Early Childhood Education Program (C100)

2022-20232023-2024
  • Program Name:
    Early Childhood Education
  • Code: C100
  • Credential:
    Ontario College Diploma
  • Method of Study:
    Full-time
  • Duration:
    Duration (2 years (4 semesters, September start) or 16 months continuous with summer classes (January, May start)
  • Centre:
  • School: Early Childhood
  • Location: George Brown College at Toronto Metropolitan University Campus
  • Starting Months: January, May, September
  • Domestic Tuition:
    $3,947.00 *
  • International Tuition:
    $17,036.00 **
  • Experiential Learning:

    Field Placement

  • Spring 2023 Delivery:
    Semester 1, 2: On Campus

Compare up to 3 programs

Overview

Leadership Claims

Preparing graduates to work as Early Childhood Educators for more than 20 years.

Program Overview

George Brown College is now offering a tuition-free* Early Childhood Education (Accelerated) program for a limited time.
This 16-month accelerated program starts in May 2023.

PLEASE NOTE: Funding for this program is only available to domestic students.

Early Childhood Education is a two-year diploma program that uses rotating blocks of theory and practice to give you the skills you need to work with children from six weeks to 12 years of age in a variety of settings.

*This opportunity is funded in partnership with the City of Toronto, the Province of Ontario and Government of Canada under the new Canada-Ontario Early Childhood Workforce Agreement, which provides one-time federal funding to support the retention and recruitment of a high-quality child care and early years workforce.

Full Description

George Brown College is now offering a tuition-free* Early Childhood Education (Accelerated) program for a limited time.
This 16-month accelerated program starts in May 2023.

PLEASE NOTE: Funding for this program is only available to domestic students.


Early Childhood Education is a two-year diploma program that will teach you how to support children as they grow. You will study the holistic development of infants (from six weeks), toddlers, preschoolers and school-aged children (to 12 years), learn how to plan and implement programs that support children’s learning; and have an opportunity to engage with families and the broader community.

We have structured this program to alternate between in-class learning and field placement. This method of teaching helps you develop confidence in your skills as you learn to apply key concepts from the classroom to a real-world setting. Employers value this approach because it makes our graduates ready to work as early childhood educators on day one.

PLEASE NOTE: Some of our clinical or work placement partners may require students to show proof of full vaccination. As such, students who are not fully vaccinated against COVID-19 may not be able to complete the required field placement component of their program in the regularly scheduled time frame. Please visit this page for the latest updates on COVID-19.

ACCELERATED OPTION (16 consecutive months)

For students who are eager to enter the field of Early Childhood Education and are able to study without any significant breaks, we offer an accelerated stream that runs for 16 consecutive months (four continuous semesters). For more details visit our Early Childhood Education (Accelerated) (C160) program.

FAST-TRACK – DIRECT ENTRY (10 MONTHS)

You may qualify for the fast-track program if you have a diploma or degree in a related field. For details visit Early Childhood Education (Fast-Track) (C130) program.


*This opportunity is funded in partnership with the City of Toronto, the Province of Ontario and Government of Canada under the new Canada-Ontario Early Childhood Workforce Agreement, which provides one-time federal funding to support the retention and recruitment of a high-quality child care and early years workforce. 

Your Field Education Options

Students complete a seven-week field placement in each semester of the program. During this time, students have the opportunity to work with children of different age groups in a variety of settings.

Field placement provides a continuum of experience that gives students the opportunity to integrate and apply theory to practice.

To support student learning outcomes and ensure you have access to facilities that model the best practices we consider essential, we operate Ontario's largest network of college-run lab school child care centres that serve over 1100 children and their families each year. These 12 child care centres, located across the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), will expose you to the kinds of environments where you will eventually work and provide valuable services to the families and communities that they serve.

Program Learning Outcomes

The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:

  1. Create learning contexts to enable, build and maintain caring, responsive relationships in partnerships with children, families and communities that value and respect social, cultural and linguistic diversity including Indigenous peoples' world views and Francophone identity.
  2. Co-create, facilitate and reflect upon inquiry and play-based early years and child care programs and pedagogical approaches to support children's learning, holistic development and well-being following children's capabilities, interests, ideas and experiences.
  3. Co-design and maintain inclusive early-learning environments to value and support equitable, accessible and meaningful learning opportunities for all children, their families and communities in a range of early years and child care settings.
  4. Collaborate with children, families, colleagues, agencies and community partners to create, maintain, evaluate and promote safe and healthy early-learning environments to support independence, reasonable risk-taking and healthy development and well-being.
  5. Use observation strategies to identify children's strengths and challenges and to ascertain when children and families might benefit from additional support or community resources.
  6. Use professional communication in interactions with children, families, colleagues, employers, the regulatory body, government authorities and children's service agencies to meet legal and ethical standards of the early years sector.
  7. Act in accordance with relevant legislation, regulations, College of Early Childhood Educators Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice, agency policies and procedures and principles of evidence-informed practice and reflect upon their impact on one's own role in early years and child care settings.
  8. Identify, report and document when a child is in a situation of perceived risk for, or actual neglect or abuse, in accordance with legislation, the College of Early Childhood Educators Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice, policies and procedures.
  9. Create and engage in partnerships with families, communities, colleagues, interdisciplinary professionals, authorities and child service agencies to advocate for quality early years and child care programs and services.
  10. Engage in reflective practice and continuous professional learning in accordance with principles of lifelong learning, evidence-informed practices in the early years sector and requirements of the College of Early Childhood Educators.

