Early Childhood Education Program (Accelerated) (C160)
Program Description
Leadership Claims
George Brown College has been preparing graduates to work as Early Childhood Educators for more than 20 years.
Program Overview
This Early Childhood Education program is currently offering a $2,000 tuition grant to domestic students starting in September 2023.*
*This opportunity is funded in partnership with the City of Toronto, the Region of Durham, the Region of Peel, the Province of Ontario, and the Government of Canada under the new Canada-Ontario Early Childhood Workforce Agreement, which provides one-time federal funding to support the retention and recruitment of a high-quality child care and early years workforce.
George Brown College's Early Childhood Education (ECE) (Accelerated) (C160) program is a condensed version of our two-year diploma program delivered over 16 consecutive months. Students in this ECE Diploma program will learn how to design curriculum for child-centred, play-based learning and will develop skills to respond to each child's unique needs and interests as they grow and develop. Students will learn to work with infants, toddlers, preschool and school-aged children in a variety of early childhood education settings.
Full Description
This Early Childhood Education program is currently offering a $2,000 tuition grant to domestic students starting in September 2023.*
George Brown College's Early Childhood Education (Accelerated) (C160) program allows students to complete this diploma program more quickly by studying for 16 consecutive months from September 2023 through December 2024, with no breaks in between.
In this 16-month, continuous ECE Diploma program, you will learn how to support children as they grow. You’ll study the physical, cognitive, social and emotional development stages of infants (from six weeks), toddlers, preschoolers and school-aged children (to 12 years) and will learn to recognize key behaviours associated with each developmental stage.
You'll learn to design curriculum for child-centred, play-based learning in a variety of early childhood educational settings and will develop skills to respond to each child's unique needs and interests as they grow and develop.
PLEASE NOTE: Some of our clinical or work placement partners may require students to show proof of full vaccination. As such, students who are not fully vaccinated against COVID-19 may not be able to complete the required field placement component of their program in the regularly scheduled time frame. Please visit this page for the latest updates on COVID-19.
FAST-TRACK – DIRECT ENTRY (10 MONTHS)
You may qualify for the fast-track program if you have a diploma or degree in a related field. For details visit Early Childhood Education (Fast-Track) (C130).
*This opportunity is funded in partnership with the City of Toronto, the Region of Durham, the Region of Peel, the Province of Ontario, and the Government of Canada under the new Canada-Ontario Early Childhood Workforce Agreement, which provides one-time federal funding to support the retention and recruitment of a high-quality child care and early years workforce.
Your Field Education Options
Field placement plays an important role in this ECE (Accelerated) program as it provides a continuum of experience that gives students the opportunity to build on their learning as they develop skills and progress through the program.
We approach teaching and learning in this program by alternating blocks of classroom theory with field practice. By providing regular intervals for students to apply the theoretical knowledge they are learning with practical, hands-on experience, it helps you build effective skills as an ECE practitioner and as a leader. Employers value this approach because it prepares our graduates to work as early childhood educators on day one.
Our Early Childhood Education students complete a seven-week field placement in each semester of the program. During this time, students have the opportunity to work with children of different age groups in a variety of settings.
To support student learning outcomes and ensure you have access to facilities that model the best practices we consider essential, we own and operate Ontario's largest network of school-run child care centres that serve over 1,100 children and their families each year. These 12 child care centres, located across the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), will expose you to the kinds of environments where you will eventually work and provide valuable services to the families and communities that they serve.
Career & Postgraduate Study Opportunities
Industry
Successful completion of this ECE (Accelerated) Diploma program will make you eligible for entrance to Ontario's College of Early Childhood Educators as a Registered Early Childhood Educator.
George Brown ECE graduates will:
- learn to design curriculum for child-centred, play-based learning
- support children’s learning and development by responding to their unique needs and interests
- build caring relationships with children, families and communities
- create safe, healthy and inclusive early learning environments
Educational Pathways
Students who complete George Brown's Early Childhood Education Diploma program with a GPA of 2.50 or higher may apply to complete the bridge courses for entry into the third year of our Honours Bachelor of Early Childhood Leadership (Degree Completion) program.
Your George Brown Early Childhood Education diploma will also give you credit toward degree programs at other institutions.
For information on future study options, see Transfer Guide.
Alumni Impact
We are immensely proud of the contributions of our alumni in Toronto and around the globe.
From Michelin-starred restaurants to major construction, entertainment, community and financial organizations, our graduates are truly making an impact across a range of industries.
