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All Durham College campuses and locations are closed until further notice due to COVID-19. Classes and services continue to be offered online.

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Introducing the new Centre for Professional and Part-time Learning, formerly the School of Continuing Education.

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Early Childhood Education - Resource Consulting (Graduate Certificate)

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 with children living with special needs and with their 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, 2011).

Certificate Requirements

  • Early Childhood Education Diploma and transcript or equivalency granted by The College of Early Childhood Educators or copy of The College of Early Childhood Educators registration card.
  • Documentation stating previous experience (minimum 105 hours) with children who are developmentally handicapped/delayed, as defined by the Day Nurseries Act. 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

Please note: Due to the college closure, please do not send official transcripts by mail or fax. An electronic copy of your transcript can be emailed to us at ppl@durhamcollege.ca with your program admission form to get your application started until the college re-opens.

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 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.

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:

  • Plan, recommend and support play-based early learning activities, program adaptations and modifications to accommodate the learning, abilities and developmental needs of children living with a variety of special needs
  • Advise and lead agency/childcare centre staff and community partners in the development of a philosophy of inclusion and of policies and practices that support maximum participation of all children, including children living with special needs, in early learning opportunities
  • Select, administer and interpret a variety of observation techniques and screening tools to identify children at risk for atypical development and learning, and refer to specialists for further assessment and intervention as necessary
  • Create and maintain partnerships with families, agency/childcare centre staff and community partners, to provide family-centered and community-based supports and services for children living with special needs
  • Plan, co-ordinate and evaluate individualized Family Service Plans (FSP) for children living with special needs, incorporating development and learning goals and developed in consultation with families, early learning educators, health professionals and community service providers
  • Plan and deliver strength-based training to families, agency/childcare centre staff and community partners, and evaluate results
  • Provide consultation, case management and referral services to families and agency/childcare centre staff in early learning settings
  • Identify and act in accordance with current legislation, regulations and evidence-based practices in early childhood education, special needs and inclusive practice
  • Promote the benefits of inclusive, meaningful and purposeful learning opportunities and services for children living with special needs and for their families
  • Engage in reflective practice and keep current in emerging knowledge of early childhood education, special needs related and inclusive practice

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 Centre for Professional and Part-Time Learning OSAP Eligibility webpage.

Currently offered

Course Title Location
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