Courses

Required Courses

SEMESTER 1

CodeCourse Name
ECE 1000Professional Development Workshop 1
ECE 1075Foundations of ECE
ECE 1069Health, Safety and Nutrition
ECE 1070Interpersonal Communication
ECE 1076Observation, Planning and Evaluation
ECE 2045Applied Curriculum
PSY 1075Infant and Child Development
COMM 1007College English**

SEMESTER 2

CodeCourse Name
ECE 1069 Health, Safety and Nutrition
ECE 1092Field Practice I
ECE 1181Integrated Seminar I
GSSC 1064Introduction to Sociology
ECE 1076Observation, Planning and Evaluation
ECE 2045Applied Curriculum
PSY 1075Infant and Child Development
ECE 2059Field Practice Tutorial I

SEMESTER 3

CodeCourse Name
ECE 2048Policy, Advocacy and Legislation
ECE 2049Inclusion In Early Childhood
ECE 2050Working with Families
ECE 1026Field Practice II
ECE 1182Integrated Seminar II
ECE 1080Professional Development Workshop 2
ECE 2053Curriculum Theory
ECE 2061Social Plolicy in the Early Years
ECE 2062Field Practice Tutorial II
GNEDGeneral Education Elective

SEMESTER 4

CodeCourse Name
ECE 2048Policy, Advocacy and Legislation
ECE 2050Working with Families
ECE 2060Field Practice III
ECE 1183Integrated Seminar III
ECE 2053Curriculum Theory
ECE 2057Current Issues
ECE 2056Creative Curriculum
ECE 2063Field Practice Tutorial III
GNEDGeneral Education Elective

**Based on the results of your placement test, you may be required to take COMM 1000 Introduction to College Communication before progressing to COMM 1007. COMM 1000 does not count as a course required for graduation, and you will be charged for this extra course. Please visit Assessment Centre for more information.

General Education Electives

Career & Postgraduate Study Opportunities

Career Options

Graduates of this program may find employment in:

  • child care centres
  • early years centres
  • full-day kindergarten
  • parent resource centres
  • pediatric playrooms
  • special education settings
  • integrated kindergartens
  • therapeutic nursery programs
  • in-home care

Educational Pathways

Students who complete the Early Childhood Education program with a GPA of 2.5 or higher may apply to complete the bridge courses for entry into the third year of the Honours Bachelor of Early Childhood Leadership program (C301).

Your Early Childhood Education diploma will give you credit toward degree programs at other institutions. It also makes you eligible for entrance to Ontario’s College of Early Childhood Educators.

For information on future study options, see Transfer Guide.

Tuition and Fees

Domestic Tuition

$3,947.00 *

International Tuition

$17,036.00 **

Additional Costs

* Amounts listed are the total of tuition, materials, student service and ancillary fees for the first two semesters of programs starting in Fall 2021. Fees are subject to change for programs starting in Fall 2022 and at later dates.

** Amounts listed are the total of tuition, materials, student service and ancillary fees for the first two semesters of programs starting in Fall 2022. Fees are subject to change for programs starting in Fall 2023 and at later dates.

International Students

Visit the International Fees and Related Costs page for more information. 

Financial Assistance

This program is approved for OSAP funding, provided the applicant meets OSAP eligibility criteria.

Disclaimer: The information contained in this website is subject to change without notice. It should not be viewed as a representation, offer or warranty. Students are responsible for verifying George Brown College fee requirements.

How to Qualify and Apply

Admission Requirements

Applicants are selected on the basis of their academic achievement, including the required courses, and any other selection criteria outlined below.

  • Ontario Secondary School Diploma or equivalent**
  • Grade 12 English (C or U) PLUS any additional (3) Grade 12 C, U, M or Grade 11 C, U or M credits***

** Mature Student status (19 years of age or older and no OSSD)

Mature Students may take the Admissions Assessment for English, OR may consider upgrading to achieve the credit(s) needed in English.

*** Grade 11 English (ENG3C) cannot be used toward meeting one of the additional 3 credits 12 C, U, M or grade 11 C, U or M credits

Please note that George Brown is committed to ensuring that applicants will succeed in their program of choice and meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission to the program. Applicants may be required to have grades higher than the minimum requirements stated.

Course Exemptions

College or university credits may qualify you for course exemptions. Please visit Transfer Guide for more information.

International Students

Visit the International Admissions page for more information regarding country specific admission requirements.  

