Program Information

Early Childhood Education (ECE) is also available by distance education, online through the College’s Office of Distributed Learning (DL).  Program descriptions, objectives, graduation requirements and the list of courses may be found on the Early Childhood Education full-time program pages. 

A Learner Course Plan for ECE 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. Learner Course Plans are posted on the Early Childhood Education – Distributed Learning  program pages.

Distance students register each semester from a list of course offerings. These offerings, and other important information about ECE by Distance, are posted on the Early Childhood Education – Distributed Learning  program pages. Students may enroll on a part-time basis. Students who go beyond the time frame for completion by distance may be required to complete additional or revised courses before being deemed eligible to graduate.
    
ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS
All entrance requirements listed on the Early Childhood Education full-time program pages must be met including: both the academic requirements and the ECE program documentation requirements. Further information on obtaining ECE program documentation may be found HERE 

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.
 
To be employed in the field of early childhood education and to successfully fulfill field placement requirements, students must be able to lift and move children, materials and equipment (up to 50 pounds) on a consistent basis. As well, physical effort, strength and endurance is required in the supervision and care of children, e.g., maintaining balance, kneeling and bending, pushing and pulling strollers and carts, and moving quickly to assist children in emergency situations.
 
Applicants currently working in a regulated child care service:

Applicants must submit a current copy of the following program documentation: 
1. Clear certified criminal records check (issued by RCMP) or clear criminal records screening certificate (issued by RNC)
2. Clear vulnerable sector records check (issued by RCMP/RNC) and
3. Record of Immunization or Statement of Immunization 

*Please note: The certified criminal records check (issued by RCMP) or clear criminal records screening certificate (issued by RNC), vulnerable sector records check (issued by RCMP/RNC), and the Record of Immunization or Statement of Immunization must be submitted to the College prior to online registration.

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.
 
Once admitted into the program, a student who does not enroll in courses for six months or more must re-submit a current copy of all of the above required ECE program documentation.
 
Applicants not working in a regulated child care service:

Applicants must submit a current copy of the following program documentation which must be dated no more than three months prior to the first scheduled day of classes: 
 
1. Clear certified criminal records check (issued by RCMP) or clear criminal records screening certificate (issued by RNC)
2. Clear vulnerable sector records check (issued by RCMP/RNC) and
3. Record of Immunization or Statement of Immunization 
 
*Please note: The certified criminal records check (issued by RCMP) or clear criminal records screening certificate (issued by RNC), vulnerable sector records check (issued by RCMP/RNC), and the Record of Immunization or Statement of Immunization must be submitted to the College prior to online registration.
 
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.
 
Once admitted into the program, a student who does not enroll in courses for six months or more must re-submit a current copy of all of the above required ECE program documentation.

FIELD PLACEMENT
Students in the ECE Online Diploma program are required to complete four Field Placements: FW1600 (5 weeks); FW1601 (5 weeks); FW2600 (4 weeks) and FW2601 (4 weeks). Provincial program standards require that learners must complete a majority of their placements in a regulated child care centre. For the Diploma program, a minimum of 500 hours must be completed in a regulated child care centre, while the remaining hours may be in a regulated family child care home, child care centre, a family child care agency, a kindergarten classroom or a family resource centre.
 
For those online students currently working in regulated child care (i.e., for a minimum of 12 consecutive months), a minimum of 2 weeks must be completed at a College of the North Atlantic (CNA) demonstration child care centre. An additional week at a CNA demonstration child care centre (for a total of 3 weeks out of the required 18 weeks) will be mandatory for the following:
(i.) students working in regulated child care for less than 12 consecutive months;
(ii.) students not working in regulated child care.

Students in the ECE Online Certificate program are required to complete two Field Placements: FW1600 (5 weeks) and FW1601 (5 weeks). Provincial program standards require that learners must complete a majority of their placements in a regulated child care centre. For the Certificate program, a minimum of 260 hours must be completed in a regulated child care centre, while the remaining hours may be in a regulated family child care home, child care centre, a family child care agency, a kindergarten classroom or a family resource centre.
 
For those online students currently working in regulated child care (i.e., for a minimum of 12 consecutive months), a minimum of 1 week must be completed at a College of the North Atlantic (CNA) demonstration child care centre. An additional week at a CNA demonstration child care centre (for a total of 2 weeks out of the required 10 weeks) will be mandatory for the following:
(i.) students working in regulated child care for less than 12 consecutive months;
(ii.) students not working in regulated child care.

Students will be assigned a CNA demonstration child care centre based on geographical location. Our centres are located in St. John’s, Corner Brook and Happy Valley - Goose Bay. Please note: For new students accepted into the ECE Online Certificate program starting in Academic Year 2020-2021, the ECE Manager will be allocating which field placement course (FW1600 or FW1601) and the dates in which a student will complete the mandatory week(s).

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.

PRIOR LEARNING ASSESSMENT AND RECOGNITION (PLAR)
Students will be given every opportunity to receive credit for past learning experience 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, except Field Placements II, III and IV.  For further information, please refer to the  Early Childhood Education – Distributed Learning program pages.  
 
FUTURE OPPORTUNITIES
Graduates of the Diploma program will be prepared for employment with organizations providing early learning & child care, or self-employment in the child care field. With relevant work experience, they will be able to develop programs for and/or supervise in child care services in communities throughout the province.
 
Graduates of the Certificate program will be prepared for employment with organizations providing early learning & child care, or self-employment in the child care field in communities throughout the province.

CERTIFICATION
The Diploma program graduate is awarded a Diploma of Applied Arts in Early Childhood Education from the College. This parchment indicates successful completion of two years of post-secondary education, combining theory and practical experience in the care, education, and guidance of children, as well as best practices in developmentally appropriate programming and environments. Completion of this program is one of the steps towards provincial Child Care Services (CCS) Certification through the Association of Early Childhood Educators of Newfoundland and Labrador (AECENL). Currently, the Early Childhood Education Diploma is eligible for Level II CCS Certification for infant, preschool and school-age classifications.
 
The Certificate program 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. Completion of this program is one of the steps towards provincial CCS Certification through AECENL. Currently, the Early Childhood Education Certificate is eligible for Level I CCS Certification for preschool and school-age classifications.
 
LOCATION
Early Childhood Education – Distributed Learning is available province-wide with on-campus Field Placements currently held at the Prince Philip Drive, Corner Brook, and Happy Valley-Goose Bay campuses.