Early Childhood Education (Progress Campus)
How To Apply
Program Details
- Program Code1221
- SchoolSchool of Community and Health Studies
- CredentialOntario College Diploma
- Program TypePost-secondary program
- Program Length2 years/ 4 semesters
- LocationProgress Campus
- Emailcommunitystudiesprogress@centennialcollege.ca
- Telephone416-289-5000, ext. 52375
Program Availability
- Program Overview
- Courses
- Career Options and Education Pathways
- Admission Requirements
- How to Apply
- Tuition and Fees
- Program Vocational Learning Outcomes
- Faculty Bios
- Take this program at Ashtonbee Campus
- Student at a Glance
- Advising Services
- Indigenous Studies
You may also be interested in the Part-Time option or the Ashtonbee Campus option:
The Early Childhood Education program at Centennial College is committed to ensuring you're prepared to be a leader in the profession. With the program consistently receiving KPI distinction awards for Employer Satisfaction, our graduates are respected as professionals.
As a student in the Early Childhood Education program, you'll learn to provide high standards of care to children and their families. This highly regarded program will teach you to take responsibility for observing the needs of individual and groups of children, and create well-planned, stimulating and responsive programs. You'll come to understand the needs of infants, toddlers, pre-school and school-aged children.
Rich classroom experiences, with professors employing a variety of strategies, will offer you a range of opportunities to understand the content, practice and apply what you're learning. Supporting this program are Centennial College’s two state-of-the-art early childhood education centres. Used as lab schools, these centres, located in East York and at Progress Campus, will allow you to observe and/or practice in a high-quality childcare setting.
If you're energetic, fun loving, dedicated to your learning, and enjoy working with children and adults, this is the program for you.
Please note:
- This program is taught using a combination of modalities. Courses may be delivered face-to-face, online, or in a blended/hybrid combination of both online and traditional classroom teaching.
- This Early Childhood Education program is also offered at Ashtonbee Campus and is facilitated from Progress Campus in a winter intake with four consecutive semesters (no summer break) or in a part-time version.
Program Overview
You may also be interested in the Part-Time option or the Ashtonbee Campus option:
The Early Childhood Education program at Centennial College is committed to ensuring you're prepared to be a leader in the profession. With the program consistently receiving KPI distinction awards for Employer Satisfaction, our graduates are respected as professionals.
As a student in the Early Childhood Education program, you'll learn to provide high standards of care to children and their families. This highly regarded program will teach you to take responsibility for observing the needs of individual and groups of children, and create well-planned, stimulating and responsive programs. You'll come to understand the needs of infants, toddlers, pre-school and school-aged children.
Rich classroom experiences, with professors employing a variety of strategies, will offer you a range of opportunities to understand the content, practice and apply what you're learning. Supporting this program are Centennial College’s two state-of-the-art early childhood education centres. Used as lab schools, these centres, located in East York and at Progress Campus, will allow you to observe and/or practice in a high-quality childcare setting.
If you're energetic, fun loving, dedicated to your learning, and enjoy working with children and adults, this is the program for you.
Please note:
- This program is taught using a combination of modalities. Courses may be delivered face-to-face, online, or in a blended/hybrid combination of both online and traditional classroom teaching.
- This Early Childhood Education program is also offered at Ashtonbee Campus and is facilitated from Progress Campus in a winter intake with four consecutive semesters (no summer break) or in a part-time version.
Courses
Career Options and Education Pathways
Future Alumni
"Centennial First, Alumni Forever". Graduates of the Early Childhood Education program will become life time members of the Centennial College Alumni Association (ccaa.life/).
Companies Offering Jobs
As a graduate from the Early Childhood Education program you will be qualified to:
- Work with children and families in childcare centres;
- Work in full-day learning classrooms within the Boards of Education;
- Work with children and families in drop-in centres, shelters and community service programs;
- Opening your own home childcare in accordance with legislative requirements.
Program Highlights
- You'll experience practical experiential learning through three field placements in the community, working directly with infants or toddlers, pre-school and school-aged children.
- Qualified and experienced supervisors will support you during the field placement to ensure your learning is optimized.
