The Early Childhood Education program combines theory and coursework with real experience in the field. Students will learn the importance of play in children's learning, family involvement, and curriculum design. Graduates will be qualified to work in a variety of jobs including child care centres, early learning and family centres.
Does shaping and nurturing young minds of the future while enjoying a satisfying, in-demand career interest you? Fanshawes Early Childhood Education program will give you the skills and the hands-on experience to get you on your way.
Our unique program blends theory and coursework with real experience in the field. Youll develop knowledge and professional skills in child development with the assistance of our diverse courses and learn about the valuable and specialized role you play in the community.
Graduates from this program will gain diverse and dynamic skills for the evolving world of childhood education. Youll be qualified to work in a range of jobs including child care centres, early learning and family centres, before and after school programs and with school boards.
This two-year Ontario College Diploma program will develop students' knowledge and professional skills in the early childhood educator's role and responsibilities. Your work placement will expose you to a wide variety of age groups and multiple organizations. Youll have had dynamic and eclectic experiences that will make you more valuable to the field of Early Childhood Education
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 worldviews and Francophone identity
Co-create, facilitate and reflect upon inquiry and play-based early years and child care programs and pedagogical approaches to support childrens learning, holistic development and well-being following childrens 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
Career Information
Graduates of Fanshawes Early Childhood Education program will have the knowledge and skills to work with children, families and the community in the context of early learning and development programs for children from birth to 12 years of age. Graduates will be prepared to find employment in a variety of early childhood settings, including:
child care centres
early learning and parenting centres,
best start programs
nursery schools
pre-kindergarten and kindergartens
social and family centres
before and after school programs
community centres
hospital playrooms
centres or programs for children with exceptionalities
school boards
Here are some examples of career opportunities for graduates of Fanshawes Early Childhood Education (Fast Track) (Weekend) program:
Early Childhood Educator
Deliver enthusiastic and passionate support working with children aged 3 months to four years in a child care centre.
Early Childhood Education Centre Supervisor
Recruit, supervise, mentor and motivate staff to develop and deliver quality curriculum in a classroom setting.
Early Childhood Educator
Plan and implement a child care program while building relationships with families, children and community agencies
*Price shown is for indicative purposes, please check with institution
September 2025
St.Thomas/Elgin Regional Campus
120 Bill Martyn Parkway,
ST. THOMAS,
Ontario (ON),
N5R 6A7, Canada
*Price shown is for indicative purposes, please check with institution
September 2025
Clinton Site
169 Beech Street,
CLINTON,
Ontario (ON),
N0M 1L0, Canada
Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD), or equivalent, or a mature applicant with the following course:
- Grade 12 English (C or U)
Students who do not meet the admission requirements are recommended for academic upgrading. A conditional offer may be possible with proof of enrolment. Alternatively, applicants may choose to do the one-year Human Services Foundation preparatory program to meet all the admissions requirements for this program.
Note:
Graduates of this program may choose to transfer into level 5 of the Honours Bachelor of Early Childhood Leadership Degree program after completing the bridging requirements.
English Language Requirements
TOEFL iBT: 79
IELTS Academic: Overall score of 6.0 with no score less than 5.5 in any of the four bands
CAEL: Overall score of 60 with no score less than 50 in any of the four bands. score of 80 in listening
PTE Academic: 53
Cambridge English: Overall score of 169 with no language skill less than 162
ESL4/GAP5: Minimum grade of 80% in Level 8, 75% in Level 9, or 70% in Level 10
Duolingo: Overall score of 105, with no score lower than 95
*There may be different IELTS requirements depending on your chosen course.
90.3% of Fanshawe graduates find employment within 6 months of graduation, and 85.8% of employers are satisfied with their performance.