Early Childhood Education Program (Consecutive Diploma/GBC Degree) (C148)

2022-20232023-2024

Compare up to 3 programs

Overview

Program Overview

$2,000 Tuition Grant
All domestic students who accept their offer to the September 2022 or January 2023 intake for (C148) will receive a one-time tuition grant of $2,000. Upon enrolling in this program, your account will be automatically updated and your fees will be reduced by $2,000. No further action is required *

Early Childhood Education (Consecutive Diploma/Degree) is a program that offers many distinct advantages, including the ability to graduate with both an Early Childhood Education diploma and an Honours Bachelor of Early Childhood Leadership degree from George Brown College.

Full Description

$2,000 Tuition Grant
All domestic students who accept their offer to the September 2022 or January 2023 intake for (C148) will receive a one-time tuition grant of $2,000. Upon enrolling in this program, your account will be automatically updated and your fees will be reduced by $2,000. No further action is required *

Early Childhood Education (Consecutive Diploma/Degree) is a four-year program that leads to both an Early Childhood Education (ECE) diploma and an Honours Bachelor of Early Childhood Leadership (ECL) degree from George Brown College.

Years 1 & 2 – Earn Your ECE Diploma

In the first two years of this program, you will earn your ECE diploma. During that time, you will learn how to support children as they grow. You will study this holistic development of infants (from six weeks), toddlers, preschoolers and school-aged children (to 12 years). You will learn how to plan and implement programs that support children's learning and have an opportunity to engage with families and the broader community. 

Years 3 & 4 – Earn Your ECL Degree

In the second two years, you will earn your ECL degree. During this time, you will take an in-depth look at leadership and will study pedagogy and policy as it relates to the Early Childhood sector.

In the spring/summer semester following the third year, you will participate in a 10-week internship* in the sector and have the opportunity to focus on an area of research, policy or practice. You will learn to conduct research and will complete a research project in an area of your choice.  

*PLEASE NOTE: This is an unpaid internship and is a required element of the degree program.

Throughout the program, you will gain significant experience in the field, alternating between in-class learning and field placement. This method of teaching helps you build your skills as an ECE practitioner and as a leader, 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 leaders in the early childhood sector on day one. 

This consecutive diploma/degree program offers some distinct advantages:

  • college-level tuition fees for the first two years, rather than higher university fees
  • classes with George Brown College faculty who are national leaders in applied ECE
  • practical training at one of George Brown’s 12 child-care lab schools located across the Greater Toronto Area
  • direct entry into the third year of the George Brown College degree program
  • expanded career scope and direction by earning both a diploma in ECE and a degree in ECL

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.

 

*This opportunity is funded in partnership with the City of Toronto, The Region of Peel, The Region of Durham, The Region of Halton, 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.

logos for City of Toronto and Regions of Peel, Durham and Halton

Your Field Education Options

Field placement plays a significant role in this 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 two days per week, 14 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 that our students 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 (GTA). 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’ 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 1069Health Safety and Nutrition
ECE 1076Observation, Planning and Evaluation
ECE 1070Interpersonal Communication 
ECE 1075Foundations of ECE
ECE 2045Applied Curriculum
ECL 1205Composition and Rhetoric
PSY 1075Infant and Child Development
Select one Liberal Studies Elective

SEMESTER 2

CodeCourse Name
ECE 1069Health Safety and Nutrition
ECE 1076Observation, Planning and Evaluation
ECE 2045Applied Curriculum
ECE 1092Field Practice I
ECE 1181Integrated Seminar I
ECL 1202Personal Wellness
LSSC 1211Introduction to Sociology
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 1093Field Practice II
ECE 1182Integrated Seminar II
ECE 2053Curriculum Theory
ECE 2054Competent Learner/Reflective Practitioner
ECE 2056Creative Curriculum
ECE 2057Current Issues
ECE 2062Field Practice Tutorial II
ECL 2201Human Development Fundamental Relationships

