Early childhood education is a post-secondary program that prepares students for employment with child care centres and nursery schools. It gives them the education and skills required to seek entry level jobs in this discipline.
Fostering Friendships - Enhancing Social Bonds in the Classroom
Early childhood educators a quick career guide
1. Early Childhood Educators: A Quick Career Guide
Early childhood education is a specialized discipline that is concerned with
taking care of and teaching young children, considering their individual
needs and likings, in the period before the start of compulsory formal
education. It is considered that the former two years of a child’s life are
very crucial in the development of their sense of self and others. The
emphasis is on developing the child’s ability to determine how they
should behave or function in relation to other students.
This type of education focuses on understanding specific developmental
needs of children, crafting individualized programs and maintaining
responsive relationships with children. A great emphasis is laid on
learning through play, where children get to interact with each other and
develop sense of self and others. Moreover, games or play activities keep
them physically active, socially responsive and emotionally fit.
What Do Early Childhood Educators Do?
The main job responsibility of early childhood educators is to take care of
the social, physical, emotional and educational needs of infants, toddlers,
pre-schoolers and school-age children. They are responsible for creating
a comfortable, friendly and enriching learning environment to ensure
high standards of quality care to children of different ages and with
varied requirements.
They use various observation techniques to enhance work with children
and make them feel comfortable at the child care centre Toronto.
Upon successfully observing their needs, the professionals plan a tailored
curriculum and implement it to meet all specific needs of children. They
also communicate with the families, maintain records, prepare and plan
learning material, discuss the behaviour and development of children
with their parents.
Career in Early Childhood Education
Before begin to work as early childhood educators, individuals need to
have undergone at least a post-secondary diploma in early childhood
studies. As it is a specialized discipline, aspiring professionals need to
develop specific skills and attitude to effectively work with children.
Centennial College’s two-year post-secondary ECE program prepares
high school graduates for employment with well-established nursery
2. schools, kindergarten classrooms, drop-in centres, children and parent
resource centres, shelters for women and child care centres in Toronto.
The program offers the right mix of theory and practical through
classroom lectures and industry field placements. Students study a wide
range of subjects and gain understanding of the learning environment:
the third teacher, the healthy development of the whole child, observable
child development, guidance and the individual children, principles of
psychology, empowering children’s independence, understanding and
communicating with families, inclusion of children with specific needs,
advocacy and emerging professional and child abuse.
This is an intensive program that focuses on providing students with the
strong grounding in childhood education fundamentals and latest trends
in the field. The program also incorporates hands-on experience through
industry field placements. The aim of the program is to make students
career-ready even before they graduate.
Students who have complete their secondary education and possess
minimum required score in English Grade 12 C or University or equivalent
can apply for this program. Once they are accepted to this program, they
will need to obtain an annual clear police check with vulnerable sector
screening, complete valid first aid and CPR certificates and provide a
clear medical report.