Courses
Required Courses
SEMESTER 1
Code | Course Name |
---|---|
ECE 1000 | Professional Development Workshop 1 |
ECE 1069 | Health, Safety and Nutrition |
ECE 1070 | Interpersonal Communication |
ECE 1075 | Foundations of ECE |
ECE 2045 | Applied Curriculum |
PSY 1075 | Infant and Child Development |
ECE 1024 | Field Practice I |
ECE 1181 | Integrated Seminar I |
COMM 2000 | Communicating Across Contexts** |
SEMESTER 2
Code | Course Name |
---|---|
ECE 1069 | Health, Safety and Nutrition |
ECE 2045 | Applied Curriculum |
PSY 1075 | Infant and Child Development |
ECE 1089 | Observation, Planning and Evaluation |
ECE 1026 | Field Practice II |
ECE 1182 | Integrated Seminar II |
ECE 1075 | Foundations of ECE |
ECE 1070 | Interpersonal Communication |
ECE 1095 | Anti-racism in the Early Years |
GNED | General Education Elective |
SEMESTER 3
Code | Course Name |
---|---|
ECE 2048 | Policy, Advocacy and Legislation |
ECE 2049 | Inclusion In Early Childhood |
ECE 2050 | Working with Families |
ECE 1080 | Professional Development Workshop 2 |
ECE 2053 | Curriculum Theory |
ECE 2056 | Creative Curriculum |
ECE 2061 | Social Policy in the Early Year |
ECE 2056 | Creative Curriculum |
ECE 2014 | Field Practice III |
ECE 1183 | Integrated Seminar III |
GSSC 1064 | Introduction to Sociology |
SEMESTER 4
Code | Course Name |
---|---|
ECE 2048 | Policy, Advocacy and Legislation |
ECE 2049 | Inclusion In Early Childhood |
ECE 2050 | Working with Families |
ECE 2053 | Curriculum Theory |
ECE 2057 | Current Issues |
ECE 2017 | Field Practice IV
|
ECE 1184
| Integrated Seminar IV
|
GNED | General Education Elective |
**Based on the results of your placement test, you may be required to take COMM 1000 (Introduction to College Communication) before progressing to COMM 2000. COMM 1000 does not count as a course required for graduation, and you will be charged for this extra course. Please visit Assessment Centre for more information.
Program Learning Outcomes
The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:
- Create learning contexts to enable, build and maintain caring, responsive relationships in partnerships with children, families and communities that value and respect social, cultural and linguistic diversity including Indigenous peoples' world views and Francophone identity.
- Co-create, facilitate and reflect upon inquiry and play-based early years and child care programs and pedagogical approaches to support children's learning, holistic development and well-being following children's capabilities, interests, ideas and experiences.
- Co-design and maintain inclusive early-learning environments to value and support equitable, accessible and meaningful learning opportunities for all children, their families and communities in a range of early years and child care settings.
- Collaborate with children, families, colleagues, agencies and community partners to create, maintain, evaluate and promote safe and healthy early-learning environments to support independence, reasonable risk-taking and healthy development and well-being.
- Use observation strategies to identify children's strengths and challenges and to ascertain when children and families might benefit from additional support or community resources.
- Use professional communication in interactions with children, families, colleagues, employers, the regulatory body, government authorities and children's service agencies to meet legal and ethical standards of the early years sector.
- Act in accordance with relevant legislation, regulations, College of Early Childhood Educators Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice, agency policies and procedures and principles of evidence-informed practice and reflect upon their impact on one's own role in early years and child care settings.
- Identify, report and document when a child is in a situation of perceived risk for, or actual neglect or abuse, in accordance with legislation, the College of Early Childhood Educators Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice, policies and procedures.
- Create and engage in partnerships with families, communities, colleagues, interdisciplinary professionals, authorities and child service agencies to advocate for quality early years and child care programs and services.
- Engage in reflective practice and continuous professional learning in accordance with principles of lifelong learning, evidence-informed practices in the early years sector and requirements of the College of Early Childhood Educators.
Tuition & Fees
Domestic Tuition
International Tuition
Additional Costs
* Amounts listed are the total of tuition, materials, student service and ancillary fees for the first three semesters of programs starting in Fall 2022. Fees are subject to change for programs starting in Fall 2023 and at later dates.
** Amounts listed are the total of tuition, materials, student service and ancillary fees for the three semesters of the program starting in Fall 2023. Fees are subject to change for programs starting in Fall 2024 and at later dates.
International Students
Visit the International Fees and Related Costs page for more information.
Financial Assistance
This program is approved for OSAP funding, provided the applicant meets OSAP eligibility criteria.