- During the third or fourth semesters, opportunities will be available to work in full-day kindergarten environments.
- In semesters 3 and 4, a block placement will be incorporated to maximize your ability to solidify skills.
- This program is committed to respond to and reflect current trends and directions in the field and profession.
- Highly skilled faculty will create stimulating learning opportunities in the classroom that will address a range of learning styles.
Indigenous Studies: First Peoples in Canada Certificate
ECE students have the opportunity to obtain a concurrent Certificate in Indigenous Studies. For more information, visit www.centennialcollege.ca/about-centennial/schools/school-of-english-and-liberal-studies/specialized-academic-certificates/indigenous-knowledges-first-peoples-in-canada-certificate/
Global Citizenship and Equity Portfolio
You'll develop a portfolio documenting your engagement with the College’s signature Global Citizenship and Equity competencies. For more information, please visit www.centennialcollege.ca/citizenshipandequity.
The Leadership Passport
The Leadership Passport will provide you with opportunities to practice and develop leadership skills through predetermined criteria and to earn a special designation on your Early Childhood Education diploma.
Graduates have demonstrated the ability to:
- Plan, implement and evaluate curriculum founded on a thorough understanding of child development that's responsive to the developmental needs of children;
- Utilize a variety of observation techniques to enhance work with children, families and co-workers;
- Maintain responsive relationships with children;
- Develop and maintain effective communication with children, families, co-workers, employers and individuals/agencies;
- Apply relevant legislation to early childhood education programs;
- Apply personal philosophy of early childhood education;
- Provide a rationale for practice;
- Demonstrate professionalism in all areas of performance;
- Advocate for quality childcare.
Career Outlook
- Early Childhood Educator
- Registered Early Childhood Educator
- Designated Early Childhood Educator
Education Pathways
Graduates of this Early Childhood Education diploma program have the opportunity to apply learning achieved at Centennial for credits toward further study at the degree level. Listed below are the pathways with partnering institutions that are available for this program.
Please note that each partner has minimum admission requirements to be met in order to qualify for transfer credits, which are assessed by the partner institution.
| University | Degree |
|---|---|
| Algoma University | Bachelor or Honours Bachelor of Arts - Psychology or Sociology |
| Bachelor or Honours Bachelor of Arts in multiple majors | |
| Bachelor or Honours Bachelor of Science in multiple majors | |
| Algonquin College | Early Childhood Education Diploma |
| Honours Bachelor of Early Learning and Community Development | |
| Athabasca University | Bachelor of Professional Arts in Human Services |
| Brock University | Honours Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education |
| Conestoga College | Honours Bachelor of Early Learning Program Development |
| George Brown College | Honours Bachelor of Early Childhood Leadership |
| Guelph, University of | Bachelor of Applied Science with major in Child Studies |
| Guelph-Humber, University of | Honours Bachelor of Applied Science - Early Childhood Studies |
| Lakehead University | Concurrent B.Ed. with Honours degree |
| Laurentian University | Bachelor or Honours Bachelor of Arts in Psychology |
| Bachelor or Honours Bachelor of Arts in multiple majors | |
| Munster Technological University | Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education and Care |
| Nipissing University | Honours Bachelor of Social Work |
| Bachelor of Arts with Major or Honours Specialization in Sociology | |
| Bachelor of Arts with Major or Honours Specialization in Child and Family Studies | |
| Bachelor or Honours Bachelor of Arts in Multiple Majors | |
| Ontario Tech University | Honours Bachelor of Arts in Educational Studies |
| Ottawa, University of | Honurs Bachelor of Commerce |
| Seneca Polytechnic | Honours Bachelor of Child Development |
| Honours Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies | |
| Sheridan College | Honours Bachelor of Early Childhood Leadership |
| Sudbury, University of | Bachelor of Arts - Folklore et ethnologie (French language program) |
| Toronto Metropolitan University | Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Studies |
| Bachelor of Arts in Disability Studies | |
| Bachelor of Health Administration degree completion | |
| Trent University | Honours Bachelor of Arts in Child and Youth Studies |
| Wilfrid Laurier University | Honours Bachelor of Arts in Any major |
| Windsor, University of | Bachelor or Honours Bachelor of Arts in multiple majors |
| Honours Bachelor of Social Work | |
| Honours Bachelor of Arts in Disability Studies for CAAT Graduate | |
| Bachelor of Arts, LIberal Arts and Professional Studies | |
| York University | Bachelor or Honours Bachelor of Arts in multiple majors |
| Honours Bachelor of Health Studies | |
| Honours Bachelor of Public Administration | |
| Bachelor of Social Science in multiple majors |
Please visit our website at //centennial.adv-pub.moveonca.com/outgoing-home/ for more information on articulation agreements.
