Can you describe the Program?
The Early Childhood Education Program is a 2 year program designed to prepare graduates to work with young children up to six years of age. Academic courses include such important topics as child development, best practices in ECE, importance of play-based programs, the educator's role and responsibilities, human relations and human diversity, promotion of pro-social behavior, identifiable curriculae such as High/Scope and Montessori. In addition to in-class academic and hands-on practical learning, students will gain extensive experience from field placements in child care centres on campus and in the community.
What makes the Program unique?
The ECE program at Sheridan has two unique features: courses delivered through the use of webct mobile learning and the inclusion of High/Scope methodology as one technique for working with young children. Courses are taught through the use of laptop computers and webct course delivery in the classroom. This provides students with the opportunity to gain valuable technology skills as an enhancement to their learning in ECE. Sheridan has a formalized partnership with the High/Scope Educational Research Foundation. This provides students with the opportunity to learn about this renowned, research-based, developmentally appropriate curriculum as a means to providing 'best educational practices' for young children.
How long has the Program been offered at Sheridan?
The program has been offered at Sheridan since the early 1970's. Some of the graduates of the ECE program who continued their 'lifelong learning' at university, have become faculty in the ECE program.
What is Mobile Computing?
Mobile Computing provides students with the opportunity to take 'their learning' with them beyond the classroom. Each student leases a laptop computer from Sheridan (leasing cost is included in your total fee), for use during each academic year of the program. The laptop is fully equipped with the necessary software programs to complete ECE at Sheridan. ECE classrooms are networked to the Internet with printers available for printing course materials and assignments. Professors use both educational technology and webct course formats to share course material and information with students. Through such tools as web mail, students may access their professors on a daily basis. Course content, readings, in-class exercises, assignments, grades are available to students prior to each class. for more information about mobile computing at Sheridan, visit Mobile Computing.
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Who is the Program targeted at?
The program is targeted at individuals who have an enjoyment of working with young children and an interest in the care and education of children during the early years.
What are the admission requirements.
Admission requirements are found on the program pages for ECE and ECE Intensive programs.
How many people apply to the program?
There are thousands that apply to both campuses for the program. There are around 360 first year spaces available for the ECE program for the students to come and attend. Applicants may apply to the program for a start in the Fall (September) or Winter (January) semesters.
What are the supplemental admission requirements (portfolio, etc.)?
There are no additional admission requirements for the ECE program. However, students are required to obtain a Criminal Record Check and appropriate Health Immunization before they can start the field placements.
Describe the background of a typical student.
The typical student will definitely vary. The individuals will come from various backgrounds and everything about them will vary but the one common trait that they will have is an interest in working with young children.
How much is the tuition?
Tuition costs for this academic year can be found here.
What could I expect to pay for textbooks?
Textbook costs vary each semester, with semester one being the most costly - approximately $500. Several of the textbooks purchased will be used in several courses throughout the 2 year program.
What is the workload like?
The workload of an ECE student will vary, depending on how the student manages their time and how many external commitments each student has. The second year is definitely heavier than the first year. Mid semester and the end of the semester are usually the busiest times, with tests and assignments due.
What is the timetable like?
The typical timetable can vary. You could have classes as early as 8 or as late as 6, but you will never go from 8 to 6 in one day. Most courses are taught in 3 hour blocks of time, with a break in the middle. Courses can occur once a week for 14 weeks or twice a week for 7 weeks.
What kind of field placements is there in the program?
Currently, there are 3 field placements that the students are required to complete. The first placement which is in 1st year 2nd semester; students go for 2 days a week for 6 weeks. The 7th week is a block week which means that students go to the placement for the full 5 days that week. The second placement which is 2nd year 1st semester, students go for 4 days a week for 6 weeks. The third placement which is 2nd year 2nd semester students attend 3 days a week for 6 weeks. At each placement students are required to complete both planned activities and spontaneous activities with the children, in addition to meeting the expected competencies and skills required to work with young children. The types of field placements are typically child care centres, nursery schools, kindergartens, and some special placements such as hospital playrooms and early years programs.
What are typical positions for graduates?
Over 97% of Sheridan graduates find employment in this field. Early Childhood education graduates find jobs as Early Childhood Educators in licensed child care programs, early years programs, nursery schools, before and after school child care programs and kindergartens as teaching assistants. After gaining some experience in the field, graduates may progress to supervisory or administrative positions or may open their own child care centres.
How can I go to university after completing ECE at Sheridan?
ECE graduates may choose to continue their education after Sheridan by further studies at university. Several universities provide transfer credits towards the ECE diploma from a community college, to allow ECE graduates to enter the second or third year of study in a related undergraduate degree program. For example - Ryerson, Athabasca, York, and Brock.
How much money can I expect to earn when I graduate?
ECE graduates could expect starting salaries after graduation in a range of $25,000 to $45,000 per year for full time employment, depending on the type of job, position obtained and nature of the program. For more ECE salary information you may visit the following websites: http://www.cdrcp.com or http://www.aeceo.ca