Early Childhood Education - Infant & Toddler / Special Needs Specializations
Take your ECE career to the next level. Vancouver Career College offers the Early Childhood Education - Infant & Toddler / Special Needs Specializations to students who already have basic Early Childhood Certification.
This part-time program expands students' understanding of Early Childhood Education in either the area of infant/toddler or special needs training education, or both. Students build on their knowledge of working with infants and toddlers, family and community interaction, childhood development, and administration duties for childcare centres.
Graduates of this program will receive a Special Needs Educator license and/or an Infant/Toddler Educator license. Each program specialization is made up of seven courses and one practicum. In order to qualify for both licenses, students are required to complete nine courses and two practicum placements.
“Vancouver Career College offered me so many great things. Not only have I learned the fundamentals of ECE, I was able to work with children and learn so much from them also.” - Julia L. Vancouver Career College Graduate
Program Courses
The program outline below is for British Columbia.
| COURSE CODE | COURSE NAME | CREDITS |
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- Students will review typical development from birth to six years of age. This module includes a focus on recognition of children who require additional support with an emphasis placed on current theory and research. Students will apply their knowledge of child growth and development and individual differences using a case study approach.
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- This module examines the knowledge, strategies and competencies needed by the early childhood educator to collaborate effectively with families of infants, toddlers and children who need additional support. The ethics of empowerment of families, professionals, and children is also examined. Students will review the family systems approach, communication skills and the family-centred care model.
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- Working with infants and toddlers poses new challenges for the early childhood educator. This course will help the student develop the understanding and skills necessary for sensitive and respectful responding to infants and toddlers in-group care settings.
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- Students will build on their prior understanding of developmentally appropriate curriculum for very young children. Students will have opportunities to design high quality infant and toddler programs and activities.
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- A six-week, integrated community-based practicum, supervised by a Certified Infant Toddler Educator (Sponsor Teacher) with additional observation and evaluation by ECE Faculty from Vancouver Career College. This laboratory course provides the student with opportunities for the development and implementation of comprehensive projects that demonstrate advanced professional knowledge and practice.
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- This module prepares students in the administrative duties of a preschool or daycare. Topics such as program philosophy and policy design, financial management, organizational structure, staff development and relationships with families and community will be highlighted.
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- This module equips the student with knowledge and skills for planning, implementing and evaluating health practices for infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and children who need extra support in integrated and infant/toddler settings.
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- This module is designed for those requiring specialized skills in the care and guidance of working with children who require additional support. Students will explore the selection and use of appropriate assessment materials and intervention techniques for working with children who have special needs. A family-centered approach, which focuses on promoting social interactions among children, will be taken.
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- The emphasis of this module is on adaptation of special care needs and curriculum development to the various group care environments. Child development principles will provide the basis for program planning and implementation.
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- A six-week, integrated community-based practicum, supervised by a Certified Special Needs Educator with additional observation and evaluation by ECE Faculty from Vancouver Career College. This laboratory course provides the student with opportunities for the development and implementation of comprehensive projects that demonstrate advanced professional knowledge and practice.
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- Students review core program concepts and learning in order to market their skills effectively. Students will have the use of our Job Search lab which has unlimited Internet access, a job search resource library and a fax machine and phone for contacting prospective employers with your resume. Facilitators will also be made available to advise on job finding resources, interview skills and techniques and to carry out mock interviews.