Early Childhood Education

Program Description

Humber’s Early Childhood Education (ECE) diploma prepares you to work with children (birth to 12 years) and their families. Students can expect to attain and exceed the practice-ready knowledge, skills, and attitudes employers are seeking from ECE graduates in supporting children, families and the community by engaging in innovative learning and simulation experiences. These experiences take place within Humber's Carol Reid Early Childhood Education Lab, as well as within the Humber Child Development Centre - interacting with our scenic arboretum and nature-inspired playground and exploring responsive inclusive teaching methods and leading-edge curriculum.

You will learn about:

• how children learn
• the importance of responsive relationships
• the image of the child and the significance of viewing children from a wide variety of lenses
• how to create responsive, inclusive play-based learning environments and natural play spaces for children, families, and the community
• human development
• observation and reflection, and the preparation of pedagogical documentation by children, families, and the community
• social justice, advocacy, leadership and the role of the ECE professional
• the importance of collaborating with relevant community agencies
• how ministry and government legislation and guidelines inform practice

START-COMPLETION TIMELINE

• January - Students beginning their studies in January are enrolled in a fast track option. This option allows for completion of the full diploma program in four consecutive semesters, including the Summer term.
• May - Students enrolling in May complete the full diploma program in approximately 20 months with one summer break between the third and fourth semesters.
• September - Students beginning their studies in September complete the program in two academic years with one summer break between the second and third semester.

Work Placement

We believe it is necessary for our students to have extensive experience in the profession in order to be successful as registered early childhood educators. Students can expect to have work placement experiences within the program and will be required to complete approximately 450-600 work placement hours over three semesters. During these three semesters, students may have field practicums such as working with families and children (various age groups) in licensed child care or preschool settings, EarlyON Child and Family Centres, various community programs, full-day kindergarten, or home-based child care programs. A different placement for Semesters 2, 3, and 4 ensures a range of experiences prior to graduation and equips students with a range of networks within the community to explore employment in the future.

In the ECE program, Field Practicum 1 and Field Seminar 1 begin in Semester 2. Students should plan to complete their prerequisite requirements accordingly. Visit the Work-Integrated Learning web pages > to learn more about placements and requirements. 

Admission Requirements

• Minimum Level of Education Required: Grade 12 / High School
• Min GPA: 50.0% 

English Proficiency Requirements:

• Min TOEFL iBT: 80 (Min Reading: 20.0, Min Writing: 20.0, Min Listening: 20.0, Min Speaking: 20.0)
• Min IELTS overall: 6 (Min Reading: 5.5, Min Writing: 5.5, Min Listening: 5.5, Min Speaking: 5.5)
• Min Duolingo English Test Score: 105

• January 2021 Closed
• May 2021 Closed
• September 2021 Available