Special Requirements

Field placement is a mandatory and complex component of the program. Should accommodation issues arise, an Accessible Learning Consultant may be called upon to assist the applicant in determining whether she/he can meet the requirements necessary for safe caregiving for young children.

In compliance with requests from our student placement partners and requirements from Public Health and Ontario legislation, all students in this program must have completed the following prior to beginning field placement:

  • Standard First Aid with CPR level C course
  • Police Vulnerable Sector Check
  • Medical Clearance

Students who are unable to provide completed field clearance documents may be unable to complete their field placement and, therefore, be unable to complete the program.

For more information on the ECE Field Placement requirements, please email ece@georgebrown.ca.

How to Apply

Domestic students should apply through Ontario Colleges.

International Students

Visit the How to Apply page for more information on how and when to apply. 

International students should apply through the George Brown College Online Application System.

Student Success

Kevin Kelo (Student, Early Childhood Education)

To learn about the George Brown College student experience in the Early Childhood Education (C100) diploma program, watch this short testimonial.

Alice Lee, 2016 Graduate

"By the end of first year, I had gained knowledge from courses that I was able to apply to my field placements. That hands-on experience was invaluable to me because the placements were immersive and allowed me to grow and experience diversity. All of this helped me get a job immediately upon graduating!"

Contact Us

School of Early Childhood

Phone: 416-415-5000, ext. 2310
Email: ece@georgebrown.ca
Our office hours are 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

For more information about George Brown College, you may also call the Contact Centre at 416-415-2000 (TTY 1-877-515-5559) or long distance 1-800-265-2002.

International Students

Contact one of our international recruitment representatives specializing by country of origin by either booking a virtual meeting or submitting an inquiry. For more information visit the International Contact Us page

Sign up and learn more about your options, our programs, and life at George Brown.

Early Childhood Education Program (C100)

2022-20232023-2024

Compare up to 3 programs

Overview

Leadership Claims

Preparing graduates to work as Early Childhood Educators for more than 20 years.

Program Overview

Early Childhood Education is a two-year diploma program that uses rotating blocks of theory and practice to give you the skills you need to work with children from 6 weeks to 12 years of age in a variety of settings.

Full Description

Early Childhood Education is a two-year diploma program that will teach you how to support children as they grow. You will study the physical, cognitive, social and emotional development stages of infants, toddlers, preschoolers and school-aged children, and will learn to recognize key behaviours associated with each developmental stage.

We have structured this program to alternate between in-class learning and field placement. This method of teaching helps you to develop confidence in your abilities as you learn to apply key concepts from the classroom to a real-world setting. Employers value this approach because it makes our graduates ready to work as early childhood educators on day one.

PLEASE NOTE: Some of our clinical or work placement partners may require students to show proof of full vaccination. As such, students who are not fully vaccinated against COVID-19 may not be able to complete the required field placement component of their program in the regularly scheduled time frame. Please visit this page for the latest updates on COVID-19.

ACCELERATED OPTION (16 Consecutive Months)

For students who are eager to enter the field of Early Childhood Education and are able to study without any significant breaks, we offer an accelerated stream that runs for 16 consecutive months (4 continuous semesters). For more details visit our Early Childhood Education (Accelerated) (C160) program.

FAST-TRACK – DIRECT ENTRY (10 MONTHS)

You may qualify for the fast-track program if you have a diploma or degree in a related field. For details visit program C130.

Your Field Education Options

Students complete a seven-week field placement in each semester of the program. During this time, students have the opportunity to work with children of different age groups in a variety of settings.

Field placement provides a continuum of experience that gives students the opportunity to integrate and apply theory to practice.

To support student learning outcomes and ensure you have access to facilities that reflect the best practices we consider essential, we own and operate 12 child care centres located across the Greater Toronto Area. These lab schools expose you to the kinds of environments where you will eventually work and provide valuable services to the families and communities that they serve.

Program Learning Outcomes

The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:

  1. Create learning contexts to enable, build and maintain caring, responsive relationships in partnerships with children, families and communities that value and respect social, cultural and linguistic diversity including Indigenous peoples' worldviews and Francophone identity.
  2. Co-create, facilitate and reflect upon inquiry and play-based early years and child care programs and pedagogical approaches to support children's learning, holistic development and well-being following children's capabilities, interests, ideas and experiences.
  3. Co-design and maintain inclusive early learning environments to value and support equitable, accessible and meaningful learning opportunities for all children, their families and communities in a range of early years and child care settings.
  4. Collaborate with children, families, colleagues, agencies and community partners to create, maintain, evaluate and promote safe and healthy early learning environments to support independence, reasonable risk-taking and healthy development and well-being.
  5. Use observation strategies to identify children's strengths and challenges and to ascertain when children and families might benefit from additional support or community resources.
  6. Use professional communication in interactions with children, families, colleagues, employers, the regulatory body, government authorities and children's service agencies to meet legal and ethical standards of the early years sector.
  7. Act in accordance with relevant legislation, regulations, College of Early Childhood Educators Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice, agency policies and procedures and principles of evidence-informed practice and reflect upon their impact on one's own role in early years and child care settings.
  8. Identify, report and document when a child is in a situation of perceived risk for, or actual neglect or abuse, in accordance with legislation, the College of Early Childhood Educators Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice, policies and procedures.
  9. Create and engage in partnerships with families, communities, colleagues, interdisciplinary professionals, authorities and child service agencies to advocate for quality early years and child care programs and services.
  10. Engage in reflective practice and continuous professional learning in accordance with principles of lifelong learning, evidence-informed practices in the early years sector and requirements of the College of Early Childhood Educators.

