Early Childhood Education | St. Clair College
Program Code: B101
Status: Open
Apply Online:
Program Code: K240
Status: Open
Apply Online:
Two Year - Ontario College Diploma
Starts: September, January

Contact:
Windsor
Angela Passador
519-972-2727 ext. 4541
Chatham
Brenda Huff
519-354-9714 ext. 3252

Program Overview

Graduates of this program can be part of the licensed child care team supporting young children in infant, toddler, preschool or school age classrooms in developing thinking, learning, communication, physical, social and emotional skills. Registered Early Childhood Educators design and provide a curriculum that is based on the interests and the developmental level of each child. Practitioners in the field of Early Childhood Education work closely not only with children but also with families and other professionals, so excellent communication and social interaction skills are also required.

Program Highlights

  • Placements can be completed in a variety of places and locations. Placements within a variety of settings such as Francophone or Indigenous settings and also extended hours settings.
  • Graduates are able to apply for certification to the Association for Early Childhood Education Ontario.
  • Graduates must register with the College of Early Childhood Educators to practice in the profession.
  • Registered ECE professionals design and provide a curriculum that is based on the interests and development level of each child.

Career Opportunities

Positions are available in community-based child care; EarlyON Child and Family Centres, and in-home care. There are also positions available in Boards of Education as Registered Early Childhood Educators in Kindergarten classes as well as international opportunities for working with young children.

Transfer Agreement

ECE graduates are eligible to participate in a Transfer Agreement between the Child and Youth Care or the Developmental Service Worker programs and take an “accelerated” one year program to earn their CYC or DSW diploma. Contact the Program Coordinator for details.

Admission Requirements

OSSD with the majority of courses at the College (C), University (U), University/College (M) or Open (O) level plus:

  • Grade 12 English - ENG4U, ENG4C, EAE4C or EAE4U.

Mature students - See Admission Procedures for details.

Important Information

This is a HIGH-INTEREST program and has the potential to become oversubscribed. Applicants are advised to apply before February 1st. See Admission Procedures for details.

Health Requirements

Accepted applicants must supply proof of a satisfactory medical examination and immunization prior to program entry.

Please be advised that lack of documented immunizations may result in the restriction of clinical placement and therefore may delay and/or prevent completion of the prescribed program.

Courses

The curriculum below is for incoming students:

Semester 1
Code Title Credits
ECE134
Curriculum And Pedagogy I
3
ECE137
Foundations Of Early Learning And Care
3
ECE138
Observation And Documentation
3
ECE139
Building Responsive Relationships
3
ECE142
Child Development I
3
Semester 2
Code Title Credits
ELEC1030
Choose 1 Elective Course
3
ECE221
Curriculum And Pedagogy II
3
ECE234
Field Placement Seminar I
1
ECE237
Field Practicum I
11
ECE224
Professionalism
2
ECE227
Child Development II
3
FAW100
Foundations Academic Writing I
3
Semester 3
Code Title Credits
ECE304
Well Being
2
ECE315
Inclusive Practice
3
ECE325
Field Placement Seminar II
1
ECE327
Field Practicum II
11
ECE322
Child Development III
3
ECE319
Community and Families
2
Semester 4
Code Title Credits
ECE400
Outdoor Education
3
ECE424
Field Placement Seminar III
1
ECE426
Field Practicum III
11
ECE422
Issues And Leadership
2
ECE427
ECE Advocacy
2
ELEC1030
Choose 1 Elective Course
3
ECE205G
Anti-Oppression In Canadian Society
3

Past Cohorts:

Semester 1
Code Title Credits
ECE134 Curriculum And Pedagogy I 3
ECE137 Foundations Of Early Learning And Care 3
ECE138 Observation And Documentation 3
ECE139 Building Responsive Relationships 3
ECE142 Child Development I 3
Semester 2
Code Title Credits
ELEC1030 Choose 1 Elective Course 3
ECE221 Curriculum And Pedagogy II 3
ECE223 Field Placement And Seminar I 10
ECE224 Professionalism 2
ECE227 Child Development II 3
FAW100 Foundations Academic Writing I 3
Semester 3
Code Title Credits
ECE304 Well Being 2
ECE315 Inclusive Practice 3
ECE318 Field Placement and Seminar II 10
ECE322 Child Development III 3
ECE319 Community and Families 2
Semester 4
Code Title Credits
ECE400 Outdoor Education 3
ECE405 Field Placement And Seminar III 10
ECE422 Issues And Leadership 2
ECE427 ECE Advocacy 2
ELEC1030 Choose 1 Elective Course 3
ECE205G Anti-Oppression In Canadian Society 3

