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Early Childhood Education Programs: What’s the Difference?

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We have several Early Childhood Education programs available. How do you know which one is right for you? Here’s a quick rundown of what’s involved in these programs.

Early Childhood Education Basic

ECE Basic is a 46-week certificate program. Learners complete 15 ECE courses, including the three core courses that comprise the ECEA program, as well as Strategies for Student Success, Career and Professional Development and three separate practicums. Other courses include Guiding and Caring, Curriculum Development, Music and Movement, and much more.

Upon completion and certification, you can work as an Early Childhood Educator in a variety of childcare settings, including preschools, daycares, group or family childcare, or as a StrongStart facilitator.

Early Childhood Education Post-Basic Diploma

The ECE Post-Basic Diploma is a 32-week program that expands on the ECE Basic program. Graduates with an ECE Basic certificate can register in the Post-Basic program to add Infant/Toddler (ages 3 and under) and Children with Exceptionalities specialty courses to their education. Evening Post-Basic courses are sometimes available so that you can continue to work while enhancing your education. When the Basic and Post-Basic programs have been completed, an Early Childhood Education Diploma will be issued.

Adding this program to your ECE skillset will broaden the career opportunities available to you as an Early Childhood Educator. Practitioners with an Infant/Toddler or a Children with Exceptionalities Certificate to Practice are in demand at childcare centres.

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Early Childhood Education Diploma

The ECE Diploma program is a 78-week program that includes all of the courses in the ECE Basic program followed by the ECE Post-Basic program, resulting in a diploma instead of a certificate. Essentially, the diploma program means that you are completing both the Basic and Post-Basic ECE programs in one program, instead of completing the Basic and returning to school later for the Post-Basic.

A person with an ECE diploma and Certificate to Practice may act as a supervisor to other Early Childhood Educators or Assistants, as well as work as an Educator in preschools, daycares, after school programs, and more.

All of our ECE programs are based on approved curriculum from the Ministry for Children and Family Development; successful completion will allow you to apply for a Certificate to Practice from the ECE Registry (as an Assistant or an Educator, depending on your program).

To find out more about any of these programs, contact an Advisor today!

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