Early Childcare Assistant Diploma

Our Early Childcare Assistant Program is designed to prepare our students for a rewarding career working with young children. You will be able to make a difference in the lives of children and their families. The Early Childcare Assistant (ECA) program prepares you to work under the guidance of an ECE Teacher to provide a safe and nurturing environment for children that encourages their social, emotional, physical and intellectual development. Our program applies research-based theory to practical experiences that encourages young children’s optimal development and growth.

Our courses focus on

• Best practices for working with children and their families in early childhood.
• The development of the Whole Child (the physical, social, emotional and cognitive development of the child)
• The roles and responsibilities of the early childhood professional.
• The importance of play in a child’s development and learning.
• Curriculum design and implementation for infant, toddlers, preschoolers and school-age children.

Your studies will blend the theory you learn about childhood development with an opportunity  for hands–on application of those principles during your field placements. During your practicum you will apply child development theories while programming for infant, toddler, preschool and school–aged children. As part of the program, you’ll also study developmental theory and practice for children with special needs, as well as an overview of relevant communications theory and technology. Our program instructor has an excellent teaching record with more than ten years in the Early Childhood Education field, including supervisory experience, and a member of the City of Toronto’s Childcare Advisory Committee as well as the National Association of Career Colleges Early Childcare Programs Advisory Committee.

Requirements for the Course

• Secondary School Diploma or Mature Student Status
• Fluency in English
• Up-to-Date Immunization, including Hep B and Tuberculosis
• Complete Physical Check-Up
• Current Criminal Record Check (Vulnerable Sector Position)
• 945 Hours of Training (37 Weeks)
• Includes practicum field placement and CPR/First Aid Training

Career Path

Governments are now beginning to realize the long-term benefits of investing in early childhood education.  Successful graduates have a wide range of career options open to them in the field of early childhood education, including working in childcare, full-day learning, or as an early years resource worker, home childcare provider, educational assistant, before- and after-school care provider, or camp counsellor/director. With experience, graduates of this program can progress to senior positions within the childcare field.

Employment Outlook

The ongoing Ontario economic forecast continues to have more families requiring dual income, so the call for more licensed childcare is stronger in Ontario than it has been in the past. Also, the move towards ECE’s in Full-Day Kindergarten classrooms has lead to an increase in the numbers of positions available. The outlook for Early Childcare Assistants is expected to be strong in Ontario, especially in the Toronto region. Demand is growing for childcare workers, and qualified individuals who speak multiple languages and/or have experience working with diverse cultural backgrounds may have even better prospects. According to Ontario’s labour market profile for this field, 55-60% of graduates found a full-time job related to their field within the first month of graduation.

The CBSC Advantage

Our instructors bring their passion for the field into the classroom. They prepare you with the necessary skills to make you an asset to the workplace, working closely with the career services team to ensure that students reach their full potential. With our convenient location (including free parking), modern classrooms, CBSC provides a personalized learning experience to help you achieve your goals and begin your new career. Our ECA programs rely on small class sizes, dynamic group work, authentic role-playing exercises and an off-site practicum to provide students with a well-rounded understanding of the environments in which they will work and the demands that will be made upon them once they graduate. As well, CBSC maintains excellent relationships with more than 27 childcare centres and programs in the area, a network that continues to grow as our graduates put their skills and experience to work in the community.