Diploma in Early Childhood Education

This program is well-suited for students who:

• Have strong observational and analytical skills
• Enjoy working as a member of a team
• Have strong language (oral and written) skills
• Are self-reliant and enjoy challenges
• Are interested in child development and teaching children through play
• Are comfortable using computers and other forms of technology
• Enjoy working with children and their families
• Have effective interpersonal skills

Early childhood education is a physically demanding profession. Individuals entering this program must be able to lift children, materials, and equipment (up to 32 kgs). As well, individuals must be able to run/move quickly between areas in the room and outside to ensure children`s safety. In addition, educators must constantly observe children to ensure safety and to assess children`s abilities, skills, and interests to develop meaningful curricula. Entering the program without these abilities may result in unsuccessful placements and students who fail to complete all placements are not eligible to graduate.

Level 01

• ENL1813S Communications I
• FAM1000 Observation Skills
• FAM1015 Preparation for Placement
• FAM1236 Introduction to Curriculum
• FAM1241 Health and Wellness for Children
• FAM1242 Foundations of Early Childhood Education
• FAM1243 Child Development

Level 02

• ENL2027 Communication II for ECE
• FAM0029 Music and Movement Experiences for Children
• FAM1003 Psychology of Learning
• FAM1233 Seminar I
• FAM1234 Practice Teaching I
• FAM1245 Environments for Young Children
• FAM1246 Introduction to Children with Exceptionalities
• FAM1248 Guiding Children's Behaviour

Level 03

• ENL1904F Children's Literature
• FAM0030 Creative Art Experiences for Children
• FAM1033 Practice Teaching II
• FAM1240 Seminar II
• FAM1244 Environments for Kindergarten and School-Age Children
• FAM1247 Creating an Effective Curriculum
• FAM1249 Math and Science Experiences for Children

Level 04

• FAM1043 Practice Teaching III
• FAM1238 Seminar III
• FAM1250 Language and Emergent Literacy
• FAM1251 Families and Community
• FAM1252 Assessment of Children's Learning
• FAM1253 Professional and Administrative Practices in ECE

The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:

1. Create learning contexts to enable, build, and maintain caring, responsive relationships in partnerships with children, families, and communities that value and respect social, cultural, and linguistic diversity including Indigenous peoples` worldviews and Francophone identity
2. Co-create, facilitate, and reflect upon inquiry and play-based early years and child care programs and pedagogical approaches to support children`s learning, holistic development, and well-being following children`s capabilities, interests, ideas, and experiences
3. Co-design and maintain inclusive early learning environments to value and support equitable, accessible, and meaningful learning opportunities for all children, their families, and communities in a range of early years and childcare settings
4. Collaborate with children, families, colleagues, agencies and community partners to create, maintain, evaluate, and promote safe and healthy early learning environments to support independence, reasonable risk-taking, and healthy development and well-being
5. Use observation strategies to identify children`s strengths and challenges and to ascertain when children and families might benefit from additional support or community resources
6. Use professional communication in interactions with children, families, colleagues, employers, the regulatory body, government authorities, and children`s service agencies to meet the legal and ethical standards of the early years sector
7. Act by relevant legislation, regulations, College of Early Childhood Educators Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice, agency policies and procedures, and principles of evidence-informed practice and reflect upon their impact on one`s role in early years and child care settings
8. Identify, report, and document when a child is in a situation of perceived risk for, or actual neglect or abuse, by legislation, the College of Early Childhood Educators Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice, policies, and procedures
9. Create and engage in partnerships with families, communities, colleagues, interdisciplinary professionals, authorities, and child service agencies to advocate for quality early years and child care programs and services
10. Engage in reflective practice and continuous professional learning by principles of lifelong learning, evidence-informed practices in the early years sector, and requirements of the College of Early Childhood Educators
11. Identify and apply discipline-specific practices that contribute to the local and global community through social responsibility, economic commitment, and environmental stewardship.

Registered Early Childhood Educators may find employment in:

• Early learning and care programs
• Nursery schools
• Kindergarten classrooms
• Community health agencies
• Home childcare organizations
• Entrepreneurial opportunities.