Courses

Required Courses

SEMESTER 1

CodeCourse Name
ECE1075Foundations of ECE
PSY1075Infant and Child Development
ECE1069Health, Safety and Nutrition
ECE1070Interpersonal Communication
ECE1181Integrated Seminar I
ECE2045Applied Curriculum
ECE1024Field Practice I
COMM1007College English**

SEMESTER 2

CodeCourse Name
ECE1075Foundations of ECE
PSY1075Infant and Child Development
ECE1069Health, Safety and Nutrition
ECE1070Interpersonal Communication
ECE1026Field Practice II
GSSC1064Introduction to Sociology
ECE1089Observation, Planning and Evaluation
ECE1182Integrated Seminar II
ECE2045Applied Curriculum
ECE1000Professional Development Workshop 1

SEMESTER 3

CodeCourse Name
ECE2048Policy, Advocacy and Legislation
ECE2049Inclusion In Early Childhood
ECE2050Working with Families
ECE2014Field Practice III
GHUM1041History of Social Policy in Canada
ECE1080Professional Development Workshop 2
ECE2053Curriculum Theory
ECE2056Creative Curriculum
ECE1183Integrated Seminar III
GNEDGeneral Education Elective

SEMESTER 4

CodeCourse Name
ECE2048Policy, Advocacy and Legislation
ECE2049Inclusion In Early Childhood
ECE2050Working with Families
ECE2017Field Practice IV
GHUM1041History of Social Policy in Canada
ECE1080Professional Development Workshop 2
ECE2053Curriculum Theory
ECE1184Integrated Seminar IV
ECE2057Current Issues
GNEDGeneral Education Elective

**Based on the results of your placement test, you may be required to take COMM1003 (English Skills)*** or CESL1003 (English Skills – ESL)*** before progressing to COMM1007. COMM1003/CESL1003*** does not count as a course required for graduation, and you will be charged for this extra course. Please visit Assessment Centre for more information.

***COMM1003/CESL1003 courses will be replaced by COMM1000 Introduction to College Communication starting with Winter 2022 intake.

General Education Electives

Career & Postgraduate Study Opportunities

Your Career

Graduates of this program may find employment in:

  • child care centres
  • early years centres
  • full-day Kindergarten
  • parent resource centres
  • pediatric playrooms
  • special education settings
  • integrated kindergartens
  • therapeutic nursery programs
  • in-home care

Future Study Options

Students who complete the Early Childhood Education program with a GPA of 2.5 or higher may apply to complete the bridge courses for entry into the third year of the Honours Bachelor of Early Childhood Leadership program (C301).

Your Early Childhood Education diploma will give you credit towards degree programs at other institutions. It also makes you eligible for entrance to Ontario’s College of Early Childhood Educators.

For information on future study options, see Transfer Guide.

Tuition and Fees

Domestic Tuition

$3,954.00 *

Additional Costs

* Amounts listed are the total of tuition, materials, student service and ancillary fees for the first two semesters of programs starting in Fall 2020. Fees are subject to change for programs starting in Fall 2021 and at later dates.

International Students

Visit the International Fees and Related Costs page for more information. 

Financial Assistance

This program is approved for OSAP funding, provided the applicant meets OSAP eligibility criteria.

Disclaimer: The information contained in this website is subject to change without notice. It should not be viewed as a representation, offer or warranty. Students are responsible for verifying George Brown College fee requirements.

How to Qualify and Apply

Admission Requirements

Applicants are selected on the basis of their academic achievement, including the required courses, and any other selection criteria outlined below.

  • Ontario Secondary School Diploma or equivalent**
  • Grade 12 English (C or U) PLUS any additional (3) Grade 12 C, U, M or Grade 11 C, U or M credits***

** Mature Student status (19 years of age or older and no OSSD)

Mature Students may take the Admissions Assessment for English, OR may consider upgrading to achieve the credit(s) needed in English.

*** Grade 11 English (ENG3C) cannot be used toward meeting one of the additional 3 credits 12 C, U, M or grade 11 C, U or M credits

Please note that George Brown is committed to ensuring that applicants will succeed in their program of choice and meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission to the program. Applicants may be required to have grades higher than the minimum requirements stated.

Course Exemptions

College or university credits may qualify you for course exemptions. Please visit Transfer Guide for more information.

International Students

Visit the International Admissions page for more information regarding country specific admission requirements.  