For pathways to other Ontario post-secondary institutions, please visit ONTransfer.
Educational Partners
Please see the Articulation Agreement section. Please note that each pathway has a specific minimum grade requirement in order to qualify for transferring credits, which are assessed by the partner institution.
Professional Associations
All graduates of the Early Childhood Education program are required to apply to practice in the province of Ontario with their professional regulatory body, the College of Early Childhood Educators. (www.college-ece.ca/en/About-Us/Purpose-and-Mandate)
The College of Early Childhood Educators (College) regulates and governs Ontario's Registered Early Childhood Educators (RECEs) in the public interest.
The College was established under the Early Childhood Educators Act, 2007 (ECE Act), and came into existence in February 2009.
With more than 53,000 members in good standing, the College is one of the largest professional self-regulatory bodies in Ontario and is the only professional self-regulatory body for early childhood education in Canada.
The College regulates the profession of early childhood education by establishing and enforcing:
- Registration requirements;
- Ethical and professional standards for RECEs;
- Requirements for continuous professional learning; and
- Complaints and discipline process for professional misconduct, incompetence and incapacity.
AECEO
The Association of Early Childhood Educators Ontario (AECEO) is your professional association. Membership supports a strong, united voice for ECEs in our province. (www.aeceo.ca/)
OCBCC
The OCBCC is Ontario’s central advocacy group for a universal early childhood education and care system. Formed in 1981, the OCBCC is a member organization comprising local child care centres, national and provincial groups and individuals from all across Ontario (www.childcareontario.org/)
Placement Partners
The Early Childhood Education Program has a number of Placement Partnerships which include:
- Toronto Children's Services
- YMCA, Early Learning and Care Programs
- Toronto District School Board
- York District School Board
- Durham District School Board
- Catholic District School Boards
- Community Based Child Care Centres
Further Education
To further your studies, you may attend Centennial College’s post-diploma program Early Childhood Resource Consultant (Special Needs).
Qualified graduates may also be eligible to participate in an articulated program with select universities. These partnerships will allow you to apply academic credit towards further study.
For a list of pathways with partner institutions, please refer to to the Articulation Agreements section.
Areas of Employment
Graduate employment, graduate and employer satisfaction have all consistently remained above 80 percent for several years, earning Key Program Indicator distinction awards for the Early Childhood Education program.
Among the areas of employment in which you will be able to launch a career are:
- Community based Childcare centres
- Full-day learning classrooms within the Board of Education
- Drop-in centres, shelters, and community service programs
- EarlyON Centres
- Operating your own home childcare centre in accordance with legislative requirements
Admission Requirements
Academic Requirements
- Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD), or equivalent, or mature student status (19 years or older)
- Grade 12 English (C or U), or equivalent (minimum grade required), or take a Centennial English Admission Test
Additional Requirements
Prior to beginning each Field Placement, students are required to:
- Obtain a clear police check with vulnerable sector
- Provide valid First Aid and CPR certificates before the beginning of the second semester
- Provide a clear medical report including a TB test
Safety Requirements
See the Important Link section "Student at a Glance" for an understanding of the Safety Requirements for a student in the Early Childhood Education program.
Semester Requirements
A minimum C Grade is required in all ECEP courses as well as COMM-160/161.
