College Diploma - Early Childhood Education (Accelerated) (ECYA)

This is an accelerated version of the Early Childhood Education program. Prior education is required to take advantage of this accelerated program option. Those without prior education can explore the standard Early Childhood Education (ECE) program.

In this three-semester diploma program, students will learn about the physical, cognitive, social, and emotional needs of children. They will gain an understanding of how to develop and implement inclusive programming to support the healthy development of children ranging from infancy to school age.

The curriculum will include courses in child development, curriculum, philosophy of education, communication, working with families, and administration.

To practice in Ontario as a Registered Early Childhood Educator (RECE), graduates must apply for registration with the College of Early Childhood Educators (CECE). Graduates of this program will meet the educational requirements for membership.

As a graduate of this program, students may pursue future career options within:

• Child care centres
• Family resource programs
• Settlement centres
• EarlyON centres
• After-school programs
• Nursery schools
• Parent co-operative centres
• Private home child care
• Centres for children with special needs
• Kindergarten in the elementary school system
• Affiliations and Associations

Students will also have the opportunity to join the following affiliations:

• Association of Early Childhood Educators Ontario (AECEO)
• The Canadian Association for Young Children (CAYC)
• Canadian Child Care Federation (CCCF) 
• National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)
• The College of Early Childhood Educators (CECE)