Field placement is central to the learning experience. You will obtain over 500 field placement hours in a variety of Childcare and Early Years professional settings. These experiences will provide you with the opportunity to integrate classroom learning into practice with groups of children within the community.
Early Childhood Education (Accelerated) (ECYA)
About the Program
The ECYA program is an accelerated program specially designed for those who have completed an undergraduate degree. In the accelerated program, you are eligible to earn your Early Childhood Education diploma in 12 months.
In this three-semester diploma program, you will learn about the physical, cognitive, social and emotional needs of children. You will understand how to develop and implement inclusive programming in order to support the healthy development of children ranging in age from infancy to school-age.
Your studies 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 requirement for membership.
Part-time option is available >
Credential Awarded
Ontario College Diploma
Duration
3 Semesters (12 Months)
Starts
May
Program and Course Delivery
This program is offered in person. Students are required to come on campus to attend classes.
Skills
Throughout this program you will develop the following skills:
- Design healthy, safe, inclusive and engaging environments for children from infancy to school age.
- Plan and implement inclusive programming to support children’s development using current theories.
- Build positive relationships with children, families, colleagues and other professionals.
Work Experience
Field Placement
Your Career
As a graduate of this program, you 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
You 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)
Program of Study
| Course Code | Course Name | Weekly Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Semesters 1 & 2 | ||
| ECY100 | Child Development | 3 |
| ECY102 | Preschool Curriculum | 3 |
| ECY103 | Health, Safety and Nutrition | 2 |
| ECY104 | Exploring Diversity | 2 |
| ECY105 | Music and Creative Arts | 2 |
| EFP102 | Preschool Field Placement | 16 |
| Semester 3 | ||
| ECY200 | Infant and Toddler Development | 2 |
| ECY202 | Infant and Toddler Curriculum | 2 |
| ECY203 | Child, Family and Community | 3 |
| ECY204 | Interpersonal Communication | 2 |
| ECY205 | Philosophy of ECE | 2 |
| EFP202 | Infant and Toddler Field Placement | 13 |
| Semester 4 | ||
| ECY300 | Children with Exceptionalities | 3 |
| ECY302 | Inclusive Curriculum | 3 |
| ECY304 | Legislation and Social Policy in Professional Practice | 3 |
| ECY305 | School Age Curriculum | 3 |
| EFP302 | Community Placement | 13 |
| EFP305 | School Age Field Placement | 6 |
Program Learning Outcomes
This Seneca program has been validated by the Credential Validation Service as an Ontario College Credential as required by the Ministry of Colleges and Universities.
As a graduate, you will be prepared to reliably demonstrate the ability to:
- Design, implement and evaluate inclusive and play-based early learning curriculum and programs that support children’s holistic development and are responsive to individual children’s and groups of children’s observed abilities, interests and ideas.
- Establish and maintain inclusive early learning environments that support diverse, equitable and accessible developmental and learning opportunities for all children and their families.
- Select and use a variety of screening tools, observation and documentation strategies to review, support and promote children’s learning across the continuum of early childhood development.
- Establish and maintain responsive relationships with individual children, groups of children and families.
- Assess, develop and maintain safe, healthy and quality early learning environments which meet the requirements of current legislation, agency policies and evidence-based practices in early learning.
- Prepare and use professional written, verbal, nonverbal and electronic communications when working with children, families, colleagues, employers, and community partners.
- Identify, select and apply relevant legislation, regulations, College of Early Childhood Educators Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics, policies and evidence-based practice guidelines, and interpret their impact on a variety of early learning environments.
- Apply a developing personal philosophy of early learning in accordance with ethical and professional standards of early childhood education practice.
- Advocate for quality early learning environments and collaborate with members of the early learning team, families and community partners to establish and promote such settings.
- Engage in reflective practice, develop learning goals and maintain an ongoing professional development plan in accordance with evidence-based practices in early learning and related fields.
Admission Requirements
- Ontario university or college degree, or equivalent
Canadian citizens or permanent residents educated outside of Canada must provide a World Education Services (WES) or ICAS Canada credential evaluation.
Additional Information
Postsecondary English course equivalency can be demonstrated through the following:
- Completed postsecondary credential from an institution and country where English is the primary language spoken (Canada or one of the countries listed here)
To comply with the requirements of field placement organizations, you must have these documents prior to the start of the term. Documents must be valid for the duration of the placement semester:
-
Vulnerable Sector Police Record Check
-
Medical form: which includes current immunization and chest x-ray or tuberculin skin test reports
-
Standard First Aid and CPR-C
-
International students will need a valid Co-op Work permit.
To prepare for field placement students will receive an email invitation to attend an online Field Placement Orientation session. This session will provide you with helpful tips on how to complete these important documents.
If you are a current or recently accepted student and have questions about field placement documents, please email the field placement team.
Notes
If you are a high school applicant or have not previously completed a degree, please apply to the two-year Early Childhood Education (ECE) program.
Pathways
As a leader in academic pathways, we offer a range of options that will allow you to take your credential further in another Seneca program or a program at a partner institution.
To learn more about your eligibility, visit the Academic Pathways web page.