"One hundred years from now, it won't matter what you were, or what you achieved -- what will be remembered is how you affected a child." (Anonymous) Early Childhood Educators facilitate growth and learning with young children during the critical, formative years.

 

Program Highlights

This two-year program will equip you to work within a supervised child care environment. You'll learn how to help young children (newborn to age 12) to develop their physical, social, and intellectual skills, as well as their self-confidence and imagination. Highly applicable courses include the role of the educator, child development, introduction to exceptionalities, social psychology, administration and curriculum planning. Classroom learning is applied in field practicums in semesters two and three.

 

 

 

Why Choose Fleming?

Get individual attention from your instructors--and customized field placements that are a benefit of being in a smaller group of students. Fleming's ECE programs have the advantage of integrated learning in the field. Program students in Lindsay participate in a Toddler Program offered on-campus. In Peterborough, the Fleming Childcare Centre, located at St. Joseph's at Fleming,  provides opportunities for students to learn about and play with preschool children. 

 

 

Work Experience

In semesters two and three, you'll put theoretical education to work in a child care environment. This will enrich studies in semester four, when you will be pulling it all together in a field placement. Field placements require a current Police Records Check, and Proof of Immunization. You must provide a current Standard First Aid Certificate and basic CPR Certificate (level C) before graduation. You must be able to lift children up to age five and diaper children of all ages. A background working with young children (ages newborn to 12) in licenced child care centres is strongly recommended as a prerequisite for field placement.

 

What it Takes to Succeed

• Experience working with young children
• Well-adjusted, grounded personality
• A good sense of humour and imagination
• Patience
• Empathy
• Creativity

 

Career Opportunities

After working two years in the field, you will be certified as an Early Childhood Educator. There is an extremely high placement rate in related employment for graduates of Fleming's ECE programs. Early Childhood Educators find work in day care centres, nursery schools, home day care programs, treatment centres, resource services and parent drop-in centres, pediatric hospital wards, and as teacher assistants in primary classrooms. Possibilities that are more exotic include children's programming at resorts (like Club Med) or cruise ships. Graduates are also qualified to become owner-operators of child care centres.

 New! Study Part-Time to Obtain Your Early Childhood Education Diploma

 

 

Minimum Admission Requirements

OSSD with the majority of credits at the College (C) and Open (O) level, including:

• 2 College (C) English courses (Grade 11 or Grade 12)

When (C) is the minimum course level for admission, (U) or (U/C) courses are also accepted. 

Mature Students 

If you are 19 years of age or older before classes start, and you do not possess an OSSD, you can write the Canadian Adult Achievement Test to assess your eligibility for admission. 

* Students starting in January are required to attend classes over the summer semester.

 

Selection Process

 

Related Programs

If you're sincerely interested in working with children, and are not sure yet which path to take, you might want to consider the Educational Assistant, Social Service Worker or Recreation and Leisure Services programs.

 

Health Requirements

Immunization Requirements

This program has immunization requirements. For more information, and to print the required immunization form, please see the Immunization Information page.

 

Additional Costs

Approximately $750 per year for books and supplies.

 

University Transfer Agreements

• Athabasca University
• Griffith University, Queensland, Australia
• Ryerson University
• University of Ontario Institute of Technology

Course	Hours
Semester 1
Communications for Community Development & Health	45.00
Early Childhood Development	45.00
Introduction to Psychology	45.00
Introductory Computing	45.00
Lifestyle/Wellness	45.00
Role of the Educator I	45.00
Semester 2
Child Care Curriculum I	45.00
Field Practice	140.00
Field Preparation I	30.00
Introduction to Exceptionalities	45.00
Observing and Assessing Children	45.00
Role of the Educator II	45.00
Social Psychology	45.00
Semester 3
Field Practice and Evaluation I	245.00
Field Practice and Evaluation II	245.00
Semester 4
Administration of Preschool Programs	45.00
Child Care Option: Infant Care	21.00
Child Care Option: School Age	21.00
Communicating at Work	45.00
Inclusive Programming for Young Children	45.00
Specialized Practicum	45.00
Working with Parents in An Early Childhood Setting	45.00
General Education Elective

Semester 1

Communications for Community Development & Health

Course Number: COMM079

Communications for CD&H, a mandatory Communications course, focuses on improving reading and writing skills through a number of assignments related to the helping professions. Students will demonstrate skills in summary and essay writing as well as research techniques, including appropriate documentation of sources. The principles of style, structure, content, and mechanics constitute the overall framework of the course.

