Healthcare

Early Childhood Education

Foster the learning and growth of children and play an important role in child development by studying for a diploma in Early Childhood Education. Touch their lives with this rewarding career in the education sector.

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Type

Diploma

Duration

66 Weeks

Internship

13 Weeks

Program Outline

View Outline

Program Outline NB

About The Program

The Early Childhood Education program equips students with skills and knowledge in child development through mental, physical, social, and emotional fostering. You will learn to nurture a child’s growth and learning and apply theories through hands-on experience with a 13-week field placement. In addition, our ECE courses focuses on building skills in developing program and curriculum that promote positive development for a child. With New Brunswick-specific courses to satisfy details of the provincial framework, graduates of the program can attain meaningful careers in the ECE field and make a positive difference in the lives of children in their communities. An ECE diploma will unlock rewarding careers that will let you have a direct and positive impact on the lives of children.

Our program has officially been recognized by the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development as being equivalent to a two-year Diploma in Early Childhood Education.

Career Opportunities

As an ECE graduate, you can find employment in healthcare, social assistance, recreational, educational, or service organizations. You may qualify for various positions such as Childcare Worker Assistant, Childcare Worker (Daycare), Daycare Helper, Daycare Supervisor, Daycare Teacher, Daycare Worker, Early Childhood Assistant, Early Childhood Education Worker, Early Childhood Educator, Early Childhood Educator Assistant, and Early Childhood Supervisor.

Salary

N/A

Employment Rate

$ 17

Average Wage/Hour

$ 20

High Wage/Hour

Source: workingincanada.gc.ca

NOC Code: 4214 - Wage data is rounded to the nearest dollar and based on New Brunswick data. Average wage doesn't reflect the starting salary but represents the middle value between lowest to highest wages. Local or regional income may vary. Last updated in Dec. 2022.

Available Learning Options

At Eastern College, you can choose the learning option that meets your needs. This program is currently available in:

In-Class

Instructor-led classes held in-person at one or more of our 4 campuses.

Early Childhood Education

Duration: 66 Weeks

Internship: 13 Weeks

Program Outline NB

Remote

Instructor-led classes on a set schedule, held remotely live on video over the Internet.

Early Childhood Education

Duration: 66 Weeks

Internship: 13 Weeks

Program Outline NB

Program Details

Early Childhood Education is a field that puts you at the intersection of child development and education. If fostering the learning and growth of children interests you, and you want to learn concepts such as curriculum programming to enrich the lives of children, the Early Childhood Education diploma program at Eastern College will put you on the path to a rewarding and fulfilling career. The Department of Education and Early Childhood Development has officially acknowledged our program as equivalent to a two-year Diploma in Early Childhood Education.

The ECE program will teach you the foundations of the discipline – from your role and responsibilities as an educator to the applicable legislative and curricular frameworks needed in early learning settings. You will then learn the different fundamentals of child development, the psychology of early learning, and the proper manner of teaching various subjects to young children such as math, science, music, health, and literature. Enhance your competency with special topics related to observation and assessment of children’s learning, child abuse prevention and intervention, professional wellness and development, building family-centered partnerships, and dealing with exceptional children.

Innovative and engaging courses make for one of the most in-demand early childhood education programs. You’ll have the opportunity to apply what you’ve learned in the classroom during an 13-week field placement and gain hands-on experience while building your professional network. After learning key skills, theories, best practices, and how to apply them, you will graduate confident, qualified, and ready for an impactful and rewarding career.

Students of this program will receive:

Microsoft Office Suite training
First Aid and Infant and Child Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) – Level C certifications
13-week internship
Diploma upon program completion

Course Listings: New Brunswick

Building Partnerships in ECE Setting

Developing partnerships with families is an integral part of the ‘family-centred approach in early childhood education. This course studies various aspects of this developmentally appropriate practice by examining specific strategies for building effective partnerships such as: positive communication practices, supporting family involvement, and exploring ways to respond to the changing face of Canadian families. The increasing role of the educator within the community will also be examined.

Children with Exceptionalities

This course is designed to develop an understanding of various disabilities. Emphasis is placed on the educator’s role in planning for individual needs, while supporting the needs of the entire group in an inclusive environment. The focus is on using a team approach, with active family involvement to support the child with special needs in inclusive educational settings.

Children’s Literature

This course will study the design of literacy rich environments, including how to integrate language and literacy into all aspects of play-based program planning. Receptive and expressive language, writing and other graphical forms, as well as the reading of texts that are developmentally appropriate and of interest to the child from 0 to 12 years will be discussed.

