Early Childhood Education Program (Consecutive Diploma/Degree) (C118)

Program Description

Program Overview

Launch your career in early childhood education with both a diploma and a degree with the four-year Early Childhood Education (Consecutive Diploma/Degree) (C118) program—a joint program with Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU). 

Full Description

This Early Childhood Education program is currently offering a $2,000 tuition grant to domestic students starting in September 2024.*

ACCELERATED OPTION (16 consecutive months) 

If you are eager to enter the field and can study without significant breaks, we offer an accelerated stream for 16 consecutive months (four continuous semesters). Visit the Early Childhood Education (Accelerated) (C160) program page for more details. 

FAST-TRACK – DIRECT ENTRY (10 months) 

You may qualify for the Fast-Track program with a diploma or degree in a related field. Visit the Early Childhood Education (Fast-Track) (C130) program page for more details. 

*This opportunity is funded in partnership with the City of Torontothe Region of Durhamthe Region of Peel, the Province of Ontario, and the 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.

logos for City of Toronto, Durham Region and Region of Peel

As a graduate of the four-year Early Childhood Education (Consecutive Diploma/Degree) (C118) program, you'll enter the workforce with two credentials—an Early Childhood Education (ECE) diploma from George Brown College (GBC) and a Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Studies from Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU). This program offers other advantages, including college-level tuition fees for the first two years, rather than higher university fees, and the expanded career scope and direction the two credentials can provide. 

This program alternates between in-class learning and field placement to help you develop confidence in your skills as you apply concepts from the classroom to a real-world setting. 

During years one and two (GBC diploma), you will learn: 

  • the holistic development of infants, toddlers, preschoolers and school-aged children 
  • how to support children as they grow
  • how to plan and implement programs that support children's learning  

You will also engage with families and the broader community. 

In years three and four (TMU degree), you will: 

  • study policy, advocacy and legislation as they relate to the early childhood sector 
  • explore the cognitive development of young children as it relates to literacy, creativity, science, technology, and more
  • engage in a research project 

Your Field Education Options

Field placement plays a significant role in this Early Childhood Education Consecutive Diploma/Degree program by providing students the opportunity to integrate and apply classroom theory to practice.

Placements are offered in semesters 1, 2, 3 and 4 for three days per week, seven weeks per semester. During this time, students will have the chance to work with children of different age groups in a variety of settings.

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 1,000 children and their families each year. These 12 child care centres, located across Toronto, 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.

Please note: Some field placement partners may require students to show proof of full vaccination against COVID-19 (a person is considered fully vaccinated 14 days after the second dose). As such, students not fully vaccinated against COVID-19 may be unable to complete their program's required field placement component in the regularly scheduled time frame. 

Career & Postgraduate Study Opportunities

Career Options

Graduates of this Early Childhood Education Consecutive Diploma/Degree 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

Industry

Successful completion of this Early Childhood Education Consecutive Diploma/Degree program will make you eligible for entrance to Ontario's College of Early Childhood Educators as a Registered Early Childhood Educator. 

Graduates of this program will:

  • Learn to design curriculum for child-centred, play-based learning
  • Support children’s learning and development by responding to their unique needs and interests
  • Build caring relationships with children, families and communities
  • Create safe, healthy and inclusive early learning environments

Educational Pathways

Students who complete the Early Childhood Education diploma program with a GPA of 2.70 or higher may apply to complete the bridge courses for entry into the third year of George Brown's Honours Bachelor of Early Childhood Leadership (Degree Completion) program.

For information on future study options, see the transfer guide.

Alumni Impact

We are immensely proud of the contributions of our alumni in Toronto and around the globe.

From Michelin-starred restaurants to major construction, entertainment, community and financial organizations, our graduates are truly making an impact across a range of industries.

Latest Alumni Stories

Narmin Pirani was finishing her bachelor’s degree in sociology when she took a job in a hospital child care centre to help pay her bills. That’s where she found her true calling.

"I discovered that I loved working with little kids. It came naturally to me, and I knew it was the kind of job that I’d look forward to every day," she remembers.

Narmin knew she'd need training if she wanted to get serious. When she looked at the options, George Brown College's Early Childhood Education program interested her right away, particularly the seven weeks of in-class followed by the seven weeks of field placement.

"The courses at George Brown sounded more academic compared to the other ECE programs I was considering, but the main thing that appealed [to me] was the amount of field placement," says Narmin. "We learned how to handle every possible situation in the classroom, but then when you have to use that information for real, you discover all the things that can't be taught in a book. There’s no better way to learn."

Narmin Pirani
Ontario College Diploma
Toronto Metropolitan University Bachelor's Degree

Visit and discover life in our campus

Book campus tour

Get answers to your questions

Book info session

Sign up to receive tailored resources to make your application, your way.

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