Disability Considerations
The Centre for Accessible Learning and Counselling Services (CALCS) provides a range of programs and services aimed to empower students in meeting their wellness goals, accommodation and disability-related needs, and creating a more accessible campus community. Please see the following link for more information. (//www.centennialcollege.ca/student-life/student-services/centre-for-accessible-learning-and-counselling-services/)
Field Placement Requirements
After admission, prior to beginning each Field Placement, students are required to:
- Obtain a clear police check with vulnerable sector screening
- Provide valid first aid and CPR certificates before the beginning of second semester
- Provide a clear medical report, including a TB test
How to Apply
Please see information regarding the Application process on the OCAS website. (www.ontariocolleges.ca/en)
Tuition and Fees
Fees noted below are estimates only. Tuition is based on two semesters, beginning Fall 2024.
| Student | Tuition (2 Semesters) | Ancillary Fees | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canadian | $2,721.00 | $1,187.34 | $3,908.34 |
| International | $16,649.00 | $1,675.52 | $18,324.52 |
Program Vocational Learning Outcomes
Program Vocational Learning Outcomes
Program Vocational Learning Outcomes describe what graduates of the program have demonstrated they can do with the knowledge and skills they have achieved during their studies. The outcomes are closely tied to the needs of the workplace. Through assessment (e.g., assignments and tests), students verify their ability to reliably perform these outcomes before graduating.
- Create learning contexts to enable, build, and maintain caring, responsive relationships in partnerships with children, families, and communities that value and respect social, cultural, and linguistic diversity, including Indigenous peoples' worldviews and Francophone identity.
- Co-create, facilitate, and reflect upon inquiry and play-based early years and child care programs and pedagogical approaches to support children's learning, holistic development, and well-being following children's capabilities, interests, ideas, and experiences.
- Co-design and maintain inclusive early learning environments to value and support equitable, accessible, and meaningful learning opportunities for all children, their families, and communities in a range of early years and child care settings.
- Collaborate with children, families, colleagues, agencies, and community partners to create, maintain, evaluate, and promote safe and healthy early learning environments to support independence, reasonable risk-taking, and healthy development and well-being.
- Use observation strategies to identify children's strengths and challenges and to ascertain when children and families might benefit from additional support or community resources.
- Use professional communication in interactions with children, families, colleagues, employers, the regulatory body, government authorities, and children's service agencies to meet legal and ethical standards of the early years sector.
- Act in accordance with relevant legislation, regulations, College of Early Childhood Educators Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice, agency policies and procedures, and principles of evidence-informed practice and reflect upon their impact on one's own role in early years and child care settings.
- Identify, report, and document when a child is in a situation of perceived risk for, or actual neglect or abuse, in accordance with legislation, the College of Early Childhood Educators Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice, policies, and procedures.
- Create and engage in partnerships with families, communities, colleagues, interdisciplinary professionals, authorities, and child service agencies to advocate for quality early years and child care programs and services.
- Engage in reflective practice and continuous professional learning in accordance with principles of lifelong learning, evidence-informed practices in the early years sector, and requirements of the College of Early Childhood Educators.
- Engage with Indigenous children, families, and communities to co-create, implement, and evaluate Indigenous early years and child care and child and family programs and environments that are culturally sensitive and culturally relevant to the communities they serve.
- Create innovative and responsive caregiving environments that acknowledge the contextual traditions of the child, family, and community.
Faculty Bios
Faculty Bios
Marah G. Echavez
Marah Echavez is a professor in the Early Childhood Education program at Centennial College and a Registered Early Childhood Educator. She completed her Bachelor of Education in Adult Education at Brock University and is a graduate of the Early Childhood Education program at Centennial College. Prior to teaching, she worked at Centennial College Progress Campus Childcare Centre Lab as an Early Childhood Educator. She began her teaching career in both the Full-time and Continuing Education ECE programs. She strives to create an environment that promotes transformative learning through discussion, practice and mentoring.