SEMESTER 4

CodeCourse Name
ECE 1080Professional Development Workshop 2
ECE 1201Language Development
ECE 2053Curriculum Theory
ECE 2048Policy Advocacy Legislation
ECE 2049Inclusion in Early Childhood
ECE 2050 Working With Families
ECE 2060Field Practice III
ECE 1183Integrated Seminar III
ECE 2063Field Practice Tutorial III
Select one Liberal Studies Elective

Career & Postgraduate Study Opportunities

Career Options

Graduates of this degree program will have the knowledge and practice base to influence pedagogy and curriculum. They will be prepared to move into supervisory, director and curriculum leadership positions in a full range of early childhood programs as their careers unfold or as they pursue further study.

This program prepares graduates for positions as Registered Early Childhood Educators, working in partnership with certified teachers in the Full-Day Early Learning programs that are replacing junior and senior kindergarten.

Graduates may find work in a variety of early childhood settings, including:

  • 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
  • family drop-in programs
  • early intervention services
  • family support programs

Emerging Best Start Child and Family Centres will be integrated with existing early childhood programs and graduates will be well positioned to assume leadership positions within these centres.

Educational Pathways

Students who complete the Early Childhood Education program with a GPA of 2.50 or higher will enter into the third year of the Honours Bachelor of Early Childhood Leadership (C301) program.

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

$3,988.00 * †

International Tuition

$17,077.00 ** †

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.

† In addition, students in C148 are required to take a university-level general education course for which an extra fee will be charged (semesters 1, 2, 3, 4).

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

  • Ontario Secondary School Diploma with six grade 12 university (U) or university/college (M) courses, with a combined average of 65 per cent or higher
  • grade 12 English (U) with a grade of 60 per cent or higher
  • grade 11 mathematics (M or U) or science (M or U) or grade 12 mathematics (U) or grade 12 science (M or U)

OR

Mature student status: 19 years or older on the first day of class:

  • grade 12 English (U) with a grade of 60 per cent or higher
  • grade 11 mathematics (M or U) or science (M or U) or grade 12 mathematics (U) or grade 12 science (M or U)
  • English and math/science with a combined average higher than 65 per cent
  • Post-secondary credits in English and math/science will also be considered (certain courses only)

Please note: subject to competition, applicants may be required to have grades/averages above the minimum.

There is no admissions assessment (testing) for this program.

** There is no mature student testing in the required credits for degree programs. Mature applicants must have the English and math/science credits required. Additional information on where and how to upgrade can be found on the English and math upgrading pages.

ENGLISH LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY

George Brown College ESL Level 9; TOEFL 84 overall and 21 in each skill band (online); IELTS 6.5 overall and 6.0 in each skill band; MELAB 85; CAEL overall 70 (writing 60).

Please visit English Proficiency page for more details.

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

Raymund Hip Loy Lee (Student 2021, Consecutive Diploma/GBC Degree)

To learn about the George Brown College student experience in the Early Childhood Education (Consecutive Diploma/GBC Degree) (C148) program, watch this short testimonial.

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 (Consecutive Diploma/GBC Degree) (C148)

2022-20232023-2024

Compare up to 3 programs

Overview

Program Overview

Early Childhood Education (Consecutive Diploma/Degree) is a program that offers many distinct advantages, including the ability to graduate with both an Early Childhood Education diploma and an Honours Bachelor of Early Childhood Leadership degree from George Brown College.

Full Description

Early Childhood Education (Consecutive Diploma/Degree) is a four-year program that leads to both an Early Childhood Education (ECE) diploma and an Honours Bachelor of Early Childhood Leadership (ECL) degree from George Brown College.

This program offers some distinct advantages:

  • college-level tuition fees for the first two years, rather than higher university fees
  • classes with George Brown College faculty who are national leaders in applied ECE
  • practical training at one of George Brown’s 12 child-care lab schools located across the Greater Toronto Area
  • direct entry into the third year of the George Brown College degree program
  • expanded career scope and direction by earning both a diploma in ECE and a degree in ECL

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.

