Early Childhood Education Program (Fast-Track) (C130)

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

The Early Childhood Education (Fast-Track) program is designed for graduates with a diploma or degree in a related field. Students gain skills and knowledge through alternating blocks of classroom theory and field practice, providing theoretical and practical training with infants, toddlers, preschool and school-aged children in a variety of early childhood education settings.

Full Description

The Early Childhood Education (Fast-Track) program is designed for graduates with a diploma or degree in a related field.

In this condensed diploma program, you will learn how to support children as they grow. You’ll study the physical, cognitive, social and emotional development stages of infants (from six weeks), toddlers, preschoolers and school-aged children (to 12 years) 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 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.

Your Field Education Options

Students complete a seven-week field placement in each semester of the program. During this time, they will 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 operate Ontario's largest network of college-run lab school 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 3

CodeCourse Name
ECE 1069Health, Safety & Nutrition
ECE 2048Policy, Advocacy and Legislation
ECE 2049Inclusion in Early Childhood
ECE 1093Field Practice II
ECE 1182Integrated Seminar II
ECE 1080Professional Development Workshop 2
ECE 2053Curriculum Theory
ECE 2056Creative Curriculum
ECE 2057Current Issues
ECE 2061Social Policy in the Early Years
ECE 2062Field Practice Tutorial II
GNEDGeneral Education Elective

SEMESTER 4

CodeCourse Name
ECE 2048Policy, Advocacy and Legislation
ECE 2049Inclusion in Early Childhood
ECE 2050Working with Families
ECE 2060Field Practice III
ECE 1183Integrated Seminar III
ECE 2053Curriculum Theory
ECE 2063Field Practice Tutorial III
GNEDGeneral Education Elective

Career & Postgraduate Study Opportunities

Career Options

Graduates of this program may find employment in:

  • child care centres
  • early years centres
  • 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 (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

$3,977.00* †

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.

† In addition, students in C130 are required to take a preparatory course for which an extra fee will be charged (prior to semester 3).

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

  • Degree or diploma in a related field.

OR

  • One year completed of an Early Childhood Education credential, plus experience working with children (resumé required).

All qualified applicants must also complete the following as part of the review process:

  • Online information session, during which you will be required to complete a digital questionnaire. Other arrangements will be made for those unable to attend the session.
  • Questionnaire.
  • Interview.
  • Successful completion of a two-week orientation course in June+.

    +There is a fee for the two-week orientation course. Applicants who fail the course will not be allowed to continue in the program.

Applicants must apply by July 25, 2022 to be considered for this program. 

Please note: successful applicants must complete a two-week orientation course in August, and a final placement in May of the following year.

* Information sessions are by appointment only and invitations are sent to qualified applicants only.

English Language Proficiency

Domestic applicants with international transcripts who do not provide English proficiency test results must test at the College level in the George Brown College English assessment to be considered for admission.

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.

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 (Fast-Track) (C130)

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

The Early Childhood Education (Fast-Track) program is designed for graduates with a diploma or degree in a related field. Students gain skills and knowledge through alternating blocks of classroom theory and field practice, providing theoretical and practical training with infants, toddlers, preschool and school-aged children in a variety of early childhood education settings.

Full Description

The Early Childhood Education (Fast-Track) program is designed for graduates with a diploma or degree in a related field.

In this condensed diploma program, you will learn how to support children as they grow. You’ll study the physical, cognitive, social and emotional development stages of infants (from six weeks), toddlers, preschoolers and school-aged children (to 12 years), 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.

Your Field Education Options

Students complete a seven-week field placement in each semester of the program. During this time, they will 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 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

Career & Postgraduate Study Opportunities

Your Career

Graduates of this program may find employment in:

  • child care centres
  • early years centres
  • 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 2.50 or higher may apply to complete the bridge courses for entry 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

$3,967.00* †

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 C130 are required to take a preparatory course for which an extra fee will be charged (prior to semester 3).

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

  • Degree or diploma in a related field

OR

  • One year completed of an Early Childhood Education credential, plus experience working with children (resumé required).

All qualified applicants must also complete the following as part of the review process:

  • Online Information Session, during which you will be required to complete a digital questionnaire. Other arrangements will be made for those unable to attend the session.
  • Questionnaire
  • Interview
  • Successful completion of a two-week orientation course in June +

    + There is a fee for the two-week orientation course.  Applicants who fail the course will not be allowed to continue in the program.

