends across Ontario.