Early Childhood Education Foundations

This course provides students with foundational understanding of the field of Early Childhood Education. Students will be introduced to the profession, the role and responsibilities of an Early Childhood Educator, as well as applicable legislation and curriculum frameworks required for working in a variety of early learning and care settings and with various age groups.

Career Planning & Preparation - Level I

This module introduces tools for planning and preparing for a successful job search, so that students can maintain a career-focused approach throughout their education program. Students will learn about the "Hidden" Job Market and ways to access it in their upcoming job search, how to research opportunities and network for industry contacts, and use appropriate etiquette when communicating with prospective employers. Students will identify their personal skills, values and preferences for the workplace, begin preparation of a professional resume and references, and organize proof documents for their career portfolio. Class discussions on various self-management topics introduced in Student Success Strategies will round out this module, which is a pre-requisite for Career Planning and Preparation - Part II.

Career Planning & Preparation - Level II

This module builds on concepts and skills introduced in the Career Planning and Preparation Level 1 prerequisite module. In this subsequent module, you will update and refine your resume and Linked In Profile. You will continue writing cover letters and learn the value of customizing cover letters to specific job postings. You will have the opportunity to apply this knowledge as you conduct a job search and write a cover letter tailored to an ideal job post. Through research, you will create a list of top employers and target current industry opportunities. You will learn about current methods for applying to job postings using technology. You will also gain an understanding of the job interview process, typical interview questions and possible responses, and expectations of both the interviewer and interviewee. In addition, you will engage in practical application of the interview process through role-plays. Topics such as negotiating salary, self-management, and on-the-job success for placements and post-graduate employment will be also covered.

Curriculum Development & Design Part I

This course will guide student understanding of curriculum development and design. Students will analyze and practice facilitating and evaluating children’s learning through curriculum planning and design using emergent principles, developmental theories, and play-based pedagogy based on curriculum frameworks for individual children and groups of children. Students will learn how to design environments that support positive early learning experiences through exploration both indoors and outdoors for infants and toddlers.

Curriculum Development & Design Part II

Digital Literacy for Professionals

This course has four units that introduces you to the fundamental concepts and principles of learning and working in a digital environment. The first unit introduces you to using devices and handling information with topics on operating systems (Windows, MAC, and Linux), computer organization (folder management and naming conventions), cloud storage (including Microsoft OneDrive), types of web browsers including Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, and Apple Safari), and fundamental troubleshooting. In the second unit, you will become familiar with creating and editing information through learning about file formats (pdf, mp4, docx), productivity (including iWork and Microsoft Office Suite) and creativity (Adobe, Canva, iMovie) platforms, and basic introduction to Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. The third unit on communicating and collaborating will introduce you to web conferencing applications (Slack, Zoom, Microsoft Teams), mail applications (including Microsoft Outlook and Gmail,), project management tools (Trello, Asana), and time management tools (including Todoist, Outlook Calendar, and iCal), and building rapport virtually. In the final unit, you will gain an understanding on netiquette, cybersecurity, and digital wellness. After completing this course, you will have enhanced digital literacy skills as a professional in the working and learning environment.

Field Placement - ECE

Through this course, the teacher-in-training will develop skills in presenting developmentally appropriate activities to young children, on both an individual and a group basis. Students are scheduled for field practicum in community placement settings. These supervised field work hours assist the student in practicing observation and teaching skills

Fundamentals in Child Development Part I

This course examines child development from theoretical, genetic, and environmental perspectives. Students will study the cognitive/language, social, emotional, and physical domains of development, with a focus on developmental milestones from conception to toddlerhood.

Fundamentals in Child Development Part II

Health, Safety & Wellbeing for Children

This course studies the overall health of children, including nutrition, safety, and well-being from conception to school age. Students will understand their role in supporting health and safety in early learning and care environments a well as how to support well-being through inclusive, positive relationships and emotionally supportive environments. Various positive child guidance strategies that support children’s sense of wellbeing and belonging will also be explored.

Legislation, Administration & Curriculum Frameworks

This course familiarizes students with legislation governing the early childhood education sector, including administrative policies and procedures, the professional responsibilities of an ECE, as well as the roles of each tier of government. Students will also study the interconnectedness of legislation and curriculum frameworks and how to apply this concept in early learning and care settings.

