Early Childhood Education

ONTARIO COLLEGE DIPLOMA

There is a special pleasure to be had in helping young children grow and develop to their maximum potential. Sheridan’s Early Childhood Education (ECE) Diploma Program prepares students to work with children up to six years of age. Through unique partnerships with leading organizations in the early childhood education field, students at Sheridan have unequalled learning opportunities that will form the basis of rewarding and meaningful careers.

Develop knowledge and skills in the following important areas:

• Child development and best practices in early childhood
• The early childhood educator’s role and responsibilities
• The importance of play in children’s learning
• Curriculum design and implementation
• Human relations and human diversity
• Program models in early childhood
• The promotion of pro-social behaviour

Early Childhood Education graduates work in: municipal, private and non-profit child-care centres; nursery schools; junior kindergarten programs (as assistants); programs in recreation departments and public libraries; and before- and after-school programs. Graduates, upon gaining job experience and proving their abilities, may move to administrative positions or may also begin their own program or child-care centre.

As well as in-class academic and hands-on practical learning, gain extensive experience from placements in child-care centres, located either on campus or in the community.

COLLEGE OF EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATORS

As of February 14, 2009 membership in the College of Early Childhood Educators is required by the Early Childhood Educators Act, 2007 in order to use the title “Early Childhood Educator” or “Registered Early Childhood Educator (RECE).” Membership is also required for anyone who works within the scope of practice of early childhood education unless specifically exempted. To learn more about the College visit their website at http://www.collegofece.on.ca/

Curriculum

You must successfully complete the following 25 courses. The courses are listed in a recommended completion sequence, however, you may take the courses in any sequence as long as you meet the prerequisite requirements. Note: COMM19999 Essential Communication Skills must be completed before registering for other ECE courses.

SECTION A

(It is advisable to complete this section first.)

COMM19999	Essential Communication Skills*
COMM16117	Professional Relationship Skills
SOCI12029G	Understanding Families
EDUC16800	Learning Environment 1
EDUC11582	Play Experiences 1
EDUC15323	Child Development in the Preschool Years
EDUC12375	Observations in ECE
EDUC14648	Learning Environment 2
EDUC10065	Play Experiences 2
EDUC13764	Nutrition, Health and Safety
SOCS10023	Child Abuse
FLPL12205	Field Orientation**
FLPL14933	Field Seminar/Practice (ECE) (120 practice hours plus 15 seminar hours)*
CULT19815G	Living and Working in a Diverse Society
PLUS	One additional Approved General Education Elective

SECTION B

(It is advisable that you complete Section A before commencing Section B.)

EDUC23329	Infant and Toddler Development and Programming
EDUC23109	Children with Special Needs (ECE)
EDUC25436	High/Scope and Curriculum Models in Early Learning
EDUC25283	Promoting Pro-Social Behaviour
FLPL22487	Field Practice/Seminar 2 (ECE) (196 practice hours plus 15 seminar hours)
EDUC22629	Professional Practices
EDUC25372	Individual Programming
EDUC20705	School Age Child Care
FLPL24804	Field Seminar/Practice 3 (ECE) (126 practice hours plus 15 seminar hours)
PLUS	One additional Approved General Education Elective

Note: HUMN16693G Human Relations: The Interpersonal Experience is not eligilible as a General Education Elective for the Early Childhood Education - Ontario College Diploma Program.

*Prerequisite required - see course description.

**This field orientation course must be successfully completed the semester before registering for FLPL14933 Field Practicum and Seminar. If you have a successful Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) for FLPL14933 you must take FLPL12205 before registering for FLPL22487

Admission Requirements

Ontario Secondary School Diploma including Grade 12 English or equivalent or mature student status.

For course and program guidance, contact Program Coordinator Cathy Coulthard at cathy.coulthard@sheridaninstitute.ca or 905-845-9430, ext. 2674

Scheduled In-class Dates for Early Childhood Education Field Seminar/Practice Classes, FLPL14933, FLPL22487 and FLPL24804:

Fall 2010	Winter 2011	Spring 2011	Summer 2011
Wednesdays	Saturdays	Mondays	Wednesdays
Sept. 15, 22	January 15, 22	May 2	July 27
October 13	February 19	May 9, 30	August 3, 17, 31
November 10	March 26	June 20	September 7
December 15	April 16	July 18

Dates for FLPL12205 Field Orientation:

Fall 2010	Winter 2011	Spring 2011	Summer 2011
Wednesdays	Saturdays	Mondays	Wednesdays
September 8	January 29	May 16	July 20
and	and	and	and
October 20	February 26	June 13	August 24
OR	OR	OR
October 27	March 5	June 27
and	and	and
December 8	April 9	July 25