Early Childhood Education/ Educational Assistant
Early Childhood Education/ Educational Assistant
Start Date: September & March
Duration: 10 Months
Credential: Diploma
Start Date: September & March
Duration: 10 Months
Credential: Diploma
Program Overview:
Take the first step towards a rewarding career in education with our 10-month dual-diploma in Early Childhood Education/ Educational Assistant Program.
Students gain a diverse skill set to work as educational assistants, learning to support children with varied abilities through both classroom instruction and hands-on experience. The program culminates in an 8-week practicum, providing real-world experience in the educational field.
Additionally, this program offers an articulation agreement with Crandall University, allowing you to pursue a bachelor’s degree after completing your diploma at Oulton. For more details, please consult your admissions advisor.
*Cost breakdown: Book a meeting with one of our Admissions Advisors for a detailed breakdown of costs and tuition for our Early Childhood Education/ Educational Assistant program, we encourage you to. They can provide tailored information and help you understand all financial aspects. Schedule your appointment today to get all the details you need!
- Nearing the end of the Early Childhood Education/Educational Assistance dual-diploma program, we offer
an 8 week on the job training opportunity which helps our students gain valuable hands-on experience
directly in the field of education.
• Oulton College offers the opportunity to be a step ahead of competition when transitioning from college
to the educational work field by offering the following trainings; NVCI (Non-violent Crisis Intervention),
ASK (Suicide Prevention-children), ASSIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training), CPR “C” Training,
Mental Health CPR, FASD (Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Disorder Training), Ally Training and a variety of
professional development learning certifications including training in the New Brunswick Early Learning
Curriculum Framework. Guest speakers are a key component to this training and provide direct
knowledge from the field of education. This allows Oulton students a genuine and unique insight into
various positions that the field has to offer.
• Each student will participate in both individual & group work that reflects their understanding of key
concepts of the field. These tools can be practically used in future employment in education. Students will
also get a chance to evaluate their material on our “kid’s days” where children of staff/students of Oulton
College are invited to our classrooms to play with educational invitations created by our current students.
This is always a class favorite!
• Textbooks are carefully chosen by our highly qualified ECE/EA Instructor Team to be useful learning tools
both during your college experience and while working in the field upon graduation.
- Our Early Childhood Education/Educational Assistance program, 8 week on the job training opportunity, helps our students gain valuable hands-on experience directly in the field of education.
- Oulton College offers the opportunity to be a step ahead of competition when transitioning from college to the educational work field by offering the following trainings; NVCI (Non-violent Crisis Intervention), ASK (Suicide Prevention-children), ASSIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training), CPR “C” Training, Mental Health CPR, FASD (Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Disorder Training), Ally Training and a variety of professional development learning certifications including training in the New Brunswick Early Learning Curriculum Framework.
- Guest speakers are a key component to this training and provide direct knowledge from the field of education. This allows Oulton students a genuine and unique insight into various positions that the field has to offer.
- Each student will participate in both individual & group work that reflects their understanding of key concepts of the field. These tools can be practically used in future employment in education.
- Students will also get a chance to evaluate their material on our “kid’s days” where children of staff/students of Oulton College are invited to our classrooms to play with educational invitations created by our current students. This is always a class favorite!
Our highly qualified ECE/EA Instructor Team will support you throughout this learning period, providing essential tools that will be invaluable during your college experience and in your future career in the field.
- Oulton College puts you a step ahead of competition by offering a dual-diploma program in Early Childhood Education and Educational Assistance which allows you to work in variety of positions in education, including, but not limited to, school systems and early learning centers.
- At Oulton College, ECE/EA Instructors focus on hands-on, play & interest-based learning.
- Hands on experience through ‘kids day’ each term.
Early Childhood Education/ Educational Assistant:
- Interest-based, hands-on learning strategies
- Child guidance and principles of learning techniques
- Developmentally appropriate practices
- New Brunswick Curriculum Framework for Early Learning and Childcare
- Need-specific techniques for working with children of various ages and learning abilities
- Interpersonal and business practices to support career development
- Best practices in Trauma Informed care
Admission Requirements:
- Grade 12 Diploma, Adult Diploma or GED
- Meeting with an Admissions Advisor
- Enjoy spending time with children and youth
- Acceptance by the Admissions Committee
- Completion of the Pre-Enrollment Package (includes a Criminal Record and Vulnerable Sector Check)
International students whose first language is not English must submit proof of English language proficiency, unless they have completed a minimum of three years of study at a school where English is the language of instruction. Please see the international application process here.