Lynn Haines
Lynn Haines is a Registered Early Childhood Educator and a Certified Member of the AECEO. She celebrates over forty years in the field of Early Childhood Education currently as a Professor/Coordinator in the ECE Diploma Program at Centennial College and previously beginning her career working as an RECE/ Director for Friends Child Care Centre in Toronto. As an ECE graduate from Centennial College through our part-time studies model she understands the energy it takes to raise a family, have a job and study. Lynn also attended Brock University to study in Adult Education, and this learning provided the balance of education she uses in her teaching in Centennial's Early Childhood Program. Two main areas of study that Lynn shares with students are courses relating to Understanding and Communicating with Families and Advocacy as a Global Citizen. Caring for the well being of others has been a major part of Lynn's life path. Providing support is what she truly believes brings communities of people together. Her Personal Continuous Learning has been to become a Certified Trainer in Mental Health First-Aid and to work at making a difference. Lynn believes that we have the responsibility to move our Early Childhood Education Profession forward and to model goals through mentoring and leadership, while exploring new pathways for change.
Dwayne Locke
Dwayne Locke is a professor in the Early Childhood Education Program, a graduate from Ryerson University and George Brown College. Dwayne is also registered with the College of Early Childhood Education. He began his career with the City of Toronto and brings a wealth of experience to the Early Childhood Education Program, with many years serving families as a family counsellor and a child advocate supporting families at risk. Dwayne's areas of interest and involvement include helping first generation students realize their goals to graduate from college through Helping Youth Pursue Education (HYPE), and the role of internationalization, particularly in the field of early childhood education. As such, Dwayne was fortunate to lead two cohorts to Ghana, Africa as a part of Centennial College signature learning experience. Dwayne currently teaches a number of courses, including Curriculum, Child Development, Understanding and Communicating with Families and Child Abuse.
Lisa McCaie
Lisa McCaie is a full-time professor, teaching Early Childhood Education at Progress Campus. She is a Centennial College graduate, having earned an Early Childhood Education diploma and a Resource Consultant postgraduate diploma. She also holds a Centennial College Adult Education certificate and a Bachelor of Education in Adult Education from Brock University. Lisa has worked for a variety of child care centres and settings with the City of Toronto Children's Services as an Early Childhood Educator and as a Resource Educator. As a registered Early Childhood Educator, Lisa shares her passion for children, their families and for the field of Early Childhood Education with her students. Lisa believes that the best learning happens when students are interested, engaged, challenged and supported.
Angela Provo
Angela Provo has spent over 30 years in the field of Early Childhood Education, and believes that relationships that are nurtured from the beginning and challenged along the way flourish successfully. As a graduate of Centennial College – Early Childhood Education Program and Acadia University – Recreation Management, this has been her approach both as a frontline educator in a variety of community service environments and in her many classes at Centennial College. When students enter Post-Secondary Education, they all come with the dream and desire to be successful in their chosen vocation, and she believes it is the responsibility of Faculty to keep that dream and desire alive. As a Professor/Coordinator building reciprical relationships with her students has been birthed through mutual respect, opportunities to critically think and the self-discovery and development of personal potential.
Jenny Quianzon
Jenny Quianzon was inspired to become the best parent possible, with this in mind she enrolled in the Early Childhood Education program at Centennial College. During her time in the program, Jenny realized that she truly had a passion for this type of work, and decided to continue her studies at Ryerson University, earning a BA in Early Childhood Education. She then completed the Teacher of Adults training in the evenings, while working full time. While teaching in the Program part time, she worked in the community for a number of different non-profit organizations, including Centennial College Progress Child Care Centre, the Ontario Early Years Centre (OEYC), YWCA Toronto-Beatrice House and Agincourt Community Services Association. She brings her varied experiences working with children and families into the classroom and enjoys helping students reach their full potential. Jenny began teaching in the Early Childhood Education program at Centennial College 14 years ago, and joined the team as a full time Professor in 2011.
Melinda Truong
Melinda Truong is a professor in the Early Childhood Education program at Centennial College who has endevoured to continuously stay connected to the field of Early Education. A graduate of Seneca College, Melinda has worked in the Field for 16+ years in a variety of early learning settings. While working, she furthered her studies, part-time at Ryerson University, where she completed her Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Education. Melinda continued her education at Medaille College, in Buffalo, New York and received her Masters of Science in Elementary Education. Melinda brings every professional life experiences with her into the classroom in an effort to prepare and enrich the learning experiences of her students.
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