Special Requirements

Field placement is a mandatory and complex component of the program. Should accommodation issues arise, an Accessible Learning Consultant may be called upon to assist the applicant in determining whether she/he can meet the requirements necessary for safe caregiving for young children.

In compliance with requests from our student placement partners and requirements from Public Health and Ontario legislation, all students in this program must have completed the following prior to beginning field placement:

  • Standard First Aid with CPR level C course
  • Police Vulnerable Sector Check
  • Medical Clearance

Students who are unable to provide completed field clearance documents may be unable to complete their field placement and, therefore, be unable to complete the program.

For more information on the ECE Field Placement requirements, please email ece@georgebrown.ca

How to Apply

Domestic students should apply through Ontario Colleges

International Students

Visit the How to Apply page for more information on how and when to apply. 

International students should apply through the George Brown College Online Application System.

Student Success

Kevin Kelo (Student, Early Childhood Education)

To learn about the George Brown College student experience in the Early Childhood Education (C100) diploma program, watch this short testimonial.

Alice Lee, 2016 Graduate

"By the end of first year, I had gained knowledge from courses that I was able to apply to my field placements. That hands-on experience was invaluable to me because the placements were immersive and allowed me to grow and experience diversity. All of this helped me get a job immediately upon graduating!"

Contact Us

School of Early Childhood

Phone: 416-415-5000, ext. 2310
Email: ece@georgebrown.ca
Our office hours are 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

For more information about George Brown College, you may also call the Contact Centre at 416-415-2000 (TTY 1-877-515-5559) or long distance 1-800-265-2002.

International Students

Contact one of our international recruitment representatives specializing by country of origin by either booking a virtual meeting or submitting an inquiry. For more information visit the International Contact Us page

Sign up and learn more about your options, our programs, and life at George Brown.

Early Childhood Education Program (C100)

2022-20232023-2024

Compare up to 3 programs

Overview

Leadership Claims

Preparing graduates to work as Early Childhood Educators for more than 20 years.

Program Overview

PLEASE NOTE: We are now accepting applications for our January 2021 program. September 2020 is now closed.

Early Childhood Education is a two-year diploma program that uses rotating blocks of theory and practice to give you the skills you need to work with children from 6 weeks to 12 years of age in a variety of settings.

Full Description

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the planned delivery of this program starting in September 2020 will be online with limited access to field experiences.

PLEASE NOTE: In response to this evolving situation, the delivery, learning activities and evaluation methods may be further modified mid-semester.

Learners will require access to high-speed internet, a computer with a built-in or external web camera, a microphone and Google Chrome or Firefox as a web browser.

Early Childhood Education is a two-year diploma program that combines alternating blocks of classroom theory and field practice to provide students with both theoretical and practical training. Students learn to work with infants, toddlers, preschool and school-aged children in a variety of early childhood education settings.

Each semester is divided into seven-week blocks: one block for academic study and the other for field placement.

ACCELERATED OPTION (16 Consecutive Months)

For students who are eager to enter the field of Early Childhood Education and are able to study without any significant breaks, we offer an accelerated stream that runs for 16 consecutive months (4 continuous semesters). For more details visit our Early Childhood Education (Accelerated) (C160) program.

FAST-TRACK – DIRECT ENTRY (10 MONTHS)

You may qualify for the fast-track program if you have a diploma or degree in a related field. For details visit program C130.

Your Field Education Options

Students complete a seven-week field placement in each semester of the program. During this time, students have the opportunity to work with children of different age groups in a variety of settings.

Field placement provides a continuum of experience that gives students the opportunity to integrate and apply theory to practice.

To support student learning outcomes and ensure you have access to facilities that reflect the best practices we consider essential, we own and operate 12 child care centres located across the Greater Toronto Area. These lab schools expose you to the kinds of environments where you will eventually work and provide valuable services to the families and communities that they serve.

Program Learning Outcomes

The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:

  1. Create learning contexts to enable, build and maintain caring, responsive relationships in partnerships with children, families and communities that value and respect social, cultural and linguistic diversity including Indigenous peoples' worldviews and Francophone identity.
  2. Co-create, facilitate and reflect upon inquiry and play-based early years and child care programs and pedagogical approaches to support children's learning, holistic development and well-being following children's capabilities, interests, ideas and experiences.
  3. Co-design and maintain inclusive early learning environments to value and support equitable, accessible and meaningful learning opportunities for all children, their families and communities in a range of early years and child care settings.
  4. Collaborate with children, families, colleagues, agencies and community partners to create, maintain, evaluate and promote safe and healthy early learning environments to support independence, reasonable risk-taking and healthy development and well-being.
  5. Use observation strategies to identify children's strengths and challenges and to ascertain when children and families might benefit from additional support or community resources.
  6. Use professional communication in interactions with children, families, colleagues, employers, the regulatory body, government authorities and children's service agencies to meet legal and ethical standards of the early years sector.
  7. Act in accordance with relevant legislation, regulations, College of Early Childhood Educators Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice, agency policies and procedures and principles of evidence-informed practice and reflect upon their impact on one's own role in early years and child care settings.
  8. Identify, report and document when a child is in a situation of perceived risk for, or actual neglect or abuse, in accordance with legislation, the College of Early Childhood Educators Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice, policies and procedures.
  9. Create and engage in partnerships with families, communities, colleagues, interdisciplinary professionals, authorities and child service agencies to advocate for quality early years and child care programs and services.
  10. Engage in reflective practice and continuous professional learning in accordance with principles of lifelong learning, evidence-informed practices in the early years sector and requirements of the College of Early Childhood Educators.

