Early Childhood Education (ECE)
Campus
Duration
4 Semesters (2 Years)
Credential Awarded
Ontario College Diploma
School
School of Early Childhood Education
This program is offered in person. Students are required to come on campus to attend classes.
Learn more about Seneca’s program delivery options.
About the Program
In this four-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.
Each week you will spend three days in class and two days practicing your skills in field placement. If you choose to study in the summer, you will have the option to earn your Early Childhood Education (ECE) diploma in 16 months.
As a graduate of this program who meets GPA requirements, you are eligible to pursue internal pathway opportunities at Seneca, including the Honours Bachelor of Child Development and Honours Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies.
Part-time option is available >
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
Field placement is central to the learning experience, so you will be placed in the field for two days each week during each semester. Field placement provides the opportunity to integrate classroom learning into practice with groups of children in the community.
Your Career
When you graduate from this program, these are the types of employers waiting for you:
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Child care centres
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Family resource programs
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Settlement centres
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EarlyON centres
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After-school programs
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Nursery schools
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Parent co-operative centres
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Private home child care
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Centres for children with special needs
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Kindergarten in the elementary school system
Affiliations/Associations
Upon graduation you will qualify to join the following affiliations and associations:
- 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)
Bursary/Grant Announcements
May 2023 and September 2023
All full-time domestic ECE students who are enrolled in the program in May 2023 and September 2023 are eligible to receive tuition bursaries of up to $2000 per semester.
This opportunity is funded through one of two partnership agreements outlined below. An email will be sent to eligible students with instructions on how to receive the bursary. Please contact your Program Co-ordinator if you have any questions.
This opportunity is funded in partnership with the regional municipality of York (York Region), the Province of Ontario and Government of Canada under the new Canada–Ontario Early Childhood Workforce Agreement, which provides “one-time federal funding to support the retention and recruitment of a high-quality childcare and early years workforce.”
This opportunity is also funded in partnership with the City of Toronto, the region of Peel, the region of Durham, the region of Halton, the Province of Ontario and Government of Canada under the new Canada–Ontario Early Childhood Workforce Agreement.