Applicants must apply by June 1, 2021 to be considered for this program.

Please note: Successful applicants must complete a two-week orientation course in June, and a final placement in May of the following year.

* Information sessions are by appointment only and invitations are sent to qualified applicants only.

English Language Proficiency

Domestic applicants with international transcripts who do not provide English proficiency test results must test at the College level in the George Brown College English assessment to be considered for admission.

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.

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 (Fast-Track) (C130)

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

The Early Childhood Education (Fast-Track) program is designed for graduates with a diploma or degree in a related field. Students gain skills and knowledge through alternating blocks of classroom theory and field practice, providing theoretical and practical training with infants, toddlers, preschool and school-aged children in a variety of early childhood education 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 web camera, a microphone and Google Chrome or Firefox as a web browser.

The Early Childhood Education (Fast-Track) program is designed for graduates with a diploma or degree in a related field.

Students gain skills and knowledge through alternating blocks of classroom theory and field practice, providing theoretical and practical training in a variety of settings with age groups including:

  • infants (from six weeks)
  • toddlers
  • preschool
  • school-age (to 12 years)

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

Your Field Education Options

Students complete a seven-week field placement in each semester of the program. During this time, they will 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 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

Career & Postgraduate Study Opportunities

Your Career

Graduates of this program may find employment in:

  • child care centres
  • early years centres
  • 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 2.50 or higher may apply to complete the bridge courses for entry 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

$3,924.00* †

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 C130 are required to take a preparatory course for which an extra fee will be charged (prior to semester 3).

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

  • Degree or diploma in a related field

OR

  • One year completed of an Early Childhood Education credential, plus experience working with children (resumé required).

All qualified applicants must also complete the following as part of the review process:

  • Online Information Session, during which you will be required to complete a digital questionnaire. Other arrangements will be made for those unable to attend the session.
  • Questionnaire
  • Interview
  • Successful completion of a two-week orientation course in June +
     

    + There is a fee for the two-week orientation course.  Applicants who fail the course will not be allowed to continue in the program.

Applicants must apply by August 1, 2020 to be considered for this program.

Please note: Successful applicants must complete a two-week orientation course in August, and a final placement in May of the following year.

* Information sessions are by appointment only and invitations are sent to qualified applicants only.

English Language Proficiency

Domestic applicants with international transcripts who do not provide English proficiency test results must test at the College level in the George Brown College English assessment to be considered for admission.

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 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 (Fast-Track) (C130)

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

The Early Childhood Education (Fast-Track) program is designed for graduates with a diploma or degree in a related field. Students gain skills and knowledge through alternating blocks of classroom theory and field practice, providing theoretical and practical training with infants, toddlers, preschool and school-aged children in a variety of early childhood education settings.

Full Description

The Early Childhood Education (Fast-Track) program is designed for graduates with a diploma or degree in a related field.

Students gain skills and knowledge through alternating blocks of classroom theory and field practice, providing theoretical and practical training in a variety of settings with age groups including:

  • infants (from six weeks)
  • toddlers
  • preschool
  • school-age (to 12 years)

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

Your Field Education Options

Students complete a seven-week field placement in each semester of the program. During this time, they will 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 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

Career & Postgraduate Study Opportunities

Your Career

Graduates of this program may find employment in:

  • child care centres
  • early years centres
  • 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 2.50 or higher may apply to complete the bridge courses for entry 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

$4,156.00* †

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.

† In addition, students in C130 are required to take a preparatory course for which an extra fee will be charged (prior to semester 3).

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

  • Degree or diploma in a related field

OR

  • One year completed of an Early Childhood Education credential, plus experience working with children (resumé required).

All qualified applicants must also complete the following as part of the review process:

  • 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.
  • Questionnaire
  • Interview

Applicants must apply by June 1, 2019 to be considered for this program.

Please note: Successful applicants must complete a two-week orientation course in June, and a final placement in May of the following year.

* Information sessions are by appointment only and invitations are sent to qualified applicants only.

English Language Proficiency

Domestic applicants with international transcripts who do not provide English proficiency test results must test at the College level in the George Brown College English assessment to be considered for admission.

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 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

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