Procedure 1.2.33 DESIGNATED EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATOR PERFORMANCE APPRAISAL

Approved: January 15, 2013

Revised: May 26, 2026

Procedures

1.0 General

1.1 At the beginning of the school year, the DECE will create an annual growth plan to establish professional learning goals.

1.2 The employee’s immediate supervisor will complete the performance appraisal of the DECE.

1.3 A performance appraisal will occur within the probationary period as defined by the collective agreement. Subsequent performance appraisals must occur once every three years. The immediate supervisor may conduct additional appraisals at any time if deemed necessary.

1.4 Completed performance appraisals will be sent to Human Resources with copies being routed to the employee file.

1.5 Nothing in the set of procedures will contravene the collective agreement.

2.0 Annual Growth Plan (Appendix A)

2.1 This will be a self-directed process. The DECE is required to review and update their growth plan annually.

2.2 In consultation with the employee’s immediate supervisor, the DECE will determine an appropriate goal for growth based on the DECE’s last appraisal and will draft an annual growth plan. This plan will outline the areas for growth, strategies and resources, target dates for completion and overall review and suggestions.

2.3 The DECE and the employee’s immediate supervisor will agree on the timeline for implementing the annual growth plan, methods for monitoring growth, specific indicators of growth and procedure for reporting.

2.4 During an evaluation year, the DECE will meet with the Principal to discuss the annual growth plan. This discussion can take place during the pre- and post-observation meetings.

2.5 During a non-evaluation year, it is recommended but not required for the DECE and Principal to meet about the annual growth plan. However, if the DECE or Principal requests a meeting to discuss the annual growth plan, then a meeting must take place.

3.0 Performance Appraisals

All DECEs will be appraised according to the process outlined in Appendix B, using the performance appraisal tool. (Appendix B).

3.1 Appraisal of Probationary DECEs

3.1.1 The employee’s immediate supervisor will appraise each DECE during the probationary period as defined by the Collective Agreement.

3.1.2 The report will result in a recommendation for action.

3.2 Appraisal of DECE Performance

3.2.1 The employee’s immediate supervisor will appraise the performance of the DECE once every three (3) years or as required.\

3.2.2 At the beginning of the appraisal cycle, the employee’s immediate supervisor will meet with the DECE to discuss key performance objectives and related performance criteria for the review period as listed on page 1 of the Performance Appraisal. The annual growth plan will be reviewed and updated with these objectives and criterial in mind.

3.3.3 The employee’s immediate supervisor will conduct the appraisal and prepare the overall evaluation results summary using Appendix C. The employee’s immediate supervisor will then meet with the DECE to review the results and, if required, agree to an action plan to enhance performance (Appendix D). The employee will then have the opportunity to comment on his or her own performance.

3.2.4 A copy of the performance appraisal report will be placed in the DECE’s personnel file.

3.3 Appraisal Resulting in a Satisfactory Rating

If a DECE receives a Satisfactory rating, the DECE and Supervisor must identify learning and growth strategies that reflect the findings of the appraisal. The growth strategies must be taken into account in the DECE’s annual growth plan.

4.0 Appraisal Resulting in an Unsatisfactory Rating

4.1 First Unsatisfactory Rating

4.1.1 When a DECE has received an Unsatisfactory performance appraisal, the Supervisor must ensure that the DECE receives the support, guidance, and monitoring necessary to enable them to improve their performance within a given period.

4.1.2 Within 15 school days of the DECE receiving the rating, the Supervisor must provide the DECE with an improvement plan (Appendix D) that provides a written explanation of what is lacking in the DECE’s performance and sets out the recommended steps and actions the DECE should take to improve it. The plan will also indicate assistance to be provided, indicators of success, a timeline for improvement, and method of assessment.

4.1.3 The DECE is responsible for undertaking the steps set out in the improvement plan. At the request of either party, the DECE and Supervisor must meet to discuss the outcome of the appraisal process after the DECE receives a copy of the completed summative report and improvement plan signed by the Supervisor.

4.2 Timing of a Second Appraisal Following the First Unsatisfactory Appraisal Rating

4.2.1 The interval between the first performance appraisal that results in an Unsatisfactory rating and the second performance appraisal is at the Supervisor’s discretion, subject to any applicable board policies, as long as the second appraisal takes place within 60 school days after the supervisor has given the DECE written notice of the initial Unsatisfactory rating. In exercising this discretion, Supervisors must balance the desirability of giving DECEs a reasonable opportunity to improve their performance against the responsibility of providing students with quality services.

4.2.2 If the second appraisal results in a Satisfactory rating, the DECE and Supervisor must follow the process outlined above in article 3.3 “Appraisal of DECE resulting in a Satisfactory Rating”. If the second appraisal is Unsatisfactory, they must meet the requirements set out below.

4.3 Second Unsatisfactory Appraisal Rating

4.3.1 DECEs who receive two consecutive Unsatisfactory ratings on their summative reports will be placed on review status. In such a case, within 15 school days, the Supervisor must:

- - provide the DECE with a written Improvement Plan, setting out steps and actions that the DECE should take to improve his or her performance. The Improvement Plan should take the DECE’s input into account. Before preparing the plan, the Supervisor must consult with the appropriate Supervisory Officer; and
  - give the appropriate supervisory officer a signed copy of the summative report, the Improvement Plan, and all documents relied on in conducting the performance appraisal, together with a brief written summary of the matters discussed with the DECE at the appraisal meeting(s).

5.0 Review Status

5.1 Supervisor’s Responsibilities

Whenever a DECE is placed on review status, the Supervisor will:

monitor the DECE’s performance;
consult regularly with the supervisory officer regarding the DECE’s performance and steps that could be taken to improve it;
give the DECE feedback and recommendations that the Supervisor considers might help the DECE improve their performance.

5.2 Timing of the Next Appraisal

5.2.1 When a DECE is placed on review status, the Supervisor must conduct a performance appraisal within a period of 120 school days that begins with the day on which the DECE is advised that he or she is on review status.

5.2.2 If this performance appraisal results in a Satisfactory rating, the DECE immediately ceases to be on review status. The Supervisor must advise the DECE in writing of that fact and provide a copy of the signed summative report with its notice of the latest appraisal rating. At the request of either party, and after the DECE receives a copy of the summative report, both the DECE and Supervisor must meet to discuss the performance appraisal.

5.2.3 If this appraisal results in an Unsatisfactory rating, the DECE’s employment may be terminated.

5.3 Recommendation to Terminate Employment

5.3.1 If the performance appraisal conducted while a DECE is on review status results in an Unsatisfactory rating, the Supervisor must promptly send a written recommendation to the board that the DECE’s employment be terminated. The recommendation must be accompanied by written reasons for the recommendation and copies of all performance appraisal documents and all documents relied on in conducting the performance appraisals.

5.3.2 The Supervisor must promptly provide the DECE with the following:

- - a copy of the written recommendation;
  - a copy of the written reasons for the recommendation;
  - copies of all performance appraisal documents and all documents relied on in conducting the performance appraisals.

Appendices

References