Make a lasting impact through Early Childhood Education

As Canada works to expand access to childcare and address a growing need for qualified early childhood educators (ECEs), Durham College (DC) is helping to meet the demand by preparing the next generation of professionals for this rewarding career.

In August, the federal government announced an investment to support the recruitment and retention of early childhood educators across Canada, reinforcing the importance of building a strong workforce to support a high-quality Canada-wide early learning and child care system.

With demand for qualified educators growing, DC’s Early Childhood Education program offers a direct pathway into the field for those interested in helping young children learn, develop and reach their full potential.

“It’s extremely rewarding when you have a love for seeing the growth and the learning in young children, and you can see it in front of your eyes,” said DC faculty member Lyndal McDonnell. “They’re building and growing, and really, you’re building and growing right alongside them.”

Each year, DC offers three intakes to the popular program, which combines classroom learning with multiple field placements that expose students to a range of different settings and age groups.

Upon graduation, they’re ready to combine theory with the practical skills they’ve learned while building relationships with children and educators in the community. In fact, many graduates secure their first job even before crossing the stage at Convocation, according to McDonnell.

“Many of our graduates get jobs coming right out of the program,” she said, noting that some find work in childcare and early learning centres, while others pursue jobs in kindergarten classrooms and community-based services.

It’s a job that requires a particular set of skills, as well as a certain temperament.

“You definitely need to have patience, and you need to have an open mind. If you’re doing an activity, a child might come along and want to do it some other way, and you’ve got to be open to allowing them to do that because we all have different learning styles,” explained McDonnell.

Luckily, the program’s emphasis on hands-on learning ensures that graduates will have lots of experience working with real children, including a seven-week field placement in the final semester.

DC students also benefit from the expertise of experienced faculty like McDonnell, who worked with children for 25 years before arriving at DC. For her, one of the keys to becoming a successful ECE is putting yourself on the children’s level.

“I always tell students not to think of themselves as a teacher, but as play partners. That gets them down on the ground, building with those blocks, sitting there and painting with the children, and helping extend their learning and their knowledge,” she said.

Are you ready for a career that can make a difference in the lives of children for years to come? Apply now!