Career Opportunities:
Graduates of the Early Childhood Education/Educational Assistant dual-diploma program are well-prepared to enter a variety of rewarding careers in the field of education. With comprehensive training and hands-on experience, our alumni are equipped to make a significant impact in the lives of children and their families. Career paths include:
- Early Childhood Educator
- Educational Assistant in an Early Childhood Education classroom or school setting
- Support work for varying abilities such as intellectual, communication, sensory and behavioural exceptionalities.
- Childcare Centre: Manager, Team Lead, Director, Owner/Operator
Course Descriptions:
Throughout this course students will learn historical views and foundations of childcare. The
role of an Early Learning Educator and Educational Assistant. Students will also learn the
curriculum framework of well-being, play and playfulness, communication and literacies,
diversity and social responsibility, learning and caring with infants and toddlers and our young
children, pedagogical documentation and the Collaborative Assessment Tool (CAT)
Throughout this course students will learn historical views and foundations of childcare. The role of an Early Learning Educator and Educational Assistant. Students will also learn the curriculum framework of well-being, play and playfulness, communication and literacies, diversity and social responsibility, learning and caring with infants and toddlers and our young children, pedagogical documentation and the Collaborative Assessment Tool (CAT).
Interpersonal relationships will introduce students to the principles and practices of human relationships. Students will have the opportunity to integrate theory and skills development as they begin to recognize the process of human interaction. Giving and receiving feedback, needs, assertiveness, self-esteem, and conflict resolution are among the topics covered. Focus will be placed on self exploration and experiential learning.
This course is an in-depth approach to educating students regarding varying forms of abuse that may be inflicted on children. Emotion, physical, sexual abuse and neglect is defined, discussed and symptoms are identified. Potential consequences and solutions are examined. Emphasis will be placed on describing the populations of children who are most at risk of abuse and why adults choose to be abusive to children. Disclosure and response will be explored in detail.
This child development course will explore child-adolescent development focusing on developing an understanding of social, emotional, physical, cognitive, moral, sexual, and psychological growth through exploring widely accepted theories. Emphasis will also be placed on exceptionalities in development including at-risk and special needs circumstances.
Upon completion of this course, students will explore their own creativity and learn how to be an effective storyteller with children. Students will explore expressive ability in order to relate and develop opportunities for children. Students will be able to define literacy and recognize the components of literacy in the early years. Students will be able to identify the value of literacy and use various activities to promote literacy in the early years of development.
This course will teach students their role in guiding children in the classroom. Help students understand the developmental levels of children so they can better guide them through day to day activities. Students will understand the differences between direct and indirect guidance and how to implement both in their classrooms. Students will learn what aggression and bullying looks like in younger children and strategies to help guide these behaviours in a positive way. Students will apply the process of the decision-making model to help them make developmentally appropriate solutions in a logical and clearheaded way.
This course’s purpose is to introduce and define components of varying abilities that educators in the field of Early Childhood Education/Educational Assistants may be required to work throughout their careers. Students will learn a wide variety of applied behavioral techniques used for providing an inclusive classroom in both early learning centers and school educational settings. This course will assist Oulton College’s future educators, to observe behavior in an objective, caring, compassionate and analytical manner. Classical and operant conditioning procedures will be emphasized to create positive learning environments for inclusive classroom settings.
This course will examine the various psychopathologies related to the intellectual, social, emotional, and physical sensory functioning of children and youth. Each disorder will be explored in respect to symptoms, causes, maintaining variable, and treatment approaches through instructor-led lectures, case studies and student research papers. Discussions regarding the use of psychopharmacological treatments will be included.
The purpose of this course is to introduce the student to a wide variety of applied behavioral techniques used to modify behavior. The course will assist the student in observing behavior in an objective and analytical manner. Classical and operant conditioning theories and procedures will be emphasized in a practical manner.
This course provides students with the knowledge of the potential different forms of trauma, the symptoms and comorbid disorders that present with children who have been through distressing events and the best practices to support these populations. Students will be given the current trends and practices to treat and build relationships with children and youth who have experienced complex trauma.
The focus of this course will be to facilitating a professional presentation, in a professional setting, to encourage engagement and full participation of peers in the audience. Students will be required to pick a topic related to the field, prepare questions, create an activity, create an outline, create a professional power point, and decide on room set up.
This course is designed to make the student aware of the business and legal requirements for a ‘designated’ Early Learning Center in New Brunswick. Students will examine the NB Childhood Services Act. Students will also understand the administrative practices that are necessary for successful childcare operations. They will learn about ratios and the safety and well-being of children in a Designated Early Learning and Childcare Center. Understand the importance of nutrition and the regulations for a Designated Early Learning and Childcare Center.
The 8 week on the job training opportunity helps our students gain valuable hands-on experience directly in the field of education. To graduate from the Early Childhood