Ontario College Diploma
Program Description
Quality early childhood education (ECE) is critical in preparing children for future learning. As an early childhood educator, you will have an integral role in promoting children's development from birth to age 12 within the following five domains: cognitive, social, emotional, language and physical. In the ECE program, you will engage in theoretical studies along with practical applications. Moreover, professional practice and ethics will guide you in working with families, understanding pedagogy and fostering belonging and well-being in children.
Admission Requirements
- Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) including Grade 12 English (C or U) (minimum 60%) OR
- Grade 12 equivalency certificate achieved through College academic upgrading OR
- Mature Student Status (19 years of age or older) with Grade 12 English (C or U) (minimum 60%)
- Equivalent secondary school diploma from another province or territory in Canada (Please note: A recognized equivalent to an OSSD may be accepted if you meet the levels, subjects and overall averages required for admission to the college. Generally the requirement is successful completion of a Grade 12 diploma except in Quebec where the equivalent is Secondary V) or
- Equivalent secondary school diploma from outside of Canada. Applicants who have been educated outside of Canada must have their documents evaluated by a credential assessment service (ICAS) and submit proof of educational qualifications in order to determine if their level of achievement is equivalent to an OSSD. To obtain a Credential Assessment Report visit either ICAS (1.800.321.6021) or WES (1.866.343.0070)
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office recommended
- Clear Criminal Reference Check with Vulnerable Sector Screening is required for Field Placement. Without this, you may not be accepted for placement by a field placement agency and may be unable to complete the requirements of the program.
- 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 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 prior to registering for your first course.
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 Centre for Professional and Part-Time Learning office at ppl@durhamcollege.ca or 905-721-3052 to obtain your Program of Study and graduation requirements.
General Education Electives: This program requires the completion of General Education Elective (GNED) courses in addition to core program courses.
Click to access General Education Elective Course Options
IMPORTANT NOTE: Some programs may have restrictions on the specific GNED courses that students are able to take to fulfill their program requirements. For Centre for Professional and Part-Time Learning students, these restrictions are identified on the link above. For those in full-time, day school programs, please consult your academic school for confirmation of any GNED restrictions for your program before registering.
Field Placements & Observing the Young Child Courses:
This program contains three field placement courses and one observation course.
Please visit the Field Placement Page for information, deadlines and instructions for applying for this program's field placement and Observing the Young Child courses.
For additional, program-specific field placement questions, please review the ECE Placements & Observing the Young Child FAQs.
Please also be advised of the following:
- Seat availability for field placement courses are limited. Please visit the field placement page for further details.
- Registration for all ECE Field Placement & Observing the Young Child courses will show as "closed" on our website. Permission from the placement officer is required to register for these courses. Approval is based on the successful, on-time submission of all pre-placement/observation paperwork.
- Field Placement is available to Ontario residents only.
- You cannot complete your placement where you are also employed, or where you are also a parent.
- Your shifts must be no less than 5 hours in duration and not exceed 9 hours per day.
- Students who have completed the first two ECE field placements via Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) will not be eligible for a specialized setting in the final field placement.
- ECE Field Placement 3 is not eligible for PLAR Challenge
- Students must complete all prerequisite courses prior to applying for each field placement, and have a minimum 2.0 GPA.
- NOTE: The prerequisite for the final field placement (ECE Field Placement 3), is successful completion of all other courses in the program and a GPA of 2.0 or higher.
Program Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this program, students will be equipped to:
- Plan curriculum that is based on a thorough understanding of child development
- Plan and implement individual programs and curriculum to meet the developmental needs of children
- Utilize a variety of observation techniques to enhance work with children, families, and co-workers
- Maintain responsive relationships with individual children and groups of children
- Establish and maintain safe and healthy environments which best meet the requirements of current legislation, regulatory bodies, and program policies
- Develop and maintain effective written, oral, nonverbal, and electronic communications with children, families, co-workers, employers, and individuals/agencies
- Apply relevant legislation, policies, procedures, and regulations to early childhood education programs and settings in a changing social context
- Apply a personal philosophy of early childhood education within the framework of ethical and professional standards
- Act in a manner consistent with principles of fairness, equity, and diversity to support the development and learning of individual children, within the context of his/her family, culture, and society
Career Options
Potential career and industry options may include:
- Resource consultant for children with exceptionalities
- School board including full-day kindergarten classrooms
- Childcare centres
- Private home childcare provider
- Nursery schools
The Ministry of Children and Youth is offering financial support in the form of Education Grants, Travel Grants and Training Allowances to individuals currently working in licensed childcare settings who want to upgrade their qualifications in order to obtain an Early Childhood Education diploma. For information and forms please visit www.ecegrants.on.ca.
Opportunities For Degree Completion Or Additional Credentials
Qualified graduates can apply to Durham College's:
Graduates may also be eligible to apply their academic credits toward further study through Durham College's partnerships with many Canadian and international colleges and universities.
Please visit the Transfer Guide for more information.
Program Related Questions? Call 905.721.3052
If you are interested in applying for financial aid, please visit the Centre for Professional and Part-Time Learning OSAP Eligibility webpage.
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