Courses

Required Courses

SEMESTER 1

semester courses
CodeCourse Name
ECE1075Foundations of ECE
PSY1075Infant and Child Development
ECE1069Health, Safety and Nutrition
ECE1070Interpersonal Communication
ECE2045Applied Curriculum
COMM1007College English
ECE1000Professional Development Workshop 1
ECE1076Observation, Planning and Evaluation

SEMESTER 2

semester courses
CodeCourse Name
PSY1075Infant and Child Development
GSSC1064Introduction to Sociology
ECE2045Applied Curriculum
ECE1076Observation, Planning and Evaluation
ECE1024Field Practice I
ECE1181Integrated Seminar I

SEMESTER 3

semester courses
CodeCourse Name
ECE2048Policy, Advocacy and Legislation
ECE2049Inclusion In Early Childhood
ECE2050Working with Families
GHUM1041History of Social Policy in Canada
ECE1080Professional Development Workshop 2
ECE2053Curriculum Theory
ECE2056Creative Curriculum
ECE1026Field Practice II
ECE1182Integrated Seminar II
GNEDGeneral Education Elective

SEMESTER 4

semester courses
CodeCourse Name
ECE2048Policy, Advocacy and Legislation
ECE2049Inclusion In Early Childhood
ECE2050Working with Families
GHUM1041History of Social Policy in Canada
ECE1080Professional Development Workshop 2
ECE2053Curriculum Theory
ECE1183Integrated Seminar III
ECE2014Field Practice III
ECE2057Current Issues
GNEDGeneral Education Elective

General Education Electives

Career & Postgraduate Study Opportunities

Your Career

Graduates of this program may find employment in:

  • child care centres
  • early years centres
  • full-day Kindergarten
  • parent resource centres
  • pediatric playrooms
  • special education settings
  • integrated kindergartens
  • therapeutic nursery programs
  • in-home care

Future Study Options

Students who complete the Early Childhood Education program with a GPA of 2.5 or higher may apply to complete the bridge courses for entry into the third year of the Honours Bachelor of Early Childhood Leadership program (C301).

Your Early Childhood Education diploma will give you credit towards degree programs at other institutions. It also makes you eligible for entrance to Ontario’s College of Early Childhood Educators.

For information on future study options, see georgebrown.ca/transferguide

Tuition and Fees

Domestic Tuition

$4,456.00 *

Additional Costs

* Amounts listed are the total of tuition, materials, student service and ancillary fees for the first two semesters of programs starting in Fall 2019. Fees are subject to change for programs starting in Fall 2020 and at later dates.

International students: Visit the International Fees and Related Costs page for more information.

International Students

Visit the International Fees and Related Costs page for more information. 

Financial Assistance

This program is approved for OSAP funding, provided the applicant meets OSAP eligibility criteria.

Disclaimer: The information contained in this website is subject to change without notice. It should not be viewed as a representation, offer or warranty. Students are responsible for verifying George Brown College fee requirements.

How to Qualify and Apply

Admission Requirements

Applicants are selected on the basis of their academic achievement, including the required courses, and any other selection criteria outlined below.

  • Ontario Secondary School Diploma or equivalent**
  • Grade 12 English (C or U) PLUS any additional (3) Grade 12 C, U, M or Grade 11 C, U or M credits

** Mature Student status (19 years of age or older and no OSSD)

Mature Students may take the Admissions Assessment for English, OR may consider upgrading to achieve the credit(s) needed in English.

Please note that George Brown is committed to ensuring that applicants will succeed in their program of choice and meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission to the program. Applicants may be required to have grades higher than the minimum requirements stated.

Course Exemptions

College or university credits may qualify you for course exemptions. Please visit georgebrown.ca/transferguide for more information.

International Students

Visit the International Admissions page for more information.

International Students

Visit the International Admissions page for more information regarding country specific admission requirements.  

Special Requirements

Field placement is a mandatory and complex component of the program. Should accommodation issues arise, an Accessible Learning Consultant may be called upon to assist the applicant in determining whether she/he can meet the requirements necessary for safe caregiving for young children.

In compliance with requests from our student placement partners and requirements from Public Health and Ontario legislation, all students in this program must have completed the following prior to beginning field placement:

  • Standard First Aid with CPR level C course
  • Police Vulnerable Sector Check
  • Medical Clearance

Students who are unable to provide completed field clearance documents may be unable to complete their field placement and, therefore, be unable to complete the program.

