Early Childhood Education (Two Year Bridging)

In July 2021, the Governments of Canada and Newfoundland and Labrador announced an agreement that will transform early learning and child care in the province starting in 2022. This plan has multiple components that include increasing access to regulated child care by creating nearly approximately 5800 child care spaces, reducing cost of regulated child care, further increasing inclusivity by creating more spaces, funding and ECE training for diverse populations, increasing bursary funding for ECEs, as well as increasing the number of fully certified ECEs working in the child care sector by 15 percent by the end of 2023 and to at least 60 percent by the end of 2025.

Source: https://www.gov.nl.ca/releases/2021/exec/0728n08/

Program Description

Academy Canada’s Early Childhood Education (Two Year Bridging Diploma) program will enable graduates of the One Year program and Level 1 Child Care Services certified individuals to return to complete the second year and qualify to apply for Level II Child Care Services Certification. This program prepares students for this high-demand career in the field of early childhood education, working with children from infancy to 12 years. Students will learn how to create, develop and maintain programs and learning environments that are appropriate for the ages and stages of development of the children under their care. Students will also learn how to guide staff in the development, implementation and evaluation of program goals and objectives. Through both classroom instruction and practicum placements, students will also learn how to create environments that promote children’s social and emotional development, how to maintain a healthy, safe, welcoming and supportive environment that respects diversity and culture, and how to develop and maintain a warm, caring, and responsive relationship with an individual child as well as with a group of children. Graduates of this program will qualify to apply for Level II Child Care Services (CCS) Certification.

Program Courses:

• Administration and Legal Responsibilities
• Infant and Toddler Care
• Student Success
• Word Processing
• Standard First Aid
• Practicum 1
• School-Age Care
• Inclusion in Child Care
• Practicum 2
• Verbal Intervention

Employment Opportunities

Upon successful completion of the Early Childhood Education (Two Year Bridging Diploma) program, students may be eligible to work (depending on specific hiring practices) in a variety of settings, including publicly funded child care settings, privately operated child care settings, home-based child care settings and family resource programs.

Entrance Requirements

Students seeking entry to the Early Childhood Education (Two Year Bridging Diploma) program must meet the educational requirements for a one-year post-secondary certificate in Newfoundland and Labrador.

High School or Equivalent

High School Graduates or equivalent are eligible for admission to the Early Childhood Education (Two Year Bridging Diploma) program. Students must complete an application form and provide a copy of High School, Adult Basic Education, or G.E.D. results. Under certain circumstances, students who do not complete the formal High School requirements may be accepted upon the recommendation of a High School Principal or Guidance Counsellor. Please contact an Admissions Officer for further details.

Mature Students

Mature Students are eligible for admission to the Early Childhood Education (Two Year Bridging Diploma) program. These students must be at least 19 years of age, complete an application form, provide a copy of recent marks, and write a Canadian Adult Achievement Test (CAAT) as arranged by Academy Canada.

Specific Entrance Requirements

Students must submit two written letters of reference (no personal references), a Certificate of Conduct with Vulnerable Sector Check and Child Protection Record Check from their local Police Department; students are solely accountable for any offences not uncovered by the investigation which may preclude the student from subsequent practicums or employment. Applicants to this program must also attend a personal interview.

Subject to change