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Early Childhood Education

Available as a two-year program, distance or apprenticeship studies

Early childhood education is a profession that offers a rewarding career and a wide range of employment opportunities. Registered early childhood educators are committed to supporting young children, their families and communities in settings designed to build and maintain inclusive, responsive relationships that support holistic development, optimal learning and well-being.
  • Credential
    • Two-year Ontario College Diploma

  • Start Date

    September entry

  • Location
    • Belleville campus

Find your career

Graduates work as registered early childhood educators in various settings:

  • Private and public full-day kindergarten programs
  • Before- and after-school programs
  • Child care centres
  • EarlyON child and family centres
  • Nursery schools
  • Private home child care
  • Children's services, including support with special needs, mental health services and early intervention programs
  • Live-in and live-out nannies, both in Canada and abroad
  • Resource centres
  • Cruise ships and resorts
  • Children's museums, art galleries and science centres

Our grads get great jobs

  • Early Childhood Educator, Algonquin & Lakeshore Catholic District School Board
  • Educational Assistant, Hastings & Prince Edward District School Board
  • Toddler Room & School Aged Children RECE, First Adventure Child Development Centre
  • Toddler Toom RECE, YMCA Muskoka Family Focus
  • RECE, Military Family Resource Centre

Is it for you?

You love kids. Of course you do. But is this the career for you? It may be a good fit if you have:

  • Patience and compassion
  • A creative approach to problem solving
  • The ability to approach a challenge from different perspectives
  • A sense of fun

What employers say

“Early Childhood Education students are getting an extremely formative background here at Loyalist. They are led by people that have a real vision for play-based learning and they’re given lots of opportunities to apply theory into practice.”
Lynne Crawford Beare
Curriculum Coordinator, Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board

Experiential learning

Loyalist’s ECE program consistently ranks high in student and graduate satisfaction, combining theory with practice:

  • Design and implement curriculum to meet the diverse learning needs of children at different stages.
  • Learning emphasizes inclusive practices, partnerships with families, multiple intelligences and evidence-based practices.
  • Get a range of experiences in community early learning programs for infants , toddlers, preschoolers and school-aged children.

Outstanding faculty make the difference

  • Experienced faculty share their knowledge of best practices and today’s job realities.
  • Teachers work with students in the selection of placement experiences to support their individual interests and career goals.

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