Math & Science for Young Children

This course will study the design of mathematically rich environments, including how to integrate math concepts into all aspects of play-based program planning. Measuring, sorting, categorizing, one-to-one correspondence, patterning, comparing/contrasting, constructing, as well as counting and 2D and 3D shape recognition activities that are developmentally appropriate and of interest to the child from 0 to 12 years will be discussed.

Music & Movement

This course will study the design of musically rich environments, including how to integrate music and movement concepts into all aspects of play-based program planning. Musical concepts such as melody, rhythm, and harmony will be explored as well as listening to music, creating music with voices and/or instruments, singing, dancing, and various other daily physical activities that are developmentally appropriate and of interest to the child from 0 to 12 years will be discussed.

Observation and Assessment

This course focuses on the utilization of various observation and assessment methods and tools for documenting children’s learning and developmental progression across all domains. Students will analyze how to gather, interpret, and apply observation and assessment data to program planning. Observation and assessment of individual children and groups of children will be discussed, including information sharing and referrals with families.

Prevention, Intervention and Reporting

This course will familiarize students with the legal and professional obligations of an Early Childhood Educator regarding child abuse, neglect, and domestic violence, with a focus on reporting procedures and working with families. Students will study prevention measures, intervention strategies as well as reporting policies and procedures in accordance with current legislation. Students will also focus on play therapies and child-focused interventions in the early learning setting.

Professional Development

This course will introduce the student to the concept of professional development. An emphasis will be on reflective practices, the role and responsibilities of the Early Childhood Educator, as well as the importance of plans for lifelong learning. Students will engage in self-reflection activities, practice strategies to remain current in their knowledge of the field, as well as how to maintain professional behaviours and relationships with children, families, colleagues, and the community. Within this course, students will complete their first aid and CPR training, in addition to their food safety training.

Professional Wellness

This course will focus on the wellness of the Early Childhood Educator. Occupational health and safety will be studied, as well as strategies to overcome stress across all domains of the professional (physical, emotional, social, cognitive). A holistic view to professional wellness will be explored with an emphasis on self-care strategies that include health and nutrition practices. The student will understand the importance of maintaining good health to be an effective educator of young children and a productive team member.

Positive Child Guidance

This course focuses on the role of the early childhood educator in guidance, discipline, and behaviour management. It highlights theories, models and skills related to promoting healthy social and emotional development at both the individual and group level.

Student Success Strategies

In this orientation module, emphasis is placed on thinking about achieving success from Day One. This module stresses the importance of developing non-technical skills to enhance personal, academic, and career success. This includes understanding learning styles and honing practical study skills, such as memory, reading, note-and test-taking techniques. Personal exercises will focus on teamwork, decision making and problem solving skills, setting SMART goals and maintaining a positive attitude; techniques for managing change, stress and conflict will also be explored.

Admission Requirements

Student has Grade 12 or equivalent or meets criteria for Mature Student Status.
Mature students must be 19 years of age, pass a qualifying test, and provide a Letter of Intent OR resume that supports their skills and aptitudes to be successful in the program.
The approved qualifying test for this program is the Wonderlic test. A passing score for this program is 14.
Student must provide a clear Criminal Record Check.
Student must provide a clear Vulnerable Sector Check.
Student must provide a complete standard Immunization Form.

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Instructor Quote

I highly recommend that students take our Early childhood Education Program because it's an accredited program that provides a profound understanding of children's mental, physical, social, cognitive, and emotional needs, preparing our students to create and implement inclusive programs which support children's overall development from infancy through school-age. Our transformative educational experience focuses on crucial subjects including educational philosophy, child development, curriculum design, effective communication, and family engagement. Our program also equips students with the skills to foster holistic growth in young learners and the hands-on experience with our 500-hour, 3 block field placement.

Mimi Saleh

Early Childhood Education Instructor

Frequently Asked Questions About Early Childhood Education

What is an ECE?

ECE stands for Early Childhood Educators and Early Childhood Education. Early Childhood Educators have a vital responsibility in nurturing children's development and learning. Their primary duty is to fully involve the child, enabling them to express their true selves and actively participate in their educational journey.

How to Become an Early Childhood Educator in New Brunswick?

You can become an early childhood educator by enrolling in a Early Childhood Education program. Students will need have a Grade 12 or equivalent, provide a clear Criminal Record Check, Vulnerable Sector Check and a complete standard Immunization Form. The Government of New Brunswick has also approved Eastern College’s Early Childhood Education program for international students, allowing skilled graduates to apply to permanently live and work in New Brunswick in key occupational areas.