Each year we award over $2 million dollars in scholarships, awards and bursaries to first-year students. Check out our financial aid webpages for ways to pay for college and the full list of available scholarships, awards and bursaries.
Disclaimer: The information contained in this website is subject to change without notice. It should not be viewed as a representation, offer or warranty. Students are responsible for verifying George Brown College fee requirements.
Admission Requirements
Applicants are selected on the basis of their academic achievement, including the required courses, and any other selection criteria outlined below.
PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS PROGRAM IS DELIVERED IN CONSECUTIVE SEMESTERS, WITH NO BREAK. STUDENTS WILL BE IN CLASS FROM SEPTEMBER 2023 TO DECEMBER 2024.
- Ontario Secondary School Diploma or equivalent**
- grade 12 English (C or U) PLUS any additional (3) grade 12 C, U, M or grade 11 C, U or M credits
** Mature Student Status (19 years of age or older and no OSSD)
Mature students may take the Admissions Assessment for English, OR may consider upgrading to achieve the credit(s) needed in English.
Please note that George Brown is committed to ensuring that applicants will succeed in their program of choice and meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission to the program. Applicants may be required to have grades higher than the minimum requirements stated.
Course Exemptions
College or university credits may qualify you for course exemptions. Please visit Transfer Guide for more information.
International Students
Visit the International Admissions page for more information.
International Students
Visit the International Admissions page for more information regarding country specific admission requirements.
Special Requirements
Field placement is a mandatory and complex component of the program. Should accommodation issues arise, an Accessible Learning Consultant may be called upon to assist the applicant in determining whether she/he can meet the requirements necessary for safe caregiving for young children.
In compliance with requests from our student placement partners and requirements from Public Health and Ontario legislation, all students in this program must have completed the following prior to beginning field placement:
- Standard First Aid with CPR level C course
- Police Vulnerable Sector Check
- medical clearance
Students who are unable to provide completed field clearance documents may be unable to complete their field placement and, therefore, will be unable to complete the program.
For more information on the ECE field placement requirements, please email ece@georgebrown.ca.
Public Health recommends that people working with young children and other vulnerable communities be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. As such, students who are not fully vaccinated against COVID-19 may not be able to complete the required field placement component of their program in the regularly scheduled time frame.
How to Apply
Domestic students should apply through Ontario Colleges.
International Students
Visit the How to Apply page for more information on how and when to apply.
International students should apply through the George Brown College Online Application System.
Contact Us
School of Early Childhood
Phone: 416-415-5000, ext. 2310
Email: ece@georgebrown.ca
Our office hours are 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
For more information about George Brown College, you may also call the Contact Centre at 416-415-2000 or long distance 1-800-265-2002.
Contact one of our international recruitment representatives specializing by country of origin by either booking a virtual meeting or submitting an inquiry. For more information visit the International Contact Us page
Early Childhood Education Program (Accelerated) (C160)
Program Description
Leadership Claims
Preparing graduates to work as Early Childhood Educators for more than 20 years.
Program Overview
All domestic students who accept their offer to the September 2022 intake for (C160) will receive a $4,000 tuition grant awarded in two lump sums with the first $2,000 applied to Semester 1 fees and the remaining $2,000 applied to Semester 3 fees. Upon enrolling in this program, your account will be automatically updated. No further action is required.*
This Early Childhood Education (ECE) program is a condensed version of our two-year diploma program delivered over 16 consecutive months. The program uses rotating blocks of theory and practice to give you the skills you need to work with children from six weeks to 12 years of age in a variety of settings.
Full Description
All domestic students who accept their offer to the September 2022 intake for (C160) will receive a $4,000 tuition grant awarded in two lump sums with the first $2,000 applied to Semester 1 fees and the remaining $2,000 applied to Semester 3 fees. Upon enrolling in this program, your account will be automatically updated. No further action is required.*
The Early Childhood Education (Accelerated) program allows students to complete this diploma program more quickly by studying for 16 consecutive months with no breaks in between (September 2022 through December 2023).
In this 16-month, continuous diploma program, you will learn how to support children as they grow. You'll study the physical, cognitive, social and emotional development stages of infants (from six weeks), toddlers, preschoolers and school-aged children (to 12 years) and will learn to recognize key behaviours associated with each developmental stage.
We have structured this program to alternate between in-class learning and field placement. This method of teaching helps you to develop confidence in your abilities as you learn to apply key concepts from the classroom to a real-world setting. Employers value this approach because it makes our graduates ready to work as early childhood educators on day one.
