LOCATION/DELIVERY MODES & START DATES
Show Legend Definitions
Hide
Delivery Legend:
On Campus
On Campus: All courses in this program will be delivered onsite at a CNA campus or at an approved location. Some courses may have online elements.
|
Blended
Blended: Some courses, or parts of courses, in this program will be delivered onsite at a CNA campus or at an approved location, while other courses, or parts of courses, will be delivered online or virtually to students at another location.
|
Online - Asynchronous
Online - Asynchronous: Delivered fully online with no scheduled classes, and allows students to learn on their own schedule, in a flexible environment, within a certain time frame.
|
Online - Synchronous
Online Synchronous: Delivered fully online with live, scheduled videoconference classes. The instructor and the students in the course engage with the course content and each other at the same time, from different locations.
Online - Asynchronous delivery - September 2025
The legacy of learning.
Studies show that children who participate in early learning and child care programs grow to build positive work habits, develop strong social skills and make gains in all areas of learning that benefit them throughout their lives.
Early childhood educators contribute to this legacy of learning, as they lead children in activities to stimulate and develop their intellectual, physical, and emotional growth and ensure their security and well-being. Driven by multidisciplinary research-based practices, early childhood educators not only support children’s learning and growth, but also the dynamic and diverse needs of families and communities.
This continuously expanding and rapidly developing field plays an integral and essential role in the health and well-being of societies. And quality early learning and child care depends on qualified and resourced early childhood educators.
Building on the established Certificate, Diploma, and Advanced Diploma programs, the Bachelor of Applied Arts: Early Childhood Education can be completed in two semesters for any ECE Advanced Diploma graduates meeting all entrance requirements.
Throughout this applied degree, you will gain practical knowledge and vital hands-on experience in child development, as well as planning, developing, and evaluating responsive early learning and child care programs. As you advance through the degree, you have the opportunity to further deepen your understanding and develop competencies in program and curriculum design, supporting equity and inclusion, relationship-building, mentorship, leadership, and advocacy. Similarly, courses in this program will encourage students to be active participants while exposing students to diverse ideas and approaches as they engage in group work and develop skills valued by leaders in the early learning field: problem-solving, conflict resolution, critical thinking, and time management.
Through a sequence of educational experiences integrating theory and practice, this applied degree is designed to prepare you for work in a variety of early learning and child care programs.
As you build your own skills, you gain the knowledge to empower future generations.
Students may complete this program on a full-time or part-time basis and have a maximum of 12 semesters to complete the program. A Learner Course Plan for course completion is developed with each student, based on an assessment of any previous ECE or related training they may already have, and any PLAR credits received. The Learner Course Plan specific to this program can be found
HERE.
Online students register each semester from a list of course offerings. These offerings, and other important information about the Bachelor of Applied Arts: Early Childhood Education program, are posted on the Distributed Learning Service webpage
Bachelor of Applied Arts: Early Childhood Education Degree Program. To participate in courses, students must have an internet-ready computer system. General internet/computer knowledge (e.g. e-mail, ability to save files, install programs, and related applications) would be a valuable asset.
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
- Complete Year 4 in two semesters as per admissions requirements
- Benefit from a flexible, online program allowing you to complete courses while working in the field
- Engage in reflective practice, while working with children, families and the community
- Focus on policy, ethics, advocacy and social justice
- In depth knowledge of child development from birth to aged 12
DID YOU KNOW?
- Canadian economic evaluations have demonstrated that early learning and child care has one of the highest returns on investments, with $2 to $7 returned on every dollar spent.
- Investment in early education and child care by provinces and territories rose by over $3 billion between 2017 and 2020. Newfoundland and Labrador has almost tripled funding since 2011.
- Over the period 2019-2028, the number of job openings (arising from expansion demand and replacement demand) for Early childhood educators and assistants are expected to total 81,700
- Newfoundland and Labrador has increased training requirements and expanded graduate bursary programs.
OBJECTIVES
Upon successful completion of the Bachelor of Applied Arts: Early Childhood Education program graduates will be able to:
1. Analyze research, standards, and trends related to early learning and development to inform curriculum, program decision-making, and early learning practice.
2. Use pedagogical tools to observe, document, and assess child learning and development, adult-child interactions, and the indoor/outdoor environment.
3. Evaluate significant Canadian and Provincial social and public policies as they relate to children, families, early childhood educator practice, the sector, and the broader community.
4. Apply trauma-informed, anti-bias, and culturally relevant practices to developing relationships and environments that foster social justice and equity in early learning.
5. Develop professional relationships with families using family-centered principles that respect family diversity, goals, and values.
6. Demonstrate ethical practice with children, colleagues, and families based on a critical evaluation of individual rights, equity, diversity, and inclusion.
7. Use critical thinking, reflective practice, and problem-solving skills to form professional and collaborative relationships with colleagues, families, and other professionals.
8. Develop advocacy strategies with children, colleagues, families, and the community for quality early learning and care programs and services.
9. Identify qualitative and quantitative research methodologies, steps of the research process, and carry out a research project related to the field of Early Childhood Education.
PRIOR LEARNING ASSESSMENT AND RECOGNITION (PLAR)
Students will be given every opportunity to receive credit for past learning experience (except for EE4010, EE4020, EE4030, EE4040 and EE4045) through a comprehensive systematic process of evaluation. Once enrolled and active in the program, students will be permitted to submit PLAR applications for any courses in the program for which they believe they have already acquired the appropriate level of knowledge and skills. For further information, please refer to the
Bachelor of Applied Arts Early Childhood Education program pages.
CERTIFICATION
Upon completion of the Bachelor of Applied Arts: Early Childhood Education, individuals may apply for a provincial Level IV Child Care Services (CCS) Certification through the Association of Early Childhood Educators of Newfoundland and Labrador (AECENL). For information on certification, please visit
Association of Early Childhood Educators of Newfoundland and Labrador (AECENL).