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Early Childhood Education

Available at: Cornwall | Kingston

Overview

Combine theoretical study with practical experience in this program which prepares students to work with children (from birth to age 12) and their families in a variety of early childhood settings.  Graduates have a firm understanding of human development from birth to 12 years of age, and can use this understanding to create responsive, inclusive, play-based learning environments to best support the child as they develop. Students receive 630 hours of practical experience in a variety of early learning environments during three field placements, starting in the first year of the program.  This experience allows students to apply the skills taught in the classroom in real world learning experiences. 

Highlights

Our graduates:

•  Have a firm understanding of human development from birth to 12 years of age. 

•  Understand observation, reflection, and the preparation of pedagogical documentation.

•  Know how children learn and understand how to create responsive, inclusive, play-based learning environments, to best support the child as they develop. 

•  Establish professional relationships with families, other professionals and colleagues.

•  Apply current legislation to their practice.

•  Advocate on behalf of families and the field of early childhood education.

•  Maintain health and safety standards

Career Opportunities

Graduates may find employment in:

•    Licensed child care agencies

•    Full-day Kindergarten classrooms

•    Extended Day Early Learning Programs in the school board

•    EarlyON Child and Family Centres

•    Parenting and family literacy programs

•    School-age child care programs

•    Home child care

•    Domestic or international nannies

•    Community programs

•    Camps

Graduates of the program are eligible to register with the College of Early Childhood Educators in Ontario.
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Program Name

Early Childhood Education

Program Code

0302

Credential

Ontario College Diploma

Start Dates

September

Program Duration

2 years

Location (Campus)

Kingston

Canadian Fees

To view a detailed fee schedule, please click here. The fee schedule will open as a PDF in a new window.

International Fees

To view a detailed International fee schedule, please click here. The fee schedule will open as a PDF in a new window.

Additional Costs

Books, website resource access and curriculum resource supplies are estimated at $2200 over the two years of the program. Costs for First Aid, CPR certification, and the Criminal Background Check(s) are the responsibility of the applicant.

Scholarships and Bursaries

St. Lawrence College offers an extensive Student Scholarship and Bursary Program. Scholarships and bursaries for this purpose are sponsored by external organizations and private individuals. These awards recognize our academic excellence, community involvement, contribution to the quality of College life, outstanding achievement and professional potential. For more details visit Bursaries and Scholarships.

Program Outline 2019-20

Semester 1
CHIL 1004 Child Development I
CHIL 2010 Infant/Toddler Child Care
COMM 110 Communications for College
EARL 4 Introduction to Early Childhood Education
EARL 6 Arts-Based Curriculum
GENE 114 Professional Effectiveness
HEAL 200 Health and Safety

Semester 2
CASE 103 ECE Teaching Practice: Seminar I
CASE 104 ECE Teaching Practice I
CHIL 1005 Child Development II
EARL 3 The Learning Environment
COMM 49 Basic Communication Skills II-ECE
EARL 36 Guiding Children's Behaviour
GENE General Education Course

Semester 3
CASE 2 ECE Teaching Practice II
CASE 3 ECE Teaching Practice: Seminar II
EARL 58 Preschool Curriculum
CHIL 2012 School-Age Curriculum
BEHA 1026 Childhood Exceptionalities
EARL 46 ECE Program Administration

Semester 4
CASE 12 ECE Teaching Practice III
CASE 13 ECE Teaching Practice: Seminar III
EARL 5 Partnerships with Parents and Families
EARL 59 Approaches to Curriculum
General Education

Articulation & Credit Transfer Opportunities

SLC graduates have many options to continue their studies with post-secondary institutions across Canada and around the world. Agreements between SLC and other institutions that are specific to this program are listed below. In addition, there are many credit transfer pathway agreements between colleges and universities within the province of Ontario. Please also visit www.ontransfer.ca to search for options relevant to your program area of study.



