The Early Childcare Assistant program was developed to equip childcare workers with valuable knowledge, skills and experience for employment as Assistants in daycares or early learning centres.  It was designed to give students an overview of the responsibilities of an early childcare assistant and opportunities to perform those responsibilities. 
In addition to covering early childhood development, program planning, communication and other vital topics in childcare, the program also includes the role of computers in a childcare setting and how to use this tool to enhance the development in children.
Is this the right course for your career?

Would you like to assist and participate in the day to day operations of a childcare centre or early learning centre? Are you interested in learning about early childhood development, program planning, communication and other vital topics in childcare including health and safety issues during daily operations and the nutritional requirements of young children?

IF YOUR ANSWER IS YES, THEN THIS IS THE RIGHT PROGRAM FOR YOU.

Career Opportunities:

Graduates may find employment as assistant teachers in child care centre's and nursery schools, or as family-home child care providers. Job titles include: Child Care Assistant, Child Care Worker, Daycare Early Childhood Educator Assistant, Day Care Worker, Day Care Teacher, Preschool Teacher, Baby Care Worker, Infant Day Care Worker, Nursery School Helper, and Preschool Helper.

Admissions Requirement:
 
-Grade 12 Diploma or equivalent
- Mature student status 
- 2 step TB Skin Test and Vaccinations record
-Police Clearance

Program Outline:

Course Code       Modules

ECA 201  Introduction to Early Child Care and Education
ECA 202  Roles and Responsibilities
ECA 203  Child, Family and Community
ECA 204  Introduction to Child Development
ECA 205  Introduction to Prenatal and Infant Development
ECA 206  Introduction to Toddler Development
ECA 207  Introduction to Preschool Development
ECA 208  Observation Skills
ECA 209  Guiding Children
ECA 210  Curriculum Planning
ECA 211  Written Communication Skills
ECA 212  Health and Safety
ECA 213  Nutrition
ECA 214  CPR and First Aid Training
ECA 215  NACC exam
ECA 216  Clinical Placement (Practicum)

Introduction to Early Child Care and Education  ( ECA 201 )     
This module presents an overview of Early Child Care and Education. Students gain an appreciation of the historical development of child care and its impact on contemporary approached to care and curriculum. The role of government and associations in Canadian child care and education are explained. The QUAD principles in child care are introduced. And students will develop strategies for being a successful student.

Roles and Responsibilities ( ECA 202 )            
Students are presented with the professional expectations of early childcare workers, including the roles and responsibilities, attitudes, ethical standards and advocacy issues. The importance of teamwork, work place communication and being a role module are addressed. Strategies for time and stress management are presented. Critical thinking and professional development strategies are also covered.

Child, Family and Community ( ECA 203 )       
This module presents an in-depth look at the Canadian Family and the challenges facing families. Working with parents/guardians and building partnerships with families through formal and informal communication is discussed. Students will also gain an understanding of community-based support programs available to assist families who are facing specific challenges.

Introduction to Child Development ( ECA 204 )       
In this module student develop an appreciation and understanding of historical and contemporary theories of development, developmental domains and research approaches to child development.

Introduction to Prenatal and Infant Development ( ECA 205 )     
In this module students develop an appreciation and understanding of historical and contemporary theories of development, developmental domains and research approaches to prenatal and infant development.

Introduction to Toddler Development  ( ECA 206 )      
In this module students develop an appreciation and understanding of historical and contemporary theories of development, developmental domains and research approaches to toddler development.

Introduction to Preschool Development ( ECA 207 )     
In this module students develop an appreciation and understanding of historical and contemporary theories of development, developmental domains and research approaches to preschool development.

Observation Skills   ( ECA 208 )            
This module introduces the role of the observer and a variety of approaches to observing development. Ethical standards in observation and documentation are discussed. Writing concise, accurate and objective observations is introduced along with a variety of tools for observation.

Guiding Children  ( ECA 209 )         
This module looks at different care giving styles and how each style affects the development of the child. Dimensions of care giving are discussed and positive, developmentally appropriate techniques for guiding children are presented. Cultural sensitivity and various influences on child behaviour are discussed in the context of incorporating positive intervention and discipline strategies.

Curriculum Planning ( ECA 210 )       
This module introduces various approaches to curriculum and theories of learning. Curriculum environments and program documentation are covered in the context of developmentally appropriate practices. Various elements of curriculum are introduced including activities and themes, circle time and center activities. Play is presented as the main method for encouraging child development.

Written Communication Skills  ( ECA 211 )          
Students are presented with skills to improve their proficiency in written communication and documentation in a child care setting. Attention to details in written communication through proof reading, referencing source material and verifying the accuracy of numerical entries is stressed. Evaluating the reliability and accuracy of written material is discussed.

Health and Safety  ( ECA 212 )             
This module presents concepts and strategies for developing and maintaining a safe and healthy child care setting. Students review Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) regulations, fire codes and Workplace Hazardous Material Information System (W.H.M.I.S.) as well as discussing employer policies and procedures for emergencies. Child abuse recognition and responsibilities to report are covered. The role of the child care worker in children’s daily habits and routines is defined in addition to specific infant and toddler health issues. Personal health and wellness strategies are stressed.

Nutrition ( ECA 213 )               
This module looks at various factors that affect young children’s eating habits and stresses encouraging positive and healthy eating habits. Students look at Canada’s Food Guide to Healthy Living as a basis for determining the variety of foods, the number of serving and serving size when planning menus. Safe handling, preparation, serving and storage of food are presented. Safety issues around eating are discussed as well as special dietary requirements.

•CPR and First Aid Training ( ECA 214 )

You will attend two full days CPR and First Aid Training arranged by the college. After successfully complete the two day training, you will receive a CPR certificate which will be valid for a year and a certificate for First Aid which will last for three years. You can always come back to the college to renew it after before it is expired.

•NACC exam  ( ECA 215 )
NACC stands for National Association of Career Colleges. We are a proud member of NACC. All ECA students are required to write NACC ECA exam at the end of the program. Once you pass NACC exam, you will be receiving a ECA diploma and NACC ECA certificate which will enable you to work anywhere in Canada.

•Clinical Placement ( ECA 216 )

The college will arrange all the students to do their clinical placement in Day Care Centre for different ages of children and Community Centre after the students have successfully completed the theory study inside the college.