Early Childhood Education
You May Be Interested If:
You're a senior-level secondary school student who wants to explore a potential interest in further studies and a career in early childhood education.
What Students Are Saying About This Program
“My experience here has been amazing-being able to have the option of taking the dual credit has made me realize that ECE is what I would like to do. At first college was not something I had looked into but I now think I will attend Sheridan to complete the ECE programme. I'm so glad I had this opportunity at such a young age.”
What Will I Learn/Do?
You'll take two courses – one will introduce you to both theoretical and practical aspects of child care in the early years through play, and the other is a general education course selected for its relevance to the work of an early childhood educator. This dual credit opportunity provides a great way to understand the important role that early childhood educators play in supporting and facilitating children's learning and development, and see if early childhood education is for you.
Course Descriptions:
Foundation Of Play-Based Curriculum
Students explore the foundations of play-based curriculum specific to young children in early learning and care environments in order to foster and facilitate inclusive, holistic learning and development. Students examine how an early learning curriculum framework guides curriculum planning and explore a variety of resources and strategies to support the design of creative arts and sensory experiences.
Interpersonal Communication & Early Childhood Educator
Students will develop their ability to communicate professionally within the field of Early Childhood Education. Through reflection students examine topics related to interpersonal communication. Students explore basic interpersonal communication skills and concepts related to the self as the communicator, the components and complexities of communication, perceptual barriers, active listening, assertiveness as they relate to interacting effectively with others.
Pathways to Full Time Sheridan Programs:
If you enjoyed this dual credit program, you may want to apply for either the full time or part-time ECE Ontario College Diploma Programs at either Sheridan's Trafalgar Road or Davis Campus. If you are accepted, the ECE dual credits you successfully earned will be counted as courses already completed. The Early Childhood Education program prepares you to become a highly skilled professional dedicated to providing young children with the best possible education and care, through a focus on applying research-based theory to practical experiences that encourage young children’s optimal development and growth. Through the ECE Program you'll learn about:
- Best practices for working with children in early childhood
- Roles and responsibilities of the early childhood educator
- The importance of play in a child’s development and learning
- Curriculum design and implementation
- Curriculum models in early childhood
- Promotion of pro-social behavior
- Programming for infants, toddlers and school-age children
Further Academic/Career Pathways:
When you graduate from the diploma program, you'll be eligible to become a registered member of the College of Early Childhood Educators (CECE), a requirement for practice in the province of Ontario. Career opportunities include: Centre-based child care programs; Ontario Early Years Centres; nursery schools; family resource programs; District School Board kindergarten programs; recreation programs; regulated home child care agencies; before and after-school programs and ESL/LINC child minding programs. You may wish to continue your studies at the degree level at Sheridan or the following universities: Ryerson, Athabasca, Charles Sturt, Griffith and other postsecondary educational institutions. Multiple pathways to an exciting career await you!