Discover a career supporting children, families and communities.

Graduates from a two-year Early Childhood Education Ontario College Diploma program with a minimum overall average of 70% who complete with a minimum of a C (63%) in each of the required three degree-level bridging courses are eligible to enter into semester five (Year 3) for this four-year Bachelor of Early Learning and Community Development (Honours) degree.

The Bachelor of Early Learning and Community Development (Honours) program prepares you to work with children and families in both the community development and educational sectors and provides you with a variety of transferable skills.

There is an increasing awareness of the importance of early learning in our society. Similarly, there is an ongoing need to develop and support early learning opportunities for children and their families within a variety of settings. The early learning sector is evolving to address these changes. This program is ideal for those who want to play a role in these developments.

This program combines theory and practice, giving you the skills and knowledge you need for engaging with communities, families and children to create and implement community and school based programs that support early learning and development.

Throughout the program, you have three varied field placements within both community and school settings. These give you the chance to apply your skills to real-world settings. With field placements, applied learning and a semester-long work term, graduates are ready for employment in the community development and education sectors.

Graduates may find work in:

• community health agencies
• kindergartens
• research and advocacy
• early learning programs
• child and family centres
• municipal and provincial government
• non-governmental agencies addressing the needs of families, children, and their communities

SUCCESS FACTORS

This program is well-suited for students who:

• Have strong observational and analytical skills.
• Are willing to work as a member of diverse interprofessional teams.
• Have strong language (oral and written) skills.
• Are self-reliant and enjoy challenges.
• Are interested in learning theories and nurturing children`s learning through play.
• Are comfortable using computers and other forms of technology.
• Enjoy working with children and their families.
• Have an appreciation for the importance of research.

Early childhood education is a physically demanding profession. Individuals entering this profession must be able to lift children, materials and equipment (up to 70 pounds). As well, individuals must be able to move quickly/run between areas in the room and outside in order to ensure children`s safety. In addition, educators must constantly observe children to ensure safety and to assess children`s abilities, skills and interest in order to develop meaningful curricula. Entering the program without these abilities may result in unsuccessful practicum/placements and students who fail to successfully complete placements are not eligible to graduate from the program.

Careers

Graduates of this program are eligible to register with the College of Early Childhood Educators. Graduates may find employment opportunities in community health agencies, Early ON centres, municipal and provincial government and non-government agencies, addressing the needs of families, children, and their communities. Entrepreneurial opportunities (e.g. consulting, marketing of educational toys, etc.) are emerging.

Pathways

Please use our Pathways tool to search for pathway options.

The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:

1. Contribute to early learning and community development for children and families using research and evidence-based practice from the fields of psychology, early learning, education, sociology, and social work.
2. Communicate professionally, in all modalities to support children, their families and their communities to document research findings and inform the public and profession.
3. Use cross cultural competencies and evidence-based practice to initiate and develop supportive, respectful, responsive and professional relationships when working with children, families and the broader community, including Indigenous peoples and Francophone culture.
4. Develop inclusive curricula by using observation strategies and applying research and evidence-based practices in early learning and community development pedagogy.
5. Design and deliver effective needs assessments, draft action plans, and implement and evaluate community based early learning projects.
6. Co-create and evaluate inclusive, equitable, safe and healthy learning environments for children, families, and communities.
7. Apply relevant legislation, regulations, standards and the College of Early Childhood Educators Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice to inform the development, implementation and evaluation of programs for children, families and their communities.
8. Identify and analyze local, national and international standards, trends and directions in the early learning profession to inform leadership practices.
9. Coordinate, implement and lead early learning services and community partners and stakeholders through the assessment and analysis of data on organizational structures and behaviours.
10. Develop a personal philosophy of early learning and community development using methodologies of reflective practice and evidence-based theoretical perspectives.
11. Apply a variety of leadership skills to work collaboratively with community partners and stakeholders, families and children to advocate for quality early learning programs and services.
12. Advocate for the importance of the natural environment in supporting the development of healthy communities for children and their families through the application of current research and knowledge.
13. Identify and apply discipline-specific practices that contribute to the local and global community through social responsibility, economic commitment and environmental stewardship.

Application Information

BACHELOR OF EARLY LEARNING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT (ENTRY LEVEL 5) (HONOURS)
Program Code 1617B01FWO

Applications to full-time day programs must be submitted with official transcripts showing completion of the academic admission requirements through:

ontariocolleges.ca
60 Corporate Court
Guelph, Ontario N1G 5J3
1-888-892-2228

Students currently enrolled in an Ontario secondary school should notify their Guidance Office prior to their online application at www.ontariocolleges.ca.

Applications for Fall Term and Winter Term admission received by February 1 will be given equal consideration. Applications received after February 1 will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis as long as places are available.

International applicants please visit this link for application process information: https://algonquincollege.force.com/myACint/.

For further information on the admissions process, contact:

Registrar`s Office
Algonquin College
1385 Woodroffe Ave
Ottawa, ON
K2G 1V8
Telephone: 613-727-0002
Toll-free: 1-800-565-4723
TTY: 613-727-7766
Fax:613-727-7632
Contact: https://www.algonquincollege.com/ro

Program Resources

Algonquin College has been granted consent by the Minister of Colleges and Universities to offer this applied degree for a seven-year term, starting May 10, 2022. The College shall ensure that all students admitted to the above-named program during this period of consent have the opportunity to complete the program within a reasonable timeframe.

Students may apply for transfer of academic credits from Algonquin College (internal transfer) or from other institutions (external transfer). College Policies AA09 and AA10 apply to transfer of credits. For more information visit: www.algonquincollege.com/directives. Students may apply for credit by challenging courses using Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR). College Policy AA06 applies to PLAR. Students pay a fee for each course they wish to be exempt from and, through either a portfolio or challenge examination, a PLAR may lead to the acceptance of work and life experience in lieu of taking certain courses. For more information visit: www.algonquincollege.com/col/plar.html.

ACADEMIC PROBATION:
Students who have two or more F grades in a given term or whose term grade point average falls below C- are considered to be on academic probation (Policy AA14 Grading System). This requires the student to meet with their academic advisor or coordinator to sign a learning contract which identifies the conditions which must be met to continue in the program. Students who do not meet the terms of their learning contract are withdrawn from the program.

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS:
Students must achieve a minimum of a 1.7 final G.P.A to meet graduation status.

Completion of the total number of work terms listed under the courses section on the program page are mandatory for graduation. Students must make every effort to remain on schedule and participate in work term(s) as planned. Students who fail to complete work term(s) as scheduled may be required to take an unscheduled break in their studies, resulting in a delay in graduation in order to complete their work term at a later date. Taking an unscheduled break in studies can impact an international student’s immigration status, including, in most cases, the ability to work. International students are advised to consult with the International Education Centre to understand the potential implications of unscheduled breaks at www.algonquincollege.com/international/student-handouts/scheduled-unscheduled-breaks/.