For more information on the ECE Field Placement requirements, please email ece@georgebrown.ca

How to Apply

Domestic students should apply through Ontario Colleges

International Students

Visit the How to Apply page for more information on how and when to apply. 

International students should apply through the George Brown College Online Application System.

Student Success

Alice Lee, 2016 Graduate

"By the end of first year, I had gained knowledge from courses that I was able to apply to my field placements. That hands-on experience was invaluable to me because the placements were immersive and allowed me to grow and experience diversity. All of this helped me get a job immediately upon graduating!"

Contact Us

School of Early Childhood

Phone: 416-415-5000, ext. 2310

Email: ece@georgebrown.ca

Our office hours are 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

For more information about George Brown College, you may also call the Contact Centre at 416-415-2000 (TTY 1-877-515-5559) or long distance 1-800-265-2002.

International Students

Contact one of our international recruitment representatives specializing by country of origin by either booking a virtual meeting or submitting an inquiry. For more information visit the International Contact Us page

Sign up and learn more about your options, our programs, and life at George Brown.

Early Childhood Education Program (C100)

2022-20232023-2024

Compare up to 3 programs

Overview

Leadership Claims

Preparing graduates to work as Early Childhood Educators for more than 20 years.

Program Overview

Early Childhood Education is a two-year diploma program that uses rotating blocks of theory and practice to give you the skills you need to work with children from 6 weeks to 12 years of age in a variety of settings.

Full Description

Early Childhood Education is a two-year diploma program that combines alternating blocks of classroom theory and field practice to provide students with both theoretical and practical training. Students learn to work with infants, toddlers, preschool and school-aged children in a variety of early childhood education settings.

Each semester is divided into blocks of seven weeks. One block is for academic study, the other is for field placement.

ACCELERATED OPTION (16 Consecutive Months)

For students who are eager to enter the field of Early Childhood Education and are able to study without any significant breaks, we offer an accelerated stream that runs for 16 consecutive months (4 continuous semesters). For more details visit our Early Childhood Education (Accelerated) (C160) program.

FAST-TRACK – DIRECT ENTRY (10 MONTHS)

You may qualify for the fast-track program if you have a diploma or degree in a related field. For details visit program C130.

Your Field Education Options

Students complete a seven-week field placement in each semester of the program. During this time, students have the opportunity to work with children of different age groups in a variety of settings.

Field placement provides a continuum of experience that gives students the opportunity to integrate and apply theory to practice.

To support student learning outcomes and ensure you have access to facilities that reflect the best practices we consider essential, we own and operate 12 child care centres located across the Greater Toronto Area. These lab schools expose you to the kinds of environments where you will eventually work and provide valuable services to the families and communities that they serve.

Program Learning Outcomes

The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:

  1. Design, implement and evaluate inclusive and play-based early learning curriculum and programs that support children’s holistic development and are responsive to individual children’s and groups of children’s observed abilities, interests and ideas.
  2. Establish and maintain inclusive early learning environments that support diverse, equitable and accessible developmental and learning opportunities for all children and their families.
  3. Select and use a variety of screening tools, observation and documentation strategies to review, support and promote children’s learning across the continuum of early childhood development.
  4. Establish and maintain responsive relationships with individual children, groups of children and families.
  5. Assess, develop and maintain safe, healthy and quality early learning environments which meet the requirements of current legislation, agency policies and evidence-based practices in early learning.
  6. Prepare and use professional written, verbal, nonverbal and electronic communications when working with children, families, colleagues, employers, and community partners.
  7. Identify, select and apply relevant legislation, regulations, College of Early Childhood Educators Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics, policies and evidence-based practice guidelines, and interpret their impact on a variety of early learning environments.
  8. Apply a developing personal philosophy of early learning in accordance with ethical and professional standards of early childhood education practice.
  9. Advocate for quality early learning environments and collaborate with members of the early learning team, families and community partners to establish and promote such settings.
  10. Engage in reflective practice, develop learning goals and maintain an ongoing professional development plan in accordance with evidence-based practices in early learning and related fields.
  11. Plan, implement and evaluate Indigenous early learning curriculum, programs and environments that promote children’s, families and communities knowledge of and respect for Indigenous peoples and their cultures.

