The Early Childhood Education program at Centennial College is committed to ensuring you'll be prepared to become a leader in the profession. The program has consistently received KPI distinction awards for Employer Satisfaction and graduates are respected as professionals.

As a student in the Early Childhood Education program, you'll learn to provide high standards of care to children and their families. This highly regarded offering will teach you to take responsibility for observing the needs of individual and groups of children, and create well-planned, stimulating and responsive programs. You'll come to understand the needs of infants, toddlers, pre-school and school-aged children.

Rich classroom experiences will offer you a range of opportunities to understand the content as professors employ a variety of strategies so you'll be able to practice and apply what you learn. Supporting this program are Centennial College’s two state-of-the-art early childhood education centres. Used as lab schools, these centres, located in East York and at Progress Campus, will allow you observe and/or practice in a high-quality childcare setting.

If you're energetic, fun loving, dedicated to your learning, and enjoy working with children and adults, this is the program for you!

Notes:

• This program is taught using a combination of modalities. Courses may be delivered face-to-face, online or in a blended/hybrid combination of both online and traditional classroom teaching.

Future Alumni

"Centennial First, Alumni Forever". Graduates of the Early Childhood Education program will become life time members of the Centennial College Alumni Association (//ccaa.life/).

Companies Offering Jobs

As a graduate from the Early Childhood Education program you will be qualified to:

• Work with children and families in childcare centres;
• Work in full-day learning classrooms within the Boards of Education;
• Work with children and families in drop-in centres, shelters and community service programs;
• Opening your own home childcare in accordance with legislative requirements.

Program Highlights

• You'll experience practical experiential learning through three field placements in the community, working directly with infants or toddlers, pre-school and school-aged children.
• Qualified and experienced supervisors will support you during the field placement to ensure your learning is optimized.
• During the third or fourth semesters, opportunities will be available to work in full-day kindergarten environments.
• In semesters 3 and 4, a block placement will be incorporated to maximize your ability to solidify skills.
• This program is committed to respond to and reflect current trends and directions in the field and profession.
• Highly skilled faculty will create stimulating learning opportunities in the classroom that will address a range of learning styles.

Indigenous Studies: First Peoples in Canada Certificate

ECE students have the opportunity to obtain a concurrent Certificate in Indigenous Studies. For more information, visit //www.centennialcollege.ca/programs-courses/schools/school-of-advancement/programs/specialized-academic-certificates/indigenous-studies-first-peoples-in-canada-certificate/

Global Citizenship and Equity Portfolio

You'll develop a portfolio documenting your engagement with the College’s signature Global Citizenship and Equity competencies. For more information, please visit //www.centennialcollege.ca/citizenshipandequity.

The Leadership Passport

The Leadership Passport will provide you with opportunities to practice and develop leadership skills through predetermined criteria and to earn a special designation on your Early Childhood Education diploma. For more, please visit: //www.centennialcollege.ca/LeadershipPassport

Graduates have demonstrated the ability to:

• Plan, implement and evaluate curriculum founded on a thorough understanding of child development that's responsive to the developmental needs of children;
• Utilize a variety of observation techniques to enhance work with children, families and co-workers;
• Maintain responsive relationships with children;
• Develop and maintain effective communication with children, families, co-workers, employers and individuals/agencies;
• Apply relevant legislation to early childhood education programs;
• Apply personal philosophy of early childhood education;
• Provide a rationale for practice;
• Demonstrate professionalism in all areas of performance;
• Advocate for quality childcare.

Career Outlook

• Early Childhood Educator
• Registered Early Childhood Educator
• Designated Early Childhood Educator

Education Pathways

Successful graduates of this Early Childhood Education program have the opportunity to apply their credits toward further study at the degree level. Listed below are the pathways with partnering institutions that are available for this program.