Your Field Education Options

Field placement plays a significant role in this 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 two days per week, 14 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 that our students 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
ECE 1069Health Safety and Nutrition
PSY 1075Infant and Child Development
ECE 1070Interpersonal Communication
ECE 1075Foundations of ECE
ECE 1181Integrated Seminar 1
ECE 1024Field Practice 1
ECL 1205Composition and Rhetoric
LIBS????Liberal Studies Elective

SEMESTER 2

CodeCourse Name
ECE 1069Health Safety and Nutrition
ECE 1089Observation, Planning and Evaluation
ECE 2045Applied Curriculum
LSSC 1211Introduction to Sociology
ECE 1026Field Practice II
ECE 1182Integrated Seminar II
ECL 1202Personal Wellness
ECE 1000Professional Development Workshop 1

SEMESTER 3

CodeCourse Name
ECE 2049Inclusion in Early Childhood
ECE 2050Working With Families
ECE 2054Competent Learner/Reflective Practitioner
ECE 2056Creative Curriculum
ECE 2053Curriculum Theory
ECE 2014Field Practice III
ECE 1183Integrated Seminar III
ECL 1301Human Development - Early Years

SEMESTER 4

CodeCourse Name
ECE 2053Curriculum Theory
ECE 2048Policy Advocacy Legislation
ECE 1080Professional Development Workshop 2
LHUM 1215Social Policy in Canada
ECE 2017Field Practice IV
ECE 1184Integrated Seminar IV
ECE 2057Current Issues
LIBS????Liberal Studies Elective

Career & Postgraduate Study Opportunities

Your Career

Graduates may find work in a variety of early childhood settings, including:

  • 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
  • family drop-in programs
  • early intervention services
  • family support programs

Emerging Best Start Child and Family Centres will be integrated with existing early childhood programs and graduates will be well positioned to assume leadership positions within these centres.

Career Options

Graduates of this degree program will have the knowledge and practice base to influence pedagogy and curriculum. They will be prepared to move into supervisory, director and curriculum leadership positions in a full range of early childhood programs as their careers unfold or as they pursue further study.

This program prepares graduates for positions as Registered Early Childhood Educators, working in partnership with certified teachers in the Full-Day Early Learning programs that are replacing junior and senior kindergarten.

Educational Pathways

Students who complete the Early Childhood Education program with a GPA of 2.50 or higher will enter into the third year of the Honours Bachelor of Early Childhood Leadership (C301) program.

Future Study Options

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

$3,995.00 *†

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.

† In addition, students in C148 are required to take a university-level general education course for which an extra fee will be charged (semester 1, 2, 3, 4).

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

  • Ontario Secondary School Diploma with six Grade 12 University (U) or University/College (M) courses, with a combined average of 65% or higher
  • Grade 12 English (U) with a grade of 60% or higher
  • Grade 11 Mathematics (M or U) or Science (M or U) or Grade 12 Mathematics (U) or Grade 12 Science (M or U)

OR

Mature student status: 19 years or older on the first day of class:

  • Grade 12 English (U) with a grade of 60% or higher
  • Grade 11 Mathematics (M or U) or Science (M or U) or Grade 12 Mathematics (U) or Grade 12 Science (M or U)
  • English and Math/Science with a combined average higher than 65%
  • Post-secondary credits in English and Math/Science will also be considered (certain courses only)

Please note: Subject to competition, applicants may be required to have grades/averages above the minimum.

There is no admissions assessment (testing) for this program.

** There is no mature student testing in the required credits for degree programs. Mature applicants must have the English and Math/Science credits required.

Mature student applicants, who require Grade 12 University (U-level) credits for their application to a George Brown degree program, may consider completing our on-campus Degree Preparation (U-level) Courses at no extra cost. Additional information on where and how to upgrade can be found on the English and Math upgrading pages.

