Which Early Childhood Education Program Should I Take?
Two kinds of
people exist in the world: Those who absolutely love being with children and those who don’t absolutely love being with children. Everyone on the spectrum
has their fair reasons for why they feel how they feel about little ones. Children
are adorable but can slobber sometimes, so we hear you.
If you happen
to be the former and love children (like us!), a lively career working in the
field of early childhood is not only idealistic, but also very captivating and
heartwarming – especially when the children come running through the door to
hug you.
Coincidently
and luckily for Hannah Renaud, a
Sprott Shaw alumni who studied Early
Childhood Education, this career aspiration became a
reality for her. With her genuine passion and love for children of all ages,
every single day at work has been an inspiring and heartwarming one for her.
Sprott Shaw’s Early Childhood Education (ECE) Programs
Apart from
Hannah, many other Sprott Shaw graduates and alumni have actualized their dream
careers of working with children. Like Hannah and many other Sprott Shaw
graduates, you can work in Education
and become an Early Childhood Educator with our Early Childhood Education (ECE)
Programs.
As one of our
most popular programs, Sprott Shaw College offers several distinctive and
specialized ECE Programs that train and prepare students for rewarding careers
working with young children, from infants and toddlers to children in preschool.
With the wide
variety of options we offer our students interested in Child,
Family, and Community Support, some incoming students may become
confused about which specific program they should take. This blog will cover some
of the different ECE Programs Sprott Shaw offers, helping you better understand
which program best suits you.
For a general
overview: The ECE Assistant Program equips students with hands-on experience
working in childcare with a certified early childhood educator by their side; the
Basic Program allows students to immediately start their career as an Educator
(without the need to become an assistant first); and the Montessori Program
equips students with the knowledge learned in the Basic Program while
incorporating a specialization in Montessori education.
The ECE Assistant Program is a 14-week certificate program.
This program covers three overarching topics: Child Growth and Development, Guiding
and Caring, and Health, Safety, and
Nutrition. For students, these courses present a comprehensive overview of
positive child guidance, the developmental changes that occur in children, and
children’s health issues, safety concerns and management, and nutrition.
With the
completion of the program, students will be qualified with the skills to
promote the psychological and physical safety, health, and well-being of each
child. Students will also be able to demonstrate a wealth of knowledge
regarding basic licensing regulations, safety, and hygiene related to childcare
facilities.
This
Assistant Program is suited for individuals who want to work with a certified
educator by their side who can help support and guide them. Students who
graduate this program can pursue careers as ECE Assistants, Preschool
Assistants, Child Care Assistants, and more!
The ECE Basic Program is available with a 45-week certificate or a 77-week diploma. This Basic Program provides students with the skills and occupational competencies necessary in the industry based on the Ministry for Children and Family Development approved curriculum from the province of British Columbia. Both the certificate and diploma include practicum placements for students.
During the
program, students will learn to develop and lead age-appropriate activities for
children aimed to help promote social, emotional, physical, cognitive, and
early literacy development. Throughout the program, students will learn to
facilitate diversity and multi-cultural experiences and concepts to enhance the
curriculum as well as recognize positive contemporary child guidance practices,
causes, and characteristics of certain behaviours.
With the completion
of the diploma program specifically, students will be eligible to apply for an
Early Childhood Education Basic certificate from the Ministry for Children and
Family Development.
Graduates of
the certificate and diploma program can pursue careers in fields like
preschools, group childcare, family childcare, foster parenting, supported
child development, young parent programs, and more.
The ECE Montessori Program is an 80-week diploma program.
This program encompasses the knowledge of the Basic Program, but also involves
a specialization in Montessori Education. The Montessori Method is designed to
foster hands-on learning through education that: Connects the mind, body, and
spirit; is conveyed through movement; values collaboration; and unfold through
love. In addition to the topics covered in the Basic Program, students will
examine the six major areas of the Montessori curriculum: Practical Life,
Sensorial Language, Math, Socials, Art, Music and Movement, and how they all
interrelate.
This program
includes a practicum placement. Upon completion of the program, students will
be eligible to apply for an Early Childhood Educator Basic certificate from the
Ministry for Children and Family Development.
Graduates of
the Montessori Program can pursue careers in young parent programs, recreational
programs, family childcare centres, preschools, Montessori schools, and more.
The Post-Basic Programs
The ECE Post-Basic Program is a 32-week diploma program.
This program expands on the material covered in the Basic Program and provides
advanced training in ECE competencies for students interested in working with
children with exceptionalities and/or infant and toddler care. As a note, the Children
with Exceptionalities and Infant
and Toddler Care Programs are also offered separately for
students who want to intensely focus on one specialization – with each program
running for 20 weeks.
This program
includes a practicum placement and is based upon the Ministry for Children and
Family Development approved curriculum. With the completion of the program,
students can expand their knowledgeable and practical coverage from birth to
children of age 5.
Students who
complete this program become qualified and certified care personnel, granting
them with the formal credentials to pursue advanced opportunities. Graduates of
this program can pursue career opportunities as Early Childhood Educators,
Child Care Supervisors, and more.
At Sprott
Shaw, we offer several Early Childhood Education (ECE) Programs to encourage
students to pursue the specialization that best interests them. If you still
have questions on which program best suits you, contact one of our advisors here
and they would be more than happy to help you out!