Upon successful completion of the certificate program, graduates will be able to:
- Support and promote the overall development of children aged 18 months to 12 years.
- Develop and maintain developmentally appropriate programs, and indoor and outdoor environments that reflect best practices.
- Explain variations in the developmental abilities of children aged 18 months to 12 years.
- Maintain caring and responsive relationships with the children in their care.
- Carry out effective and positive behaviour guidance, and discuss challenging behaviour.
- Demonstrate professional behaviour and reflective practice in interactions with children, families and the community.
- Identify and outline provincial child care legislation, standards and policies.
Students complete two field placements during the certificate program, one in Semester 1 and one in Semester 2. All students have the opportunity to apply their learning with different age groups in a variety of approved early learning and child care settings. For those students attending the Corner Brook and Prince Phillip Drive campuses, field Placements include time spent at the College's onsite demonstration child care centre.
Please Note: Students work with the ECE faculty to determine approved field placement sites.
Prior to the start of a field placement, students must submit to Student Services, a current copy of at least an emergency level (one day) diploma/certificate in first aid and CPR dealing with children. A list of approved first aid training providers can be found on the Workplace NL website.
The graduate is awarded a certificate of Applied Arts in Early Childhood Education from the College. This parchment indicates successful completion of one year of post-secondary education, combining theory and practical experience in the care, education, and guidance of children. This program is one of the steps towards provincial Child Care Services (CCS) Certification granted through the
Association of Early Childhood Educators of Newfoundland and Labrador (AECENL). Currently, the Early Childhood Education certificate is equivalent to a Level I CCS Certification for preschool and school-age children.