ENGLISH LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY

George Brown College ESL Level 9; TOEFL 84 overall and 21 in each skill band (Online); IELTS 6.5 overall and 6.0 in each skill band; MELAB 85; CAEL overall 70 (writing 60).

Please visit English Proficiency page for more details.

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

Raymund Hip Loy Lee (Student 2021, Consecutive Diploma/GBC Degree)

To learn about the George Brown College student experience in the Early Childhood Education (Consecutive Diploma/GBC Degree) (C148) program, watch this short testimonial.

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 (Consecutive Diploma/GBC Degree) (C148)

2022-20232023-2024
  • Program Name:
    Early Childhood Education
  • Code: C148
  • Credential:
    George Brown College Bachelor's Degree
    Ontario College Diploma
  • Method of Study:
    Full-time
  • Duration:
    4 years (8 semesters) 2 years diploma / 2 years degree C301
  • Centre:
  • School: Early Childhood
  • Location: George Brown College at Toronto Metropolitan University Campus
  • Starting Months: January, September
  • Domestic Tuition:
    $3,971.00 *†
  • Experiential Learning:

    Field Placement

  • Fall 2020 Delivery Method:
    Online (on-campus activities will resume as soon as it is safe to do so)

Compare up to 3 programs

Overview

Program Overview

Early Childhood Education (Consecutive Diploma/Degree) is a program that offers many distinct advantages, including the ability to graduate with both an Early Childhood Education diploma and an Honours Bachelor of Early Childhood Leadership degree from George Brown College.

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 web camera, a microphone and Google Chrome or Firefox as a web browser.

Early Childhood Education (Consecutive Diploma/Degree) is a four-year program that leads to both an Early Childhood Education (ECE) diploma and an Honours Bachelor of Early Childhood Leadership degree from George Brown College.

This program offers some distinct advantages:

  • college-level tuition fees for the first two years, rather than higher university fees
  • classes with George Brown College faculty who are national leaders in applied ECE
  • practical training at one of George Brown’s 12 child-care lab schools located across the Greater Toronto Area
  • direct entry into the third year of the George Brown College degree program
  • expanded career scope and direction by earning both a diploma and degree in ECE

Your Field Education Options

Field placement plays a significant role in this 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 two days per week, 14 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 that our students 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
ECE 1069Health Safety and Nutrition
PSY 1075Infant and Child Development
ECE1070Interpersonal Communication
ECE1075Foundations of ECE
ECL 1205Composition and Rhetoric
ECE1000Professional Development Workshop I
ECE1076Observation, Planning and Evaluation
LIBS????Liberal Studies Elective

SEMESTER 2

semester courses
CodeCourse Name
ECE2045Applied Curriculum
LSSC1211Introduction to Sociology
ECL 1202Personal Wellness
ECE1076Observation, Planning and Evaluation
ECE 1024Field Practice I
ECE1181Integrated Seminar I

SEMESTER 3

semester courses
CodeCourse Name
ECE 2049Inclusion in Early Childhood
ECE 2050Working With Families
ECE2054Competent Learner/Reflective Practitioner
ECE 2056Creative Curriculum
ECE2053Curriculum Theory
ECL 1301Human Development - Early Years
ECE1026Field Practice II
ECE1182Integrated Seminar II

SEMESTER 4

semester courses
CodeCourse Name
ECE 2053Curriculum Theory
ECE 2048Policy Advocacy Legislation
ECE 1080Professional Development Workshop II
LHUM 1215Social Policy in Canada
ECE2014Field Practice III
ECE1183Integrated Seminar III
ECE2057Current Issues
LIBS????Liberal Studies Elective

Career & Postgraduate Study Opportunities

Your Career

Graduates may find work in a variety of early childhood settings, including:

  • child-care centres
  • family drop-in programs
  • early intervention services
  • family support programs

Emerging Best Start Child and Family Centres will be integrated with existing early childhood programs and graduates will be well positioned to assume leadership positions within these centres.

