Program Overview

Early Childhood Education Program

The Early Childhood Education program at St. Lawrence College prepares students to work with children from birth to age 12 and their families in a variety of early childhood settings. Graduates have a firm understanding of human development from birth to 12 years of age and can create responsive, inclusive, play-based learning environments to support children's development.

Program Overview

The program combines theoretical study with practical experience, providing students with 630 hours of practical experience in a variety of early learning environments during three field placements, starting in the first year. This experience allows students to apply the skills taught in the classroom in real-world learning experiences.

Program Details

• Code: 0302
• Start Date: September 2026
• Credential: Ontario College Diploma
• Campus: Kingston
• Program Length: 2 Years
• Delivery: Full-Time
• Open for international students

Program Highlights

Our graduates:

• Have a firm understanding of human development from birth to 12 years of age
• Understand observation, reflection, and the preparation of pedagogical documentation
• Know how children learn and understand how to create responsive, inclusive, play-based learning environments
• Establish professional relationships with families, other professionals, and colleagues
• Apply current legislation to their practice
• Advocate on behalf of families and the field of early childhood education
• Maintain health and safety standards

Program Outline

The program is divided into four semesters, with courses including:

Semester 1

• CHIL 1004: Child Development 1
• COMM 110: Communications for College
• EARL 4: Introduction to Early Childhood Education
• EARL 40: Philosophies of Curriculum
• HEAL 200: Health and Safety
• GENE: General Education Course
• EARL 1000: Arts-Based Curriculum 1

Semester 2

• CASE 104: ECE Teaching Practice 1
• CHIL 1005: Child Development 2
• EARL 3: The Learning Environment
• EARL 61: Observation and Documentation and Writing Workshop
• GENE: General Education Course
• EARL 1001: Supporting Self-Regulation and Well-Being in Early Childhood
• EARL 1002: Planning and Learning with Young Children

Semester 3

• BEHA 2008: Inclusive Practices in Early Childhood Education
• CASE 2: ECE Teaching Practice 2
• EARL 2000: Supporting Self-Regulation and Well-Being in Early Childhood 2
• EARL 2001: Plan and Learn - Kindergarten and School Age Children
• EARL 5: Partnerships with Parents and Families
• GENE Online: General Education Online

Semester 4

• EARL 46: ECE Program Administration
• COMM 49: Communication Skills 3 - Career Prep
• EARL 8: Arts-Based Curriculum 2
• CASE 12: ECE Teaching Practice 3

Requirements

Admission Requirements

• Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) with the majority of Grade 11 and 12 courses at the C, U, or M level
• Grade 12 English at the C or U level

Health Requirements

• Completion of the Immunization - Communicable Disease Form is a mandatory condition for clinical/practical placement

Other Requirements

• Criminal Background Check: Applicants are advised that Criminal Background Checks conducted by the Canadian Police Information Centre (CPIC) are required for programs with field or clinical placements
• Co-op Work Permit: For all international students only, students must have this document with proper remarks to begin their placement

Placement

Students from our program have completed their placements in agencies such as:

• Algonquin and Lakeshore Catholic District School Board
• Bayridge Childcare Centre
• Boys and Girls Club of Kingston
• EarlyON Programs
• Frontenac County Childcare Centres
• Helen Tufts Nursery School
• Henderson Childcare Centre
• Lennox and Addington Resources for Children
• Les Petits Amis Childcare Centre
• Limestone District School Board

Fees

Canadian Students

• Tuition: $2,721.36 CAD
• Program Fees: $65.00 CAD
• Ancillary Fees: $1,617.67 CAD
• Total: $4,404.03 CAD

International Students

• Tuition: $16,920.00 CAD
• Program Fees: $65.00 CAD
• Ancillary Fees: $2,385.78 CAD
• Total: $19,370.78 CAD

Career Opportunities

Graduates may find employment in:

• Licensed child care agencies
• Full-day Kindergarten classrooms
• EarlyON Child and Family Centres
• Parenting and family literacy programs
• School-age child care programs
• Home child care
• Domestic or international nannies
• Community programs
• Camps

Graduates from our program have been hired to work as Registered Early Childhood Educators in agencies such as:

• Algonquin and Lakeshore Catholic District School Board
• Bayridge Childcare Centre
• Boys and Girls Club of Kingston
• EarlyON Programs
• Frontenac County Childcare Centres
• Helen Tufts Nursery School
• Henderson Childcare Centre
• Lennox and Addington Resources for Children
• Les Petits Amis Childcare Centre
• Limestone District School Board

Graduates of the program are eligible to register with the College of Early Childhood Educators in Ontario.

Testimonials

• "Field placements give students the opportunity to test classroom knowledge in real-world applications, and I found that getting feedback from Registered Early Childhood Educators in the field helped me grow quickly as an educator." - Gerald McGrath
• "I have really enjoyed this program so far and found it very helpful for determining what I am looking for in a career." - Gillian Baillie
• "Taking Early Childhood Education at St. Lawrence College is one of the best decisions I made." - Rida Ahmad

Related Programs

• Early Childhood Education (Campus: Cornwall, Credential: Ontario College Diploma, 2 Years)
• Early Childhood Education (Online Full-time, Campus: Online, Credential: Ontario College Diploma, 4 Semesters)
• Early Childhood Education (Online Part-time, Campus: Online, Credential: Ontario College Diploma, Maximum of five years to complete certificate requirements)