Early Childhood Education

Humber’s Early Childhood Education (ECE) diploma program prepares you to work with children (birth to 12 years) and their families. Students can expect to attain and exceed the practice-ready knowledge, skills and attitudes employers are seeking from ECE graduates in supporting children, families and the community by engaging in innovative learning and simulation experiences. These experiences take place within Humber’s Carol Reid Early Childhood Education Lab, as well as within the Humber Child Development Centre – interacting with their scenic arboretum and nature-inspired playground and exploring responsive, inclusive teaching methods and leading edge curriculum.

What You’ll Learn

• How children learn.
• How ministry and government legislation and guidelines inform practice.
• How to create responsive, inclusive play-based learning environments and natural play spaces for children, families and the community.
• Human development.
• Observation and reflection, and the preparation of pedagogical documentation by children, families and the community.
• The image of the child and the significance of viewing children from a wide variety of lenses.
• The importance of collaborating with relevant community agencies.
• The importance of responsive relationships.
• Social justice, advocacy, leadership and the role of the ECE professional.

Humber believes it is necessary for their students to have extensive experience in the profession in order to be successful as registered early childhood educators. Students can expect to have work placement experiences within the program and will be required to complete approximately 500-600 work placement hours over three semesters. During these three semesters, students may have field practicums such as working with families and children (various age groups) in licensed child care or preschool settings, EarlyON Child and Family Centres, various community programs, full day kindergarten, or home based child care programs. A different placement for Semesters 2, 3, and 4 ensures a range of experiences prior to graduation and equips students with a range of networks within the community to explore employment in the future.