Early Childhood Education

Early Childhood Educators (ECEs) have a lasting, positive impact on the development of children, and provide an essential support for families, communities, and society.

Early literacy and numeracy, socialization, indoor and outdoor physical activities, and creative experience in art, music, movement, and dramatic play, are some of the areas in which students will acquire knowledge and skills to support and encourage children's development. 

Students will have the opportunity to apply their learning on field placements, with different age groups in a variety of child care settings.

The usual work environment for ECEs involves daily indoor and outdoor activity. Being in good health and having, energy, patience, physical stamina, good communication and interpersonal skills are assets that will help students in this profession.  

Entrance Requirments

High School

Provincial High School Graduation Certificate with a 60% average in eight level 3000 credits or equivalent

Comprehensive Arts and Science (CAS) Transition

Comprehensive Arts and Science Transition Certificate

Adult Basic Education (ABE)

Adult Basic Education (Level III) Graduation with General College Profile (or Business-Related College Profile or Degree and Technical Profile) with an average pass mark of 60%

Mature Student Requirements

Applicants who do not meet the education prerequisites for this program, are 19 years at the time of application and out of school for at least one year may be considered on an individual basis under the Mature Student Requirements; for more information regarding the Mature Student Requirements please refer to Procedure AC-102-PR Admission.

Eligibility for direct admission to Year 2 of the Early Childhood Education diploma program requires the applicant to meet the following academic criteria:

Have already graduated from the current CNA Early Childhood Education Certificate program (or equivalent)
OR
Graduated prior to the current CNA Early Childhood Education Certificate program (or equivalent) and holds minimally a current Level I Child Care Services (CCS) Certification through the Association of Early Childhood Educators of Newfoundland and Labrador (AECENL) for preschool and school-age children.

International Applicants – English Proficiency
All international applicants must meet the College’s English language proficiency requirements for acceptance into regular programs.

The College will accept these recognized tests of English language proficiency (TOEFL paper based 550, TOEFL Internet based 79, TOEFL computer based 213 or equivalent, IELTS Academic Test overall band score of 6.0, or Pearson PTE 53 or greater, etc.).

If a language proficiency test other than those referenced above was used, applicants can forward for assessment.

If an international applicant has attended an educational institution (high school or post-secondary) for a period of three years or more where the official language of instruction was English, the English language proficiency test will not be required.

Note: Some programs may require specific English language requirements and proficiency scores that differ from those stated above; therefore international applicants are advised to please refer to the specific program admission requirements as identified in the College Calendar.AND

Early Childhood Education (ECE)

Documentation Required:

• Certified Criminal Records Check (issued by RCMP) or Criminal Records Screening Certificate (issued by RNC)
• Certified Vulnerable Sector Records Check (issued by RCMP/RNC)
• Current Record of Immunization or Statement of Immunization

Please note: The certified Criminal Records Check (issued by RCMP) or Criminal Records Screening Certificate (issued by RNC), Vulnerable Sector Records Check (issued by RCMP/RNC), and the current Record of Immunization or Statement of Immunization must be submitted to the College prior to online registration. Further information on obtaining ECE program documentation may be found HERE.
 
The certified Criminal Records Check or Criminal Records Screening Certificate and the Vulnerable Sector Records Check:

• Must be dated no more than three months prior to the first scheduled day of classes for the program;
• Is valid for a period of three years unless the student is absent from the program for six months or more.

 To be employed in the field of early childhood education and to successfully fulfill field placement requirements, students must be able to lift and move children, materials and equipment (up to 50 pounds) on a consistent basis.

As well, physical effort, strength and endurance is required in the supervision and care of children, e.g., maintaining balance, kneeling and bending, pushing and pulling strollers and carts, and moving quickly to assist children in emergency situations.

Early Childhood Education - Diploma

Students in the two-year diploma program support children's learning, and their development in all areas: physical, social, emotional, cognitive, and language development.

In addition, students learn how to develop, maintain, and evaluate a child care program based on best practices, and support the inclusion of all children, in programming.

Students are introduced to the administrative skills necessary to manage a child care service. With relevant work experience, a diploma graduate will be qualified to become the Administrator of a licensed child care centre.

There is a direct link between the level of education an ECE has and the quality of education and care that is provided to children.

The Early Childhood Education diploma program is an important step on the career ladder (certificate, diploma, advanced diploma, degree) to increasing qualifications as an ECE.

Diploma graduates are eligible for Level II Child Care Services Certification in infant, preschool and school-age care, working with children ages 0-12.