Career Options

Graduates of this degree program will have the knowledge and practice base to influence pedagogy and curriculum. They will be prepared to move into supervisory, director and curriculum leadership positions in a full range of early childhood programs as their careers unfold or as they pursue further study.

This program prepares graduates for positions as Registered Early Childhood Educators, working in partnership with certified teachers in the Full-Day Early Learning programs that are replacing junior and senior kindergarten.

Future Study Options

Students who complete the Early Childhood Education program with a GPA of 2.50 or higher will enter into the third year of the Honours Bachelor of Early Childhood Leadership (C301) program.

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

$3,971.00 *†

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.

† In addition, students in C148 are required to take a university-level general education course for which an extra fee will be charged (semester 1, 2, 3, 4).

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

The OSAP eligibility for this program has yet to be reviewed by the Ministry.

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

  • Ontario Secondary School Diploma with six Grade 12 University (U) or University/College (M) courses, with a combined average of 65% or higher
  • Grade 12 English (U) with a grade of 60% or higher
  • Grade 11 Mathematics (M or U) or Science (M or U) or Grade 12 Mathematics (U) or Grade 12 Science (M or U)

OR

Mature student status: 19 years or older on the first day of class:

  • Grade 12 English (U) with a grade of 60% or higher
  • Grade 11 Mathematics (M or U) or Science (M or U) or Grade 12 Mathematics (U) or Grade 12 Science (M or U)
  • English and Math/Science with a combined average higher than 65%
  • Post-secondary credits in English and Math/Science will also be considered (certain courses only)

Please note: Subject to competition, applicants may be required to have grades/averages above the minimum.

There is no admissions assessment (testing) for this program.

** There is no mature student testing in the required credits for degree programs. Mature applicants must have the English and Math/Science credits required.

Mature student applicants, who require Grade 12 University (U-level) credits for their application to a George Brown degree program, may consider completing our on-campus Degree Preparation (U-level) Courses at no extra cost. Additional information on where and how to upgrade can be found on the English and Math upgrading pages.

ENGLISH LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY

George Brown College ESL Level 9; TOEFL 84 overall and 21 in each skill band (Online); IELTS 6.5 overall and 6.0 in each skill band; MELAB 85; CAEL overall 70 (writing 60).

Please visit georgebrown.ca/englishproficiency for more details.

COURSE EXEMPTIONS

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

INTERNATIONAL (VISA) 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.

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 (Consecutive Diploma/GBC Degree) (C148)

2022-20232023-2024

Compare up to 3 programs

Overview

Program Overview

Early Childhood Education (Consecutive Diploma/GBC Degree) is a program that offers many distinct advantages, including the ability to graduate with both an Early Childhood Education diploma and an Honours Bachelor of Early Childhood Leadership degree from George Brown College.

Full Description

Early Childhood Education (Consecutive Diploma/GBC Degree) is a four-year program that leads to both an Early Childhood Education (ECE) diploma and an Honours Bachelor of Early Childhood Leadership degree from George Brown College.

This program offers some distinct advantages:

  • college-level tuition fees for the first two years, rather than higher university fees
  • classes with George Brown College faculty who are national leaders in applied ECE
  • practical training at one of George Brown’s 12 child-care lab schools located across the Greater Toronto Area
  • direct entry into the third year of the George Brown College degree program
  • expanded career scope and direction by earning both a diploma and degree in ECE

Your Field Education Options

Field placement plays a significant role in this 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 two days per week, 14 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 that our students 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
ECE 1069Health Safety and Nutrition
PSY 1075Infant and Child Development
ECE1070Interpersonal Communication
ECE1075Foundations of ECE
ECE1181Integrated Seminar 1
ECE 1024Field Practice 1 
ECL 1205Composition and Rhetoric
LIBS????Liberal Studies Elective