PLEASE NOTE: Some of our clinical or work placement partners may require students to show proof of full vaccination. As such, students who are not fully vaccinated against COVID-19 may not be able to complete the required field placement component of their program in the regularly scheduled time frame. Please visit this page for the latest updates on COVID-19.
FAST-TRACK – DIRECT ENTRY (10 MONTHS)
You may qualify for the fast-track program if you have a diploma or degree in a related field. For details visit Early Childhood Education (Fast-Track) (C130).
*This opportunity is funded in partnership with the City of Toronto, The Region of Peel, The Region of Durham, The Region of Halton, the Province of Ontario and Government of Canada under the new Canada-Ontario Early Childhood Workforce Agreement, which provides one-time federal funding to support the retention and recruitment of a high-quality child care and early years workforce.
- City of Toronto: https://www.toronto.ca/careersinchildcare
- Region of Peel: https://peelregion.ca/children/
- Region of Durham: www.durham.ca/ChildrensServices
- Region of Halton: https://www.halton.ca/For-Business/Professionals/Early-Learning-and-Child-Care-Professionals
Your Field Education Options
Our Early Childhood Education students complete a seven-week field placement in each semester of the program. During this time, students have the opportunity to work with children of different age groups in a variety of settings.
Field placement provides a continuum of experience that gives students the opportunity to integrate and apply theory to practice.
To support student learning outcomes and ensure you have access to facilities that reflect the best practices we consider essential, we own and operate 12 child care centres located across the Greater Toronto Area. These lab schools expose you to the kinds of environments where you will eventually work and provide valuable services to the families and communities that they serve.
Career & Postgraduate Study Opportunities
Educational Pathways
Students who complete the Early Childhood Education program with a GPA of 2.50 or higher may apply to complete the bridge courses for entry into the third year of the Honours Bachelor of Early Childhood Leadership program (C301).
Your Early Childhood Education diploma will give you credit toward degree programs at other institutions. It also makes you eligible for entrance to Ontario’s College of Early Childhood Educators.
For information on future study options, see Transfer Guide.
Courses
Required Courses
SEMESTER 1
Code | Course Name |
---|---|
ECE 1000 | Professional Development Workshop 1 |
ECE 1069 | Health, Safety and Nutrition |
ECE 1070 | Interpersonal Communication |
ECE 1075 | Foundations of ECE |
ECE 1076 | Observation, Planning and Evaluation |
ECE 2045 | Applied Curriculum |
PSY 1075 | Infant and Child Development |
COMM 1007 | College English** |
SEMESTER 2
Code | Course Name |
---|---|
ECE 1069 | Health, Safety and Nutrition |
ECE 1092 | Field Practice I |
ECE 1181 | Integrated Seminar I |
ECE 1076 | Observation, Planning and Evaluation |
ECE 2045 | Applied Curriculum |
PSY 1075 | Infant and Child Development |
ECE 2059 | Field Practice Tutorial I |
GNED | General Education Elective |
SEMESTER 3
Code | Course Name |
---|---|
ECE 2048 | Policy, Advocacy and Legislation |
ECE 2049 | Inclusion In Early Childhood |
ECE 2050 | Working with Families |
ECE 1093 | Field Practice II |
ECE 1182 | Integrated Seminar II |
ECE 1080 | Professional Development Workshop 2 |
ECE 2053 | Curriculum Theory |
ECE 2056 | Creative Curriculum |
ECE 2061 | Social Policy in the Early Year |
ECE 2062 | Field Practice Tutorial II |
GSSC 1064 | Introduction to Sociology |
SEMESTER 4
Code | Course Name |
---|---|
ECE 2048 | Policy, Advocacy and Legislation |
ECE 2049 | Inclusion In Early Childhood |
ECE 2050 | Working with Families |
ECE 2060 | Field Practice III |
ECE 1183 | Integrated Seminar III |
GHUM 1041 | History of Social Policy in Canada |
ECE 2053 | Curriculum Theory |
ECE 2057 | Current Issues |
ECE 2063 | Field Practice Tutorial III |
GNED | General Education Elective |
**Based on the results of your placement test, you may be required to take COMM 1000 Introduction to College Communication before progressing to COMM 1007. COMM 1000 does not count as a course required for graduation, and you will be charged for this extra course. Please visit Assessment Centre for more information.
Program Learning Outcomes
The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:
- Create learning contexts to enable, build and maintain caring, responsive relationships in partnerships with children, families and communities that value and respect social, cultural and linguistic diversity including Indigenous peoples' world views and Francophone identity.
