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A career in Early Childhood Education |
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…much more than babysitting!
Do you enjoy spending long periods of time with young children? Do you wish to make a difference in someone's life? Would you like inspire learning and creativity?
If you answered yes, a career in Early Childhood Education (ECE) might be for you. Students completing an ECE Diploma learn how to interact and support the development of children ages 3-5 years. ECE Diploma graduates can continue to take courses to specialize in working with Infants and Toddlers or children with Special Needs.
Did You Know?
There are many rewarding jobs available in the province! ECE graduates work in licensed preschools, child care centres, Strong Start programs and family home child care. Other careers include: Community Care Licensing Officers, consultants, or as a directors or program administrators in a childcare organization.
Are You Ready To...?
- Prepare interesting educational spaces for children
- Learn how to help children solve problems
- Plan programmes to encourage children's learning and development
- Practise working as a team
- Make learning resources (e.g. flannel stories, games, musical instruments)
- Learn about the many philosophies of early childhood education from Emergent Curriculum to Montessori
Working Conditions
An ECE career can be:
- Physically demanding as standing, walking, bending, stooping and lifting are required to interact with young children. Running in the playground, walking around the neighbourhood and visiting places in the community are commonplace.
- Emotionally satisfying as celebrating successes with children, anticipating and preventing problems, supporting children to work through conflicts, sharing information with families are typical.
- Emotionally taxing as educators must give a lot to the children and families on a daily basis. Quality educators must be constantly enthusiastic and alert. An early childhood environment is full of activity which may be challenging and noisy.
Education Program Checklist
- Does the program focus on one educational philosophy, or does it introduce students to several?
- What are the entrance requirements required for admission?
- Is there access to student awards and bursaries?
- Are there services to support student success e.g. writing centre, counselling?
Course Spotlight – Practicum
Teachers themselves must learn in the way that the children in their classes will be learning. (Duckworth)
In practicum, ECE students have hands-on experiences working with children. In the ECE Diploma program at Thompson Rivers University (TRU) there is a 10 week practicum in both the first and second semesters. ECE students and instructors are involved with the children twice a week: in the 3-5 year old program (Cariboo Child Care Society) and in the Children’s Program (in the ECE dedicated classrooms). This on-campus experience provides a valuable opportunity for students and instructors to work together with the same group of children to:
- develop long term relationships with the children;
- work as a team and learn from each other;
- put into practise what students are learning in classes:
- provide weekly feedback regarding student performance.
Another important part of the TRU practicum is the opportunity for ECE students to visit a number of programs with different educational philosophies, so they can find out which approach suits them best. ECEs also mentor TRU practicum students in 2 community practica (April of Year 1 and October-November of Year 2)
A career working with children and families can be rewarding fulfilling and a lot of fun. As an early childhood educator you will provide quality child care and education to our most valuable resource – children.
Interesting websites:
www.ecebc.ca
www.tru.ca/education/programs/ece
www.mcf.gov.bc.ca/childcare
www.workfutures.bc.ca/profiles
www.acc-society.bc.ca |
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