College Diploma - Early Childhood Education

Early Childhood Educators (ECEs) have a lasting, positive impact on the development of children, and provide an essential support for families, communities, and society. Early literacy and numeracy, socialization, indoor and outdoor physical activities, and creative experience in art, music, movement, and dramatic play, are some of the areas in which students will acquire knowledge and skills to support and encourage children's development. Students will have the opportunity to apply their learning on field placements, with different age groups, in the College's demonstration child care centres and a variety of child care settings.

The usual work environment for ECEs involves daily indoor and outdoor activity. Being in good health and having, energy, patience, physical stamina, good communication and interpersonal skills are assets that will help students in this profession.

Students in the two-year Diploma program support children's learning, and their development in all areas: physical, social, emotional, cognitive, and language development. In addition, students learn how to develop, maintain, and evaluate a child care program based on best practices, and support the inclusion of all children, in programming. Students are introduced to the administrative skills necessary to manage a child care service. With relevant work experience, a Diploma graduate will be qualified to become the Administrator of a licensed child care centre.

There is a direct link between the level of education an ECE has and the quality of education and care that is provided to children. The Early Childhood Education Diploma program is an important step on the career ladder (certificate, diploma, degree) to increasing qualifications as an ECE. Diploma graduates are eligible for Level II Child Care Services Certification in infant, preschool and school-age care, working with children ages 0-12.

OBJECTIVES

Upon successful completion of the Diploma program, graduates will be able to:

1. Support and promote the overall development of children aged birth to 12 years.
2. Develop and maintain developmentally appropriate programs, and indoor and outdoor environments that reflect best practices.
3. Explain variations in the developmental abilities of children aged birth to 12 years.
4. Maintain caring and responsive relationships with the children in their care.
5. Carry out effective and positive behaviour guidance, and discuss challenging behaviour.
6. Create and implement a philosophy statement, and develop programs and policies based on the philosophy.
7. Support staff in the delivery of programs, policies and guidelines.
8. Set up and maintain an environment that supports diversity and inclusion.
9. Observe, document and evaluate program delivery, child development, and adult/child interactions.
10. Discuss and illustrate the principles of early learning.
11. Demonstrate professional behaviour, reflective practice, and effective relationships with children, families, staff, and the community.
12. Apply provincial child care legislation, standards and policies, and all other applicable legislative and regulatory requirements.