ECE Placements & Observing the Young Child FAQs

The following documents are required for each Early Childhood Education (ECE) field placement:

• ECE Field Placement Application Form (includes Observing the Young Child)
• Entry Immunization Form
• Criminal Reference Check with Vulnerable Sector Screening (valid within six months from the start date of the placement term; see PPL website for specific date ranges)
• Standard First Aid & Level C CPR Certification
  (Note: Online and hybrid (online & in-class) courses are accepted only if WSIB-approved.)
• Student Declaration of Understanding
• Informed Consent for the Release of Personal Information
• Online Training Module Completion Certificates (accessed via PPL’s DC Connect Application Modules):
  • Workplace Hazardous Materials Information (WHMIS)
  • Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities (AODA)
  • Workplace Violence and Harassment Prevention
  • Worker Health and Safety Awareness in 4 Steps

All Early Childhood Education (ECE) placements must be completed in person. Remote or hybrid placements are not available for ECE programs.

Students in placement courses will receive approval to register (via email from the Placement Officer) only after their documentation has been reviewed and approved by both PPL and Synergy Gateway. Additionally, if applicable, final grades from prerequisite courses from the previous semester must be posted. This review and approval process takes time, and your patience is appreciated. Grades are typically not available until the week preceding the start of the following term.

• ECE Field Placement, Level 1: 182 hours
• ECE Field Placement, Level 2: 182 hours
• ECE Field Placement, Level 3: 245 hours

Students must complete all required hours and the final evaluation by the published course end date. Failure to meet this requirement will result in an unsatisfactory grade for the placement course.

Students living within the Durham Region are placed at the first available agency approved by the Placement Officer. Due to limited availability, placements are arranged by the college, and students should not contact agencies directly.

Students living outside of Durham Region must find their own placement and submit the agency details through the application form provided in the DC Connect Pre-Placement Paperwork module. The Placement Officer must approve all placements.

No. Only active placement activities count toward your required placement hours.

Yes, specialized placements (e.g., school settings) are available for Level 3 only and must follow these guidelines:

• Students must not contact specialized settings directly unless arranging a placement outside of Durham Region.
• Students must submit a specialized placement application, including an essay, via the DC Connect Pre-Placement Paperwork module.
• Eligibility criteria:
  1. Successful, incident-free completion of previous placements.
  2. Demonstration of professional behavior, honesty, and timely submission of documentation.
  3. A cumulative GPA of 4.0 or higher.
  4. Submission of an essay clearly addressing:
  • Your career goals (where you see yourself in five years).
  • Three strengths you bring to the chosen environment.
  • One skill area you wish to develop further as an educator.

Specialized placements are limited and are awarded based on eligibility and merit. Failure to meet the outlined conditions will result in placement denial.

Field Placements in this program must be completed within the Province of Ontario.

Field placements 1 and 2 in the ECE are eligible for a PLAR (Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition) challenge. The final placement is not eligible for PLAR. 

Note: If you plan to challenge your first placement through PLAR, you are also encouraged to challenge "ECE Field Placement Preparation 2" and "Observing the Young Child," as these are co-requisite courses.

For more information regarding PLAR eligibility and processes, please call 905.721.2000 ext. 7605 or email plar@durhamcollege.ca.