Early Childhood Education

*Domestic applicants include Canadian citizens, permanent residents, protected persons and Convention refugees.
Does shaping and nurturing young minds of the future while enjoying a satisfying, in-demand career interest you? Fanshawe’s Early Childhood Education program will give you the skills and the hands-on experience to get you on your way.
Our unique program blends theory and coursework with real experience in the field. You’ll develop knowledge and professional skills in child development with the assistance of our diverse courses and learn about the valuable and specialized role you play in the community.
Graduates from this program will gain diverse and dynamic skills for the evolving world of childhood education. You’ll be qualified to work in a range of jobs including child care centres, early learning and family centres, before and after school programs and with school boards.
This two-year Ontario College Diploma program will develop students' knowledge and professional skills in the early childhood educator's role and responsibilities. Your work placement will expose you to a wide variety of age groups and multiple organizations. You’ll have had dynamic and eclectic experiences that will make you more valuable to the field of Early Childhood Education
This program is offered at more than one campus and fully online for your convenience. Learn more about the programs and services of Fanshawe’s campuses in Clinton, St. Thomas and Woodstock. Not sure if you're ready for online learning? Take Fanshawe's online learning readiness test to see if getting a diploma online is for you.
This program is also available part-time.
Graduates of Fanshawe’s Early Childhood Education program will have the knowledge and skills to work with children, families and the community in the context of early learning and development programs for children from birth to 12 years of age. Graduates will be prepared to find employment in a variety of early childhood settings, including:
Did you know Fanshawe consistently ranks high in graduation employment rates among large colleges in Ontario?
Here are some examples of career opportunities for graduates of Fanshawe’s Early Childhood Education (Fast Track) (Weekend) program:
Early Childhood Educator
Deliver enthusiastic and passionate support working with children aged 3 months to four years in a child care centre.
Early Childhood Education Centre Supervisor
Recruit, supervise, mentor and motivate staff to develop and deliver quality curriculum in a classroom setting.
Early Childhood Educator
Plan and implement a child care program while building relationships with families, children and community agencies
The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:
Janet Foster
Kim Woods
Sheila Bedford, RECE
Klaske Rheubottom
Heather MacKenzie-Card
Test | Score |
---|---|
TOEFL iBT | 79 |
IELTS Academic | Overall score of 6.0 with no score less than 5.5 in any of the four bands |
CAEL | Overall score of 60 with no score less than 50 in any of the four bands. score of 80 in listening |
PTE Academic | 53 |
Cambridge English | Overall score of 169 with no language skill less than 162 |
ESL4/GAP5 | Minimum grade of 80% in Level 8, 75% in Level 9, or 70% in Level 10 |
Duolingo | Overall score of 105, with no score lower than 85 |
The following items are applicable to the program and are time sensitive. Please refer to www.fanshawec.ca/preplacement for important information about preparing for placement by the due date.
Level 1 | ||||
Gen Ed - Take a 3 credit General Education elective course. | ||||
Take all of the following Mandatory Courses: | ||||
WRIT-1094 | Reason & Writing 1 for Community Studies | 3 | ||
This course will introduce Community Studies students to essential principles of reading, writing, and reasoning at the postsecondary level. Students will identify, summarize, analyze, and evaluate multiple short readings and write persuasive response essays to develop their vocabulary, comprehension, grammar, and critical thinking. | ||||
ECED-1084 | Foundations of ECE | 3 | ||
This course provides an introduction to the foundations and principles of early childhood education. It identifies the importance of a play based pedagogical approach to 'How Does Learning Happen?' Students will examine the role of the Early Childhood Educator in maintaining an inclusive, child centered and developmentally appropriate practice. | ||||
ECED-1003 | Emotional Development & Early Relations | 3 | ||
This course provides the opportunity to analyze the role of the educator in building supportive relationships that respond with sensitivity and respect to all children, enhance emotional and social development, and guide children's behaviour in ways which facilitate self esteem and self-control. | ||||
ECED-1074 | Child Development: Intro | 3 | ||
In this course students will investigate foundational child development theorists and their linkage to practice and pedagogy in early care and education systems. A continuum-based approach within the context of early year's programs, will be explored. Students will have opportunities to examine the structure and function of the brain, as well as consider the role that both heredity and environment play in the developing child. Current research, that informs policy in the early year's field, will additionally be analyzed. | ||||
PSYC-1101 | Interpersonal Development | 3 | ||
This course will introduce the concepts of bias-free values and multiple perspectives of diversity as foundations for effective interpersonal relationships. In this course, students will assess personal values and Professional disposition which influence attitudes towards and relationships with, children, families and colleagues. Sensitive, effective and supportive communication methods will be identified and practiced within the classroom setting. Both verbal and non-verbal communication skills and attitudes required for collaborative professional interactions will be emphasized throughout. | ||||
FLDP-1021 | Field Orientation | 2.4 | ||
Students will be introduced to the profession of Early Childhood Education. The class content will support the student in understanding the importance of building relationships with children, principles of practice, value of learning through play and being an ECE professional. The students will visit a child care agency and work with a Mentor to be oriented into the Field Practicum experience. Professional attitudes and behaviours are expected at an introductory level. |
*Total program costs are approximate, subject to change and do not include the health and dental plan fee, bus pass fee or program general expenses.