Quick links
Download our Mobile app
Icon for Apple. App Store Icon for Android. Google Play
Register Now For Fall
Connect with Us

Early Childhood Education - Resource Consulting (One-Year Ontario College Graduate Certificate)

Three children sitting together smiling
Credential:
Ontario College Graduate Certificate
Code:
ECRC

Ontario College Graduate Certificate

Program Description

This program provides Registered Early Childhood Educators with specialist knowledge and skills to work as Resource Consultants for children living with special needs and with families. Graduates work in a variety of early learning settings including licensed childcare centres and home-based child care agencies; family support programs; infant and child development and specialized early learning programs. Graduates support inclusive early learning environments and lead others in the analysis, creation and implementation of family-centered policies and practices that support a philosophy of inclusion.

Graduates collaborate with early childhood professionals, community partners and families to identify, respond to and support the diverse abilities and interests of all children. Graduates develop, review and update family-centered individualized Family Service Plans (FSP) that support access to early learning programs and services, meaningful participation in these programs, optimal development and learning, and successful transitions in daily life and to new learning environments.

Graduates provide leadership through consultation, service co-ordination, case management and referral services for children living with special needs and for their families. Applying principles of adult training/education theory and practice, graduates develop and deliver strength-based training and professional development activities to families, agency/childcare centre staff and community service providers. As members of the College of Early Childhood Educators, graduates act in accordance with the Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice (College of Early Childhood Educators, 2017).

Admission Requirements

  • Early Childhood Education Diploma and transcript from an Ontario College OR an Early Childhood Education Diploma and transcript recognized by the College of Early Childhood Educators OR a copy of your College of Early Childhood Educators registration card.
  • Documentation stating previous experience (minimum 105 hours) with children who are developmentally delayed, as defined by the Child Care and Early Years Act (CCEYA). This experience can have occurred in a supervised field placement during the applicant's early childhood education training, through volunteer work or work experience following graduation.
  • Documentation stating one post-diploma year working as an Early Childhood Educator (ECE) in a licensed daycare centre.
  • You must maintain an overall average of 60% or a GPA of 2.0 in order to graduate
  • A minimum of 25% of courses must be completed through Durham College.

Program Admission

Note: Please do not send official transcripts by mail or fax. An electronic copy of your transcript can be emailed to us at ppladmissions@durhamcollege.ca with your program admission form.

Students are required to complete and submit this form to indicate that the program's admission requirements have been met.

Click to access the Program Admission Form

This form must be submitted and an Admission Acceptance Letter received prior to registering for any courses.

Program Of Study

Students are required to print or save a copy of the Program of Study when beginning the program. This document contains critical details about program progression and graduation requirements specific to the academic year in which your program was started.

Click to access the Program of Study for the current academic year.

Students who began this program prior to the current academic year may contact the Professional and Part-Time Learning office at ppl@durhamcollege.ca or 905-721-3052 to obtain your Program of Study and graduation requirements.

Field Placement

This program contains a field placement requirement.

For details, including paperwork submission deadlines, please visit the Field Placement Page, and for specific program-related field placement questions, please review the Early Childhood Education - Resource Consulting Field Placement FAQs.

Program Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this program, students will be equipped to:

  • Build and maintain responsive relationships and partnerships with children with special needs and families from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds including Indigenous peoples' worldviews and Francophone identity, to provide culturally relevant early learning opportunities, programs and services.
  • Recommend, discuss and plan, in partnership with families and early childhood educators, inquiry and play -based early learning program adaptations to accommodate and support learning, holistic development and well-being in children with special needs.
  • Advise and lead early childhood educators and children's service partners in the development of a philosophy of inclusion and policies and practices that support diverse, equitable and accessible learning opportunities for children with special needs and their families.
  • Administer observation strategies and screening tools to interpret and document children's learning and to identify children with challenges and facilitate family's referrals to resources for further assessment and intervention as necessary.
  • Collaborate with children, families, early learning educators, health professionals and children' s service partners to facilitate the planning, co-ordination and evaluation of individualized support plans for children with special needs.
  • Plan, deliver and evaluate strength-based training to children, families, early childhood educators and children' s service partners to support quality, inclusive early years and child-care programs and services for children with special needs and families.
  • Provide consultation, service coordination and referral support to families, early childhood educators and children' s service partners to support communication, collaboration and continuity of services for children with special need s and families.
  • Comply with current legislation, regulations, policies and evidence-informed practices in early years and childcare settings to provide quality early learning programs and services for children with special needs and their families.
  • Advocate for inclusive, meaningful and purposeful early learning opportunities and services for children with special needs, their families and communities.
  • Engage in reflective practice and keep current in emerging research within the early years sector to lead initiatives related to inclusive practice and improving early learning opportunities, programs and services for all children and especially those living with special needs and their families.

Career Options

Potential career and industry options may include:

  • Integrated and community based programs
  • Consultative services
  • Specialized settings serving children with special needs

Program Related Questions? Call 905.721.3052

If you are interested in applying for financial aid, please visit the Professional and Part-Time Learning OSAP Eligibility webpage.

Currently offered

Course Title Location/
Delivery Method
ECRC 1081Adapting & Modifying Curriculum PracticesOnline
ECRC 3083Empowering Families Through Strength-Based ApproachesOnline
ECRC 2081Evidence Informed Decision MakingOnline
ECRC 2080Field Placement I (ECE Resource Consulting)Online
ECRC 4080Field Placement II (ECE Resource Consulting)Online
ECRC 1080Supporting Atypical DevelopmentOnline
ECRC 2082Working with Others Through Professional EngagementOnline