Placement Requirements

Please be aware that although a COVID-19 vaccination is not required to attend St. Clair College, some of our placement sites may require students to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 to be eligible to attend. Unfortunately, we cannot predict if a placement site will begin to require full vaccination and as such, we are encouraging all students to consider vaccination. If the requirement of your placement sites changes at any point, you will be notified immediately by the College.

It is important to note that if placement sites do require students to be fully vaccinated to attend their place of business, students who are not fully vaccinated cannot be provided with a placement for their program and therefore will not be able to complete their programs.

If you have any questions about the COVID-19 vaccines, please contact our St. Clair College Health Centre at 519-972-2727 ext. 4484 (in Windsor) or 519-354-9100 ext. 3729 (in Chatham).

Employers who provide our field placement settings require a clear POLICE RECORD CHECK for criminal offences with vulnerable sector screening before accepting a student into the field placement setting. The record check MUST be obtained by the student at the student's expense.

PRIOR TO CLASSES
Entering Year 1 - Due September 15th for September Intake and Due January 15th for January Intake

PRIOR TO CLASSES
Returning Year 2 - Due September 15th

  • Tuberculosis Screening - 1 step if you can produce prior documentation of having 2 step screening done; otherwise 2 step is required
  • Police Clearances for the School of Community Studies
  • Acknowledgement of Responsibility
  • Standard First Aid and CPR Level C Certification from WSIB approved agency

Your Investment

The standard tuition and compulsory fees for the current academic year:

2023-2024 Tuition Fees  

For programs with Experiential Learning (Work Placement/Internship): Costs for accommodation, if needed, travel and related expenses is at the student's own expense. It is recommended for most programs, that students have access to a laptop or desktop computer while away from home during experiential learning periods.

Textbooks and other materials are in addition to Tuition Fees. Textbook prices may be found through the Bookstore website.

Please be aware that tuition and compulsory fees are subject to adjustment each year. The College reserves the right to change, amend or alter fees as necessary without notice or prejudice.

Program Physical Demands Analysis

Program Vocational Learning Outcomes

Early Childhood Education (Ontario College Diploma) (MTCU Code 51211)

The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:

  1. Create learning contexts to enable, build and maintain caring, responsive relationships* in partnerships with children*, families* and communities that value and respect social, cultural and linguistic diversity* including Indigenous* peoples’ worldviews and Francophone identity.
  2. Co-create, facilitate and reflect upon inquiry and play-based* early years and child care* programs and pedagogical* approaches to support children’s* learning, holistic development* and well-being following children’s* capabilities, interests, ideas and experiences.
  3. Co-design and maintain inclusive* early learning environments* to value and support equitable, accessible and meaningful learning opportunities for all children*, their families* and communities in a range of early years and child care* settings.
  4. Collaborate with children*, families*, colleagues, agencies and community partners to create, maintain, evaluate and promote safe and healthy early learning environments* to support independence, reasonable risk-taking and healthy development and well-being.
  5. Use observation strategies* to identify children’s* strengths and challenges and to ascertain when children* and families* might benefit from additional support or community resources.
  6. Use professional communication in interactions with children*, families*, colleagues, employers, the regulatory body*, government authorities and children’s* service agencies to meet legal and ethical standards of the early years sector*.
  7. Act in accordance with relevant legislation, regulations, College of Early Childhood Educators Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice, agency policies and procedures and principles of evidence-informed practice* and reflect* upon their impact on one’s own role in early years and child care* settings.
  8. Identify, report and document when a child is in a situation of perceived risk for, or actual neglect or abuse, in accordance with legislation, the College of Early Childhood Educators Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice, policies and procedures.
  9. Create and engage in partnerships with families*, communities, colleagues, interdisciplinary professionals, authorities and child service agencies to advocate for quality early years and child care* programs and services.
  10. Engage in reflective practice* and continuous professional learning* in accordance with principles of lifelong learning, evidence-informed practices* in the early years sector* and requirements of the College of Early Childhood Educators.

Additional Information