Early Childhood Educator (ECE) / Preschool Teacher
Overview
"A teacher affects eternity. He can never tell where his influence stops.”
Henry Brooks Adams (1838-1918)
Those words are as true today as the day they were written, especially for graduates of our Early Childhood Educator (ECE) program.
As an Early Childhood Educator in a daycare or preschool centre, you’ll have the opportunity to nourish young minds and have a positive influence on children that will last a lifetime.
Throughout our 46 week Early Childhood Educator (ECE) program, you’ll learn through lectures and workshops led by highly regarded industry experts. Plus, you’ll benefit from eight weeks of practicum where you’ll actually work at various childcare facilities throughout the Lower Mainland. During that time, you’ll gain first-hand experience that will lay the foundation for a successful career in the field of Early Childhood Care and Education.
Please continue reading. You’ll find everything you need to know about becoming an Early Childhood Educator...
Typical Job Duties
Early Childhood Educators plan, organize and lead activities for preschool children to encourage their intellectual, physical and emotional growth. They do this by telling or reading stories, teaching songs, demonstrating the use of simple musical instruments, preparing craft materials and demonstrating their use, and taking the children to local points of interest.
They also guide and assist children in the development of proper eating, dressing and toilet habits. In addition, they observe children and, when appropriate, discuss children's progress or problems with parents and other staff members.
Early Childhood Educators attend meetings and workshops to develop and discuss new teaching methods. They may also supervise and coordinate the activities of other Early Childhood Educators and Early Childhood Educator Assistants.
Potential Employers
There’s an increasing demand for qualified Early Childhood Educators to work with young children throughout BC and the rest of Canada.
As an Early Childhood Educator, you could find work in a:
Profit or Non-Profit Childcare Centre
Parent Participation Preschool
Private Nursery School
Kindergarten
Inclusive Childcare Preschool
Before & After School Care Centre
Group Daycare
Family Daycare
Child Minding Service of a different kind
In addition to full-time work, there are opportunities for part-time and self-employment as an Early Childhood Educator.
Wages and Career Outlook
The employment market for Early Childhood Educators is strong and growing because of increased funding for childcare in public settings. Plus, the federal government is committed to providing a universal childcare system.
If you’d like to obtain more information about the career outlook for Early Childhood Educators, visit:
NOTE: The related national occupation classification number—a system used to group and survey jobs—for Early Childhood Educators is "4214”.
Just keep in mind that these figures are based on groupings of a large number of related jobs. The wages and career outlook may differ due to your education level, job location and the type of employer you work for.
ECE Program Educational Philosophy - The Reggio Emilia Approach
Hailed as an exemplary model of early childhood education (Newsweek, 1991), the Reggio Emilia approach to education is committed to the creation of conditions for learning that will enhance and facilitate a child's construction of "his or her own powers of thinking through the synthesis of all the expressive, communicative and cognitive languages" (Edwards and Forman, 1993).
The Reggio Emilia approach to early childhood education is a city-run and sponsored system designed for all children from birth through six years of age. It can be viewed as a resource and inspiration to help educators, parents, and children as they work together to further develop their own educational programs. This unique approach is based on the following principles:
Emergent Curriculum
Project Work
Representational Development
Teachers as Researchers
Collaboration
Documentation
Environment
Stenberg College is constantly inspired and challenged by the preprimary schools in Reggio Emilia. We’re committed to offering many opportunities for deepening our understanding of the Reggio Emilia pedagogy.
We believe that children learn through play and that they must be free to choose what they want to do in an environment that is safe and stimulating. When Early Childhood Educators support this play in a warm and nurturing manner, children’s development is enhanced in all aspects. Stenberg College is committed to developmentally appropriate practices, and culturally sensitive and inclusive childcare.
ECE Program Objectives
To assist students with learning how to represent the holistic nature of early childhood care by examining children’s social, physical, intellectual, emotional and cultural dimensions
To help students become aware of their abilities, values, beliefs, and interpersonal skills in order to determine their needs for growth and development
To identify the scope and limits of the caregiver’s roles within an early childhood environment, recognizing the importance of sensitivity and respect for the primary role of parents, family and the community
To provide students with the skill and understanding needed to build respectful and democratic relationships with children, families, co-workers, colleagues and the larger community
To apply principles of a working philosophy to each student’s work with children
To promote an attitude that work with young children is a process of life-long learning where one continuously investigates and seeks information about how to be most effective
To help students promote children’s overall learning based on knowledge of child development and observation
To enhance our students’ ability to make connections between theory and practice and to be able to articulate them
To develop attitudes of acceptance and respect towards individual and family diversity
To develop an awareness of emerging issues and research in the field of early childhood education
To communicate the importance of collaborating and networking with other professionals and agencies on an ongoing basis in order to enhance overall growth and development in childcare programs
To show students how to advocate the needs of young children to the larger community
To develop students’ ethical, professional behaviour and commitment to continuing professionalism
Is This Program For You?
It is if you:
have patience
have compassion
find it rewarding to help children learn and grow
are looking for a career offering stability and good working condition
have an interest in helping others
Program Admission Requirements
Completion of Grade 12 or 19 years of age or older
Passing Entrance Examination with a score of 70% or more
Passing formal entrance interview with a score of 70% or more
Successful completion of a short written essay
Verbal Test of English (if English is a Second Language)
Acceptable criminal record check
Students must provide the following to their Program Advisor prior to program start:
Acceptable medical examination repor
Written proof of 50 hours of volunteer work with children aged 3-5 (prior to first day of classes)
Reference letter stating suitability to work with children
Duration & Financing
Duration: 46 weeks including practicum
Financing: You could be eligible for ELMS funding, government student loans and other financing options; the Stenberg College Financial Aid Officer would be happy to provide further assistance.
