Fanshawe College Diploma in Early Childhood Education (Fast Track)
Fanshawe College

Fanshawe College

Diploma in Early Childhood Education (Fast Track)

  • Saint Thomas, Canada
  • Toronto, Canada

Diploma

37 weeks

English

Full time

Jan 2026

On-Campus

Key Summary

    About : The Diploma in Early Childhood Education (Fast Track) offers an accelerated pathway for students to gain essential knowledge and skills for working in early childhood settings. This program focuses on critical aspects of child development, curriculum planning, and effective teaching strategies, designed to equip future educators for success in the field.
    Career Outcomes : Graduates can pursue diverse opportunities in early childhood education, including roles as preschool teachers, childcare center directors, and early intervention specialists. The program prepares students to engage with children and their families while supporting their development and learning during crucial early years.

The Early Childhood Education (Fast Track) program is an Ontario College Diploma delivered in a face-to-face, traditional classroom environment. The "fast track" allows students with a related diploma, degree or work experience to gain advanced standing into the diploma program, graduating to an ECE career in just 10-months.

Your Learning Experience

The Early Childhood Education (Fast Track) program is designed for students who want to go from the classroom to a career in a short time. As a student you will experience a unique blend of theory and coursework, with real experience in the field. Over 10 months, you'll develop your knowledge and professional skills in the early childhood educator's role and responsibilities, the importance of play in children's learning, family involvement and curriculum design and pedagogy. Your practicum will expose you to a wide variety of age groups and multiple organizations, providing eclectic experiences that will make you more valuable to the field of early childhood education.

When you graduate you will have the knowledge and necessary skills to work with children, families and community in the context of early learning and development programs for children from birth to age twelve. You will also be prepared to work in a variety of settings, including child care centres, early learning and family centres, Best Start programs, before and after school programs and with school boards.

Certifications and Pathway Opportunities

Students are required upon graduation and prior to working as an Early Childhood Educator to join the College of Early Childhood Educators.
Certification by the Association for Early Childhood Educators, Ontario may be applied for after completion of the program. The certification process involves the completion of a personal profile and the successful completion of a certification examination.
Students who graduate from this program and wish to transfer to another Community Studies program at Fanshawe College may qualify for some internal credits that have already been achieved.

Graduates of this program, once they have completed a bridge program, can enter into Level 5 of the Honours Bachelor of Early Childhood Leadership Degree program at Fanshawe College.

CIP Code: 19.0709