Program Information

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.  

ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS
1.  High School
Provincial High School Graduation Certificate with a 60% average in nine level 3000 credits or equivalent
2.  Comprehensive Arts and Science (CAS) Transition
Comprehensive Arts and Science Transition Certificate
3.  Adult Basic Education (ABE)
Adult Basic Education (Level III) Graduation with General College Profile (or Business-Related College Profile or Degree and Technical Profile) with an average pass mark of 60%
4.  Mature Student Requirements
Applicants who do not meet the education prerequisites for this program, are 19 years at the time of application and out of school for at least one year may be considered on an individual basis under the Mature Student Requirements; for more information regarding the Mature Student Requirements please refer to Procedure AC-102-PR Admission.
AND
Early Childhood Education (ECE)
Documentation Required:
1. Clear certified criminal records check (issued by RCMP) or clear criminal records screening certificate (issued by RNC)
2. Clear vulnerable sector records check (issued by RCMP/RNC)
3. Record of Immunization or Statement of Immunization

*Please note: The certified criminal records check (issued by RCMP) or clear criminal records screening certificate (issued by RNC), vulnerable sector records check (issued by RCMP/RNC), and the Record of Immunization or Statement of Immunization must be submitted to the College prior to online registration. Further information on obtaining ECE program documentation may be found HERE.
 
The certified criminal records check or criminal records screening certificate and the vulnerable sector records check:
• Must be dated no more than three months prior to the first scheduled day of classes for the program;
• Is valid for a period of three years, unless the student is absent from the program for six months or more.
 
To be employed in the field of early childhood education and to successfully fulfill field placement requirements, students must be able to lift and move children, materials and equipment (up to 50 pounds) on a consistent basis. As well, physical effort, strength and endurance is required in the supervision and care of children, e.g., maintaining balance, kneeling and bending, pushing and pulling strollers and carts, and moving quickly to assist children in emergency situations.

EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION - DIPLOMA

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.

FIELD PLACEMENT
Students complete four Field Placements during the Diploma program, two in year 1 and two in year 2. Field Placements include time spent in the College's demonstration child care centre. Please Note: Students work with the ECE faculty to determine approved field placement sites.
 
Prior to the start of a field placement, students must submit to Student Services a current copy of at least an emergency level (one day) diploma/certificate in first aid and CPR dealing with children. A list of approved first aid training providers can be found on the Workplace NL website.
 
FUTURE OPPORTUNITIES
Graduates of the Diploma program will be prepared for employment with organizations providing early learning & child care, or self-employment in the child care field. With relevant work experience, graduates will be able to develop programs for and/or supervise in child care services in communities throughout the province.

CERTIFICATION
The graduate is awarded a Diploma of Applied Arts in Early Childhood Education from the College. This parchment indicates successful completion of two years of post-secondary education, combining theory and practical experience in the care, education, and guidance of children, as well as best practices in developmentally appropriate programming and environments. Completion of this program is one of the steps towards provincial Child Care Services (CCS) Certification granted through the Association of Early Childhood Educators of Newfoundland and Labrador (AECENL). Currently, the Early Childhood Education Diploma is equivalent to Level II CCS Certification for infant, preschool and school-age children.

EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION - CERTIFICATE

Students in the one-year Certificate program support children's learning, and their development in all areas: physical, social, emotional, cognitive, and language development. The Early Childhood Education Certificate program is the first step in becoming a qualified ECE. Certificate graduates will be eligible for Level I Child Care Services Certification in preschool and school-age care (working with children ages 18 months-12 years). The one-year Certificate is also the same as the first year of the Early Childhood Education Diploma program.

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

1. Support and promote the overall development of children aged 18 months 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 18 months 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. Demonstrate professional behaviour and reflective practice in interactions with children, families and the community.
7. Identify and outline provincial child care legislation, standards and policies.

FIELD PLACEMENT
Students complete two Field Placements during the Certificate program, one in Semester 1 and one in Semester 2. Field Placements include time spent in the College's demonstration child care centre. Please Note: Students work with the ECE faculty to determine approved field placement sites.
 
Prior to the start of a field placement, students must submit to Student Services, a current copy of at least an emergency level (one day) diploma/certificate in first aid and CPR dealing with children. A list of approved first aid training providers can be found on the Workplace NL website.

FUTURE OPPORTUNITIES
Graduates of the Certificate program will be prepared for employment with organizations providing early learning & child care, or self-employment in the child care field.

CERTIFICATION
The graduate is awarded a Certificate of Applied Arts in Early Childhood Education from the College. This parchment indicates successful completion of one year of post-secondary education, combining theory and practical experience in the care, education, and guidance of children. This program is one of the steps towards provincial Child Care Services (CCS) Certification granted through the Association of Early Childhood Educators of Newfoundland and Labrador (AECENL). Currently, the Early Childhood Education Certificate is equivalent to Level I CCS Certification for preschool and school-age children.