SEMESTER 2

semester courses
CodeCourse Name
ECE 1069Health Safety and Nutrition
ECE1089Observation, Planning and Evaluation
ECE2045Applied Curriculum
LSSC1211Introduction to Sociology 
ECE1026Field Practice II
ECE 1182Integrated Seminar II
ECL 1202Personal Wellness
ECE 1000Professional Development Workshop 1

SEMESTER 3

semester courses
CodeCourse Name
ECE 2049Inclusion in Early Childhood
ECE 2050Working With Families
ECE2054Competent Learner/Reflective Practitioner
ECE 2056Creative Curriculum
ECE2053Curriculum Theory
ECE2014Field Practice III
ECE1183Integrated Seminar III
ECL 1301Human Development - Early Years

SEMESTER 4

semester courses
CodeCourse Name
ECE 2053Curriculum Theory
ECE 2048Policy Advocacy Legislation
ECE 1080Professional Development Workshop 2
LHUM 1215Social Policy in Canada
ECE 2017Field Practice IV
ECE 1184Integrated Seminar IV
LIBS????Liberal Studies Elective

Detailed course outlines

Career & Postgraduate Study Opportunities

Your Career

Graduates may find work in a variety of early childhood settings, including:

  • child-care centres
  • family drop-in programs
  • early intervention services
  • family support programs

Emerging Best Start Child and Family Centres will be integrated with existing early childhood programs and graduates will be well positioned to assume leadership positions within these centres.

Career Options

Graduates of this consecutive diploma/degree program will have the knowledge and practice base to influence pedagogy and curriculum. They will be prepared to move into supervisory, director and curriculum leadership positions in a full range of early childhood programs as their careers unfold or as they pursue further study.

This program prepares graduates for positions as Registered Early Childhood Educators, working in partnership with certified teachers in the Full-Day Early Learning programs that are replacing junior and senior kindergarten.

Future Study Options

Students who complete the Early Childhood Education program with a GPA of 2.50 or higher will enter into the third year of the Honours Bachelor of Early Childhood Leadership (C301) program.

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

$3,971.00 *†

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.

† In addition, students in C148 are required to take a university-level general education course for which an extra fee will be charged (semester 1, 2, 3, 4).

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

The OSAP eligibility for this program has yet to be reviewed by the Ministry

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

  • Ontario Secondary School Diploma with six Grade 12 University (U) or University/College (M) courses, with a combined average of 65% or higher
  • Grade 12 English (U) with a grade of 60% or higher
  • Grade 11 Mathematics (M or U) or Science (M or U) or Grade 12 Mathematics (U) or Grade 12 Science (M or U)

OR

Mature student status: 19 years or older on the first day of class:

  • Grade 12 English (U) with a grade of 60% or higher
  • Grade 11 Mathematics (M or U) or Science (M or U) or Grade 12 Mathematics (U) or Grade 12 Science (M or U)
  • English and Math/Science with a combined average higher than 65%
  • Post-secondary credits in English and Math/Science will also be considered (certain courses only)

Please note: Subject to competition, applicants may be required to have grades/averages above the minimum.

There is no admissions assessment (testing) for this program.

** There is no mature student testing in the required credits for degree programs. Mature applicants must have the English and Math/Science credits required.

Mature student applicants, who require Grade 12 University (U-level) credits for their application to a George Brown degree program, may consider completing our on-campus Degree Preparation (U-level) Courses at no extra cost. Additional information on where and how to upgrade can be found on the English and Math upgrading pages.

ENGLISH LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY

George Brown College ESL Level 9; TOEFL 84 overall and 21 in each skill band (Online); IELTS 6.5 overall and 6.0 in each skill band; MELAB 85; CAEL overall 70 (writing 60).

Please visit georgebrown.ca/englishproficiency for more details.

COURSE EXEMPTIONS

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

INTERNATIONAL (VISA) 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.

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.