- Co-create, facilitate and reflect upon inquiry and play-based early years and child care programs and pedagogical approaches to support children's learning, holistic development and well-being following children's capabilities, interests, ideas and experiences.
- Co-design and maintain inclusive early-learning environments to value and support equitable, accessible and meaningful learning opportunities for all children, their families and communities in a range of early years and child care settings.
- Collaborate with children, families, colleagues, agencies and community partners to create, maintain, evaluate and promote safe and healthy early-learning environments to support independence, reasonable risk-taking and healthy development and well-being.
- Use observation strategies to identify children's strengths and challenges and to ascertain when children and families might benefit from additional support or community resources.
- Use professional communication in interactions with children, families, colleagues, employers, the regulatory body, government authorities and children's service agencies to meet legal and ethical standards of the early years sector.
- Act in accordance with relevant legislation, regulations, College of Early Childhood Educators Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice, agency policies and procedures and principles of evidence-informed practice and reflect upon their impact on one's own role in early years and child care settings.
- Identify, report and document when a child is in a situation of perceived risk for, or actual neglect or abuse, in accordance with legislation, the College of Early Childhood Educators Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice, policies and procedures.
- Create and engage in partnerships with families, communities, colleagues, interdisciplinary professionals, authorities and child service agencies to advocate for quality early years and child care programs and services.
- Engage in reflective practice and continuous professional learning in accordance with principles of lifelong learning, evidence-informed practices in the early years sector and requirements of the College of Early Childhood Educators.
Tuition & Fees
Domestic Tuition
International Tuition
Additional Costs
* Amounts listed are the total of tuition, materials, student service and ancillary fees for the first three semesters of programs starting in Fall 2021. Fees are subject to change for programs starting in Fall 2022 and at later dates.
** Amounts listed are the total of tuition, materials, student service and ancillary fees for the three semesters of the program starting in Fall 2022. Fees are subject to change for program semesters starting at later dates.
International Students
Visit the International Fees and Related Costs page for more information.
Financial Assistance
This program is approved for OSAP funding, provided the applicant meets OSAP eligibility criteria.
Disclaimer: The information contained in this website is subject to change without notice. It should not be viewed as a representation, offer or warranty. Students are responsible for verifying George Brown College fee requirements.
Admission Requirements
Applicants are selected on the basis of their academic achievement, including the required courses, and any other selection criteria outlined below.
PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS PROGRAM IS DELIVERED IN CONSECUTIVE SEMESTERS, WITH NO BREAK. STUDENTS WILL BE IN CLASS FROM SEPTEMBER 2022 TO DECEMBER 2023.
- Ontario Secondary School Diploma or equivalent**
- grade 12 English (C or U) PLUS any additional (3) grade 12 C, U, M or grade 11 C, U or M credits
** Mature Student Status (19 years of age or older and no OSSD)
Mature students may take the Admissions Assessment for English, OR may consider upgrading to achieve the credit(s) needed in English.
Please note that George Brown is committed to ensuring that applicants will succeed in their program of choice and meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission to the program. Applicants may be required to have grades higher than the minimum requirements stated.
Course Exemptions
College or university credits may qualify you for course exemptions. Please visit Transfer Guide for more information.
International Students
Visit the International Admissions page for more information.
International Students
Visit the International Admissions page for more information regarding country specific admission requirements.
Special Requirements
Field placement is a mandatory and complex component of the program. Should accommodation issues arise, an Accessible Learning Consultant may be called upon to assist the applicant in determining whether she/he can meet the requirements necessary for safe caregiving for young children.
In compliance with requests from our student placement partners and requirements from Public Health and Ontario legislation, all students in this program must have completed the following prior to beginning field placement:
- Standard First Aid with CPR level C course
- Police Vulnerable Sector Check
- Medical Clearance
Students who are unable to provide completed field clearance documents may be unable to complete their field placement and, therefore, will be unable to complete the program.
For more information on the ECE field placement requirements, please email ece@georgebrown.ca.
How to Apply
Domestic students should apply through Ontario Colleges.
International Students
Visit the How to Apply page for more information on how and when to apply.
International students should apply through the George Brown College Online Application System.
Contact Us
School of Early Childhood
Phone: 416-415-5000, ext. 2310
Email: ece@georgebrown.ca
Our office hours are 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
For more information about George Brown College, you may also call the Contact Centre at 416-415-2000 (TTY 1-877-515-5559) or long distance 1-800-265-2002.
Contact one of our international recruitment representatives specializing by country of origin by either booking a virtual meeting or submitting an inquiry. For more information visit the International Contact Us page