Program Overview

Early Childhood Education (ECE)

Program Overview

This four-semester diploma program focuses on the physical, cognitive, social, and emotional needs of children. Students learn to develop and implement inclusive programming to support the healthy development of children from infancy to school-age.

Program Details

Duration

4 Semesters (2 Years)

Credential

Ontario College Diploma

School

School of Early Childhood Education

Campus

King, Newnham, Online

Delivery

In-person, Online

About the Program

The program includes courses in child development, curriculum, philosophy of education, communication, working with families, and administration. Students can earn their Early Childhood Education (ECE) diploma in 16 months if they choose to study in the summer.

Skills

• Design healthy, safe, inclusive, and engaging environments for children from infancy to school age.
• Plan and implement inclusive programming to support children’s development using current theories.
• Build positive relationships with children, families, colleagues, and other professionals.

Work Experience

Field Placement

Field placement is central to the learning experience. Students obtain over 500 field placement hours in a variety of Childcare and Early Years professional settings. These experiences provide the opportunity to integrate classroom learning into practice with groups of children within the community.

Program Availability

• Canadian Applicants
• International Applicants

Career Options

• Child care centres
• Family resource programs
• Settlement centres
• EarlyON centres
• After-school programs
• Nursery schools
• Parent co-operative centres
• Private home child care
• Centres for children with special needs
• Kindergarten in the elementary school system

Affiliations/Associations

Upon graduation, students qualify to join the following affiliations and associations:

• Association of Early Childhood Educators Ontario (AECEO)
• The Canadian Association for Young Children (CAYC)
• Canadian Child Care Federation (CCCF)
• National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)
• The College of Early Childhood Educators (CECE)

The Seneca Polytechnic Difference

• Degree Pathways: Every Seneca diploma has a degree pathway.
• Experiential Learning: Graduate career-ready and world-ready.
• Career Support: Seneca Works offers students and graduates lifelong access to an exclusive job board, career coaching, networking, and more.
• ECE Labs: Hands-on, practical experience in state-of-the-art ECE Labs.