Units: 45.00
Hours: 45.00

Early Childhood Development

Course Number: EDUC084

This course will provide the student with an understanding of the accepted theoretical approaches to childhood development and the normal patterns of growth and development from conception through to age six. Students will be prepared to observe and assess child behaviours for the purpose of documentation.

Units: 45.00
Hours: 45.00

Introduction to Psychology

Course Number: SOCI036

This course offers a systematic approach to exploring human behaviour. The concepts and empirical findings are examined using a variety of theoretical approaches. Major topics include perception, motivation, learning, memory, intelligence, and personality.

Units: 45.00
Hours: 45.00

Introductory Computing

Course Number: COMP345

Working in the Windows XP environment, this computer course introduces the student to computer basics (computer terminology, e-mail, Internet, file management) and the application and use of word processing, spreadsheet, and database software. Through the extensive use of hands-on activities, students will gain sufficient knowledge and experience to make productive use of computers as a tool in both college and workplace environments.

Units: 45.00
Hours: 45.00

Lifestyle/Wellness

Course Number: SOCI068

A balanced lifestyle is referred to as wellness. The learner acquires skills and the ability to recognize components of wellness, to assess personal wellness, and to model a healthy lifestyle to others.

Units: 45.00
Hours: 45.00

Role of the Educator I

Course Number: EDUC021

This course will enable students to develop an awareness of their role as an Early Childhood Educator. Students will examine programming philosophies, the history of the field of E.C.E., and current practices. In addition, the physical well-being of the child will be examined.

Units: 45.00
Hours: 45.00

Semester 2

Child Care Curriculum I

Course Number: EDUC004

In this 45-hour course, students will explore a wide range of curriculum areas, including literature, science, math, music, art, and movement, in order to discover content and materials that are appropriate for preschool-age children, school-age children, and infants. Students will also learn how to provide appropriate opportunities for children to achieve identified curricular goals.

Units: 45.00
Hours: 45.00

Field Practice

Course Number: FLPL048

Field Practice provides the second semester ECE student with an experience with young children in a supervised setting. Placement consists of 20 days. The experience complements and integrates classroom components.Student placements will be in the college laboratory school, day-care centres, and other preschool settings within the Fleming College area.

Units: 140.00
Hours: 140.00

Field Preparation I

Course Number: FLPL062

The three main goals of this course: to provide students with an initial exposure to the field in their program specialty areas; to prepare students to plan and complete future field practice experiences with an agency or organization related to their field of study; to begin the process of developing a professional portfolio.

Units: 30.00
Hours: 30.00

Introduction to Exceptionalities

Course Number: EDUC014

This course will introduce students to the major areas of exceptionality as they are found in children and adults. Knowledge and skills related to individual program planning will also be included.

Units: 45.00
Hours: 45.00

Observing and Assessing Children

Course Number: EDUC085

This course will provide students with a framework for systematically observing children's development and behaviour, documenting using a variety of methods, and reflecting on children's learning. Students will learn how to apply the knowledge gained through this process to enhance the curriculum, the environment, and individual and group experiences.

Units: 45.00
Hours: 45.00

Role of the Educator II

Course Number: EDUC022

This course will include a study of programming philosophies, with an emphasis on community pre-school programs and the Sir Sandford Fleming Child Care Centre. Students will also examine the role of the educator in blending programming and childrens play.

Units: 45.00
Hours: 45.00

Social Psychology

Course Number: SOCI059

This course is designed to assist students' personal development and understanding of social relationships in a culturally diverse world. The emphasis is on the development of social and interpersonal skills to foster effective work teams and personal relationships.

Units: 45.00
Hours: 45.00

Semester 3

Field Practice and Evaluation I

Course Number: FLPL058

This course will allow students to further integrate classroom knowledge with practice in the field as they develop necessary skill based competencies . The placement involves an in-depth learning component of approximately seven weeks' duration, and a two-day orientation workshop.

