Rick Nankissoor
Years later, you realize that you were part of their story. That is one of the greatest rewards of this profession.
My career in Early Childhood Education began somewhat unexpectedly in 1991.
My first opportunity came through a program called Futures, where I was placed at the Midtown Kiwanis Boys and Girls Club. It was an incredible introduction to working with children. The mentors were supportive and inspiring, and every day brought something different.
When the program ended, I began walking around my neighbourhood, hand-delivering resumes to local child care programs, and one of those walks changed the direction of my life.
I arrived at West End Parents Daycare, and that became my first position in licensed child care. The position provided me with the opportunity to work as an Early Childhood Assistant (ECA) while completing my Early Childhood Education diploma through night school. I became a full-time Early Childhood Educator (ECE) after graduating.
Over the years, I worked with several Directors, but one individual had a particularly important influence on my career: Nelson. He told me something that stayed with me throughout my career:
"This is a great place, but if you want to grow, you need to take a risk and experience other environments."
His advice encouraged me to step outside of my comfort zone.
When an opportunity became available at Campus Co-op at the University of Toronto, I decided to take that risk. This experience opened my eyes to an important part of our profession: advocacy. Over time, I became a union steward and eventually served as President of CUPE Local 2484. My career was beginning to expand beyond the classroom.
During my final period at the UofT Early Learning Centre, I became increasingly interested in the business and management side of child care. I took a Director position at the same organization where my child care career had begun and spent almost a decade in that role.
Over the course of my career, I witnessed our profession evolve significantly. Eventually, early learning and child care became part of the Ministry of Education, and the College of Early Childhood Educators was established as the regulatory body for RECEs in Ontario.
Since 2025, I have served as an elected member of the College of Early Childhood Educators Council, representing the Toronto region. I have also served on the Discipline and Fitness to Practise Committee and the Registration Committee.
When I look back, I sometimes find it remarkable that I never set out in 1991 with a plan to build a lifelong career as an ECE. I simply accepted an opportunity. That opportunity led to another, and another, and each chapter prepared me for the next.
More importantly, I have had the privilege of watching hundreds of children grow from young children into amazing adults. I hope that, in some small way, I have contributed to their lives.
When you work in early childhood education, you don't always see the long-term impact of what you do. A child who once sat in your classroom may eventually become a teacher, doctor, business owner, parent, artist, tradesperson or community leader.
Years later, you realize that you were part of their story. That is one of the greatest rewards of this profession.
I also believe strongly in mentorship. The reason I am so passionate about mentoring others is that mentors were willing to invest in me when I was 20 years old and had no clear career plan. I believe leadership means doing the same for the next generation.
I did not plan this career. The career found me. And I am grateful that it did.
After more than 35 years in the field, I remain proud to call myself a RECE. The greatest lesson my career has taught me is simple: You never know where one opportunity will take you. Sometimes you just need to walk through the first door.
Rick Nankissoor, RECE