>>More information on these SLC Articulations

Admission Requirements

Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) with the majority of Grade 11 and 12 courses at the C, U or M level including the following prerequisites:

  • Grade 12 English at the C or U level
  • Grade 11 Math

For OSSD equivalency options, see Admission Requirements.

Prerequisites

Criminal Background Check:
Applicants are advised that Criminal Background Checks (CBC) conducted by the Canadian Police Information Centre (CPIC) are required for programs with field or clinical placements. Certain criminal convictions may prevent participation in placements and program completion may not be possible. Attaining and paying for a CBC and Vulnerable Sector Screening (OPP) is the responsibility of the student, and these may have to be renewed every three to six months. Applicants with criminal records are advised to contact the Associate Dean/Campus Dean of the respective school prior to applying.

Students applying to the Kingston Campus program must obtain the Criminal Background Check from the Kingston Police Force for field placement agencies in the City of Kingston. Because these documents are time sensitive, students should not apply until informed to do so by their program.

Health Requirements

IMMUNIZATION - COMMUNICABLE DISEASE requirements

Completion of the IMMUNIZATION - COMMUNICABLE DISEASE FORM is a MANDATORY condition
for your clinical/practical placement.  THIS FORM IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY.

Download your IMMUNIZATION - COMMUNICABLE DISEASE FORM (pdf)

Questions regarding completion of this form can be submitted to:  Immunizations@sl.on.ca

Note:  Full-time students coverage for vaccines received on or after September 1, can be claimed under the Student Sickness & Accident Insurance Plan.

Testimonials

Choosing the Early Childhood Education program at St. Lawrence College is one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.  The course material is progressive and relevant, and the instructors are knowledgeable and responsive.  Field placements give students the opportunity to test classroom knowledge in real-world applications, and I found that getting feedback from Registered Early Childhood Educators in the field helped me grow quickly as an educator. Thanks to the ECE program at St. Lawrence College, I feel that I have been prepared for every eventuality I’ve come across in my current job as an RECE.



Gerald McGrath

Program Contact

Kim Hawley
khawley@sl.on.ca
613-544-5400 Ext.1382

Admissions Information

Connect with a Student Recruitment Officer:
dreamit@sl.on.ca
1-800-463-0752 and ask for Recruiting

International Students Contact:
international@sl.on.ca
+1 (613) 544-5400, ext. 5514


Additional Information

Programs at St. Lawrence College are delivered using a variety of instruction modes. Courses may be offered in the classroom or lab, entirely online, or in a hybrid mode which combines classroom sessions with online learning activities. Program delivery can be run weekdays, weekends or evenings. Upon registration, each full-time student is provided a St. Lawrence College email account which is used to communicate important information about program or course events.

Classes may be scheduled any time between 8:30am - 8:30pm.

Professional Association

Graduates of the Early Childhood Education program are required to become members of the College of Early Childhood Education in order to take on the title of Early Childhood Educator. All faculty are members of the College. Our program adopts and adheres to the Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice as professionals in the field of Early Childhood Education.

Field Placement

The development of practical competence occurs through a series of field placements. Such extensive training allows students to build relationships with children and their families which are an essential part of the Early Childhood Education profession.

Early Childhood Education Qualifications Upgrade Program

For information on external grant opportunities funded by the Ministry of Education, for individuals currently working in the child care sector, please visit www.ecegrants.on.ca

Advanced Standing

Applicants with post-secondary credits may be eligible for direct entry to an upper level of the program (semester or year) depending on transfer credits. Select the applicable level when applying at ontariocolleges.ca and ensure that we receive your official post-secondary transcript for consideration. If you are unsure what level to apply for, please contact the program coordinator.

Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition

Students with life experiences may receive credit through the prior learning assessment and recognition (PLAR) process. 

Transfer Credits

Students who have credits from another SLC program or another college or University that they would like to transfer should contact the Credit Transfer Advisor at transfers@sl.on.ca for more information.

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