Units: 245.00
Hours: 245.00

Field Practice and Evaluation II

Course Number: FLPL059

This course, along with Field Practice & Evaluation I (FLPL 58) will allow the students to integrate classroom knowledge with practice in the field. The placement involves two in-depth learning components, of approximately seven weeks' duration, and a one-day orientation workshop.

Units: 245.00
Hours: 245.00

Semester 4

Administration of Preschool Programs

Course Number: EDUC001

This course examines business practices as they are found in the administration of preschool settings, as well as pertinent legislation.This course is designed to strengthen the Early Childhood Educator's knowledge of how child-care programs are administered. It will also enrich the student's understanding of how quality is developed, implemented, and measured.

Units: 45.00
Hours: 45.00

Child Care Option: Infant Care

Course Number: EDUC005

This course is designed to give the student an in-depth understanding of infant care and programming. This is a one-half credit course delivered over seven weeks.

Units: 21.00
Hours: 21.00

Child Care Option: School Age

Course Number: EDUC006

This course will prepare students to work with school-age children 4 to 12 years of age in a quality environment. This is a one-half credit course delivered over seven weeks.

Units: 21.00
Hours: 21.00

Communicating at Work

Course Number: COMM002

This course will enable you to continue to improve your general communication skills to meet the learning outcomes demanded by the assignments in this course, as well as the expectations of other subjects and eventual career employment. This course emphasizes concepts of critical thinking and problem-solving skills as they apply to processes fundamental to effective communication. You will continue to reinforce speaking, writing, reading, and listening techniques common to the expectations demanded by the work place of your career choice by applying, at a more sophisticated level, principles of style, structure, mechanics and techniques (for orals).

Units: 45.00
Hours: 45.00

Inclusive Programming for Young Children

Course Number: EDUC011

In this advanced-level course, students will concentrate on the role of the early childhood professional in planning anti-bias curriculum that focuses on specific issues, individuals, or groups. Goal setting, planning, implementing, and evaluation will be addressed.

Units: 45.00
Hours: 45.00

Specialized Practicum

Course Number: EDUC023

This 45-hour course will provide theory and experience for students, with a practical application in working with children from 12 to 24 months of age and their families.

Units: 45.00
Hours: 45.00

Working with Parents in An Early Childhood Setting

Course Number: EDUC025

This final-semester course is designed to give the student a basic understanding of families, especially as they relate to children in preschool settings in Canadian society. The key components of this course are building effective partnerships with families, supporting parents who have specific concerns, and responding to child abuse.

Units: 45.00
Hours: 45.00

Learning to Change the World One Child at a Time

Pursuing an Accounting degree at the University of Ottawa, Janet Van Allen soon realized that a career in the world of business was not for her.

"I've always enjoyed working with children," she says. Janet opted to check out Fleming College's Early Childhood Education program at the Frost Campus and after meeting with Program Coordinator Mary Lou Lummiss and touring the campus, Janet decided the program and location would be a good fit.

In a small class of about 20 students, Janet was able to complete placements with three very different child care organizations – Kawartha Child Care Centre, Community Living and her current place of employment the Lindsay Montessori Pre-school.

"I really enjoyed the ECE program and the staff and faculty at Fleming were wonderful," she says. "You really get out of the program what you are willing to put into it. I knew what I wanted to do and I got back what I put into it."

Right now Janet is enjoying the rewards of her career.

"It's wonderful celebrating all the successes of the children," she says. "You can have a child that can't yet hold a pencil to write but you can still teach the child hands-on math skills such as counting or addition and subtraction exercises."

Part of Janet's decision to settle in Lindsay after graduation comes from the network of child care workers in the community, she says.

"There's a whole network of child care workers in the City of Kawartha Lakes who are really passionate about their work and their network is really tight. They are inspirational and amazing people and they are eager to teach and share their knowledge. It really opens your horizons and prepares you for work."

For information on the Early Childhood Education program at Frost Campus, contact:

Mary Lou Lummiss
Email: Mary Lou Lummiss
Ph: 705/324-9144 ext. 3220