Courses

Required Courses

SEMESTER 1

semester courses
CodeCourse Name
ECE1075Foundations of ECE
PSY1075Infant and Child Development
ECE1069Health, Safety and Nutrition
ECE1070Interpersonal Communication
ECE1181Integrated Seminar 1
ECE2045Applied Curriculum
ECE1024Field Practice I for ECE
COMM1007College English

SEMESTER 2

semester courses
CodeCourse Name
ECE1075Foundations of ECE
PSY1075Infant and Child Development
ECE1069Health, Safety and Nutrition
ECE1070Interpersonal Communication
ECE1026Field Practice II
GSSC1064Introduction to Sociology
ECE1089Observation, Planning and Evaluation
ECE1182Integrated Seminar II
ECE2045Applied Curriculum
ECE1000Professional Development Workshop 1

SEMESTER 3

semester courses
CodeCourse Name
ECE2048Policy, Advocacy and Legislation
ECE2049Inclusion In Early Childhood
ECE2050Working with Families
ECE2014Field Practice III
GHUM1041History of Social Policy in Canada
ECE1080Professional Development Workshop 2
ECE2053Curriculum Theory
ECE2056Creative Curriculum
ECE1183Integrated Seminar III
GNEDGeneral Education Elective

SEMESTER 4

semester courses
CodeCourse Name
ECE2048Policy, Advocacy and Legislation
ECE2049Inclusion In Early Childhood
ECE2050Working with Families
ECE2017Field Practice IV
GHUM1041History of Social Policy in Canada
ECE1080Professional Development Workshop 2
ECE2053Curriculum Theory
ECE1184Integrated Seminar IV
GNEDGeneral Education Elective

Detailed course outlines

General Education Electives

Career & Postgraduate Study Opportunities

Your Career

Graduates of this program may find employment in:

  • child care centres
  • early years centres
  • full-day Kindergarten
  • parent resource centres
  • pediatric playrooms
  • special education settings
  • integrated kindergartens
  • therapeutic nursery programs
  • in-home care

Future Study Options

Students who complete the Early Childhood Education program with a GPA of 2.5 or higher may apply to complete the bridge courses for entry into the third year of the Honours Bachelor of Early Childhood Leadership program (C301).

Your Early Childhood Education diploma will give you credit towards degree programs at other institutions. It also makes you eligible for entrance to Ontario’s College of Early Childhood Educators.

For information on future study options, see georgebrown.ca/transferguide

Tuition and Fees

Domestic Tuition

$4,158.00 *

Additional Costs

* Amounts listed are the total of tuition, materials, student service and ancillary fees for the first two semesters of programs starting in Fall 2018. Fees are subject to change for programs starting in Fall 2019 and at later dates.

International students: Visit the International Fees and Related Costs page for more information.

International Students

Visit the International Fees and Related Costs page for more information. 

Disclaimer: The information contained in this website is subject to change without notice. It should not be viewed as a representation, offer or warranty. Students are responsible for verifying George Brown College fee requirements.

How to Qualify and Apply

Admission Requirements

Applicants are selected on the basis of their academic achievement, including the required courses, and any other selection criteria outlined below.

  • Ontario Secondary School Diploma or equivalent**
  • Grade 12 English (C or U) PLUS any additional (3) Grade 12 C, U, M or Grade 11 C, U or M credits
  • Mandatory Information session – Only applicants who receive a conditional offer will be required to attend the information session. Other arrangements will be made for applicants who live outside the Greater Toronto Area and/or are unable to attend the information session.

** Mature Student status (19 years of age or older and no OSSD)

Mature Students may take the Admissions Assessment for English, OR may consider upgrading to achieve the credit(s) needed in English.

Please note that George Brown is committed to ensuring that applicants will succeed in their program of choice and meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission to the program. Applicants may be required to have grades higher than the minimum requirements stated.

Course Exemptions

College or university credits may qualify you for course exemptions. Please visit georgebrown.ca/transferguide for more information.

International Students

Visit the International Admissions page for more information.

International Students

Visit the International Admissions page for more information regarding country specific admission requirements.  

Special Requirements

Field placement is a mandatory and complex component of the program. Should accommodation issues arise, an Accessible Learning Consultant may be called upon to assist the applicant in determining whether she/he can meet the requirements necessary for safe caregiving for young children.

In compliance with requests from our student placement partners and requirements from Public Health and Ontario legislation, all students in this program must have completed the following prior to beginning field placement:

  • Standard First Aid with CPR level C course
  • Police Vulnerable Sector Check
  • Medical Clearance

Students who are unable to provide completed field clearance documents may be unable to complete their field placement and, therefore, be unable to complete the program.

For more information on the ECE Field Placement requirements, please email ece@georgebrown.ca

How to Apply

Apply To

Domestic students should apply through Ontario Colleges

International Students

Visit the How to Apply page for more information on how and when to apply. 

International students should apply through the George Brown College Online Application System.

Student Success

Alice Lee, 2016 Graduate

"By the end of first year, I had gained knowledge from courses that I was able to apply to my field placements. That hands-on experience was invaluable to me because the placements were immersive and allowed me to grow and experience diversity. All of this helped me get a job immediately upon graduating!"

Contact Us

School of Early Childhood

Phone: 416-415-5000, ext. 2310

Email: ece@georgebrown.ca

Our office hours are 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

For more information about George Brown College, you may also call the Contact Centre at 416-415-2000 (TTY 1-877-515-5559) or long distance 1-800-265-2002.

International Students

Contact one of our international recruitment representatives specializing by country of origin by either booking a virtual meeting or submitting an inquiry. For more information visit the International Contact Us page

Sign up and learn more about your options, our programs, and life at George Brown.