Objectives

Upon successful completion of the diploma program, graduates will be able to:

• Support and promote the overall development of children aged birth to 12 years.
• Develop and maintain developmentally appropriate programs, and indoor and outdoor environments that reflect best practices.
• Explain variations in the developmental abilities of children aged birth to 12 years.
• Maintain caring and responsive relationships with the children in their care.
• Carry out effective and positive behaviour guidance, and discuss challenging behaviour.
• Create and implement a philosophy statement, and develop programs and policies based on the philosophy.
• Support staff in the delivery of programs, policies and guidelines.
• Set up and maintain an environment that supports diversity and inclusion.
• Observe, document and evaluate program delivery, child development, and adult/child interactions.
• Discuss and illustrate the principles of early learning.
• Demonstrate professional behaviour, reflective practice, and effective relationships with children, families, staff, and the community.
• Apply provincial child care legislation, standards and policies, and all other applicable legislative and regulatory requirements.

Field Placement

Students complete four field placements during the diploma program, two in year 1 and two in year 2. All students have the opportunity to apply their learning with different age groups in a variety of approved early learning and child care settings. For those students attending the Corner Brook and Prince Phillip Drive campuses, field Placements include time spent at the College's onsite demonstration child care centre.  Please Note: Students work with the ECE faculty to determine approved field placement sites.

Prior to the start of a field placement, students must submit to Student Services a current copy of at least an emergency level (one day) diploma/certificate in first aid and CPR dealing with children. A list of approved first aid training providers can be found on the Workplace NL website.

Future Oppurtunities

Graduates of the diploma program will be prepared for employment with organizations providing early learning and child care, or self-employment in the child care field.

With relevant work experience, graduates will be able to develop programs for and/or supervise in child care services in communities throughout the province.

The graduate is awarded a diploma of Applied Arts in Early Childhood Education from the College.

This parchment indicates successful completion of two years of post-secondary education, combining theory and practical experience in the care, education, and guidance of children, as well as best practices in developmentally appropriate programming and environments.

Completion of this program is one of the steps towards provincial Child Care Services (CCS) Certification granted through the Association of Early Childhood Educators of Newfoundland and Labrador (AECENL).

Currently, the Early Childhood Education diploma is equivalent to a Level II CCS Certification for infant, preschool and school-age children.

Please note: Students who successfully complete EE2040 - Family Child Care will also receive a provincial CCS Certification in family home.

Early Childhood Education - Certificate

Students in the one-year certificate program support children's learning, and their development in all areas: physical, social, emotional, cognitive, and language development.

The Early Childhood Education certificate program is the first step in becoming a qualified ECE.

Certificate graduates will be eligible for Level I Child Care Services Certification in preschool and school-age care (working with children ages 18 months-12 years).

The one-year certificate is also the same as the first year of the Early Childhood Education diploma program.

Objectives

Upon successful completion of the certificate program, graduates will be able to:

• Support and promote the overall development of children aged 18 months to 12 years.
• Develop and maintain developmentally appropriate programs, and indoor and outdoor environments that reflect best practices.
• Explain variations in the developmental abilities of children aged 18 months to 12 years.
• Maintain caring and responsive relationships with the children in their care.
• Carry out effective and positive behaviour guidance, and discuss challenging behaviour.
• Demonstrate professional behaviour and reflective practice in interactions with children, families and the community.
• Identify and outline provincial child care legislation, standards and policies.

Field Placement

Students complete two field placements during the certificate program, one in Semester 1 and one in Semester 2.

All students have the opportunity to apply their learning with different age groups in a variety of approved early learning and child care settings.

For those students attending the Corner Brook and Prince Phillip Drive campuses, field Placements include time spent at the College's onsite demonstration child care centre. Please Note: Students work with the ECE faculty to determine approved field placement sites.

Prior to the start of a field placement, students must submit to Student Services, a current copy of at least an emergency level (one day) diploma/certificate in first aid and CPR dealing with children.

A list of approved first aid training providers can be found on the Workplace NL website.

Future Oppurtunities

Graduates of the certificate program will be prepared for employment with organizations providing early learning & child care, or self-employment in the child care field.

Certification

The graduate is awarded a certificate of Applied Arts in Early Childhood Education from the College.

This parchment indicates successful completion of one year of post-secondary education, combining theory and practical experience in the care, education, and guidance of children.

This program is one of the steps towards provincial Child Care Services (CCS) Certification granted through the Association of Early Childhood Educators of Newfoundland and Labrador (AECENL).

Currently, the Early Childhood Education certificate is equivalent to a Level I CCS Certification for preschool and school-age children.

There’s a world of possibilities in the Early Childhood Education sector! With a variety of dynamic roles and settings to choose from, you will inspire and nurture young minds during their most formative time, while gaining certification in early-learning environments and growing your career along the way.