Do you want to develop a career working with children? Learning through play is central to the healthy development of young children, and working in child care presents a wonderful opportunity to have a positive impact on the lives of children and their families in your community. If you enjoy working with children, are in good physical and psychological health, are organized, flexible, alert and observant, then a career in Early Childhood Education may be for you.

During your study period and your career, you will actively participate in children's activities and provide independent supervision of children. You will discover that patience, friendliness, sensitivity, reliability and high energy are assets for advancement. Other qualities that parents desire in those who care for their children include maturity and humour. Strong communication skills are also essential.

• High School Diploma or Adult High School Diploma or GED Diploma of High School Equivalency

As a graduate, you will be prepared for employment as child care professionals in group care settings with children from birth to age 12. You may specialize in programming for infants and children with diverse abilities, school age children or work in administration. You may find employment in child care centres, preschool centres, schools, family day homes and private homes. Self-employment and entrepreneurial opportunities are also available: childcare consulting, alternative care-giving (after hours care) and tutoring.

4214 - Early Childhood Educators and Assistants
6472 - Elementary and Secondary School Teacher Assistants

• Interpersonal Behaviour
• Early Childhood Education
• Health, Safety and Nutrition
• Nonviolent Crisis Intervention
• Child Guidance
• Inclusive Education
• Growth and Development
• Program Planning
• General First Aid and CPR
• Sociology
• Practicums
• Early Childhood Program Planning
• Curriculum Development

You will be asked to submit proof of a satisfactory physical examination and immunization prior to commencement of training, by following the instructions on the standardized New Brunswick Community College Medical form. You may also be required to produce a medical certificate attesting to certain requirements identified by the fieldwork site.

In order to be successful in this field, you must enjoy working with children, have a high regard for your work, be in good physical and psychological health and be organized, flexible, alert and observant. You must be able to actively participate in the children's activities and be capable of providing independent supervision of children. Other important assets are patience, friendliness, sensitivity to the needs of others, reliability and a high energy level. Maturity, a sense of humor and the ability to communicate are other qualities that parents desire in those who care for their children.

This program has a work placement component within its curriculum as a requirement for certification. Students may be required by host agencies or employers to provide a current criminal records check from a police service recognized by the host agency or employer before they may start their work placement. Individuals who have been convicted criminally and not pardoned may be prohibited from proceeding to a work placement. It is the student’s responsibility to ensure that he or she is eligible to participate.

As a graduate from this program, you may pursue the completion of a Bachelor of Professional Arts in Human Services by distance education from Athabasca University.

As a graduate from this program, you may be able to transfer to the second year of the three-year degree program, Bachelor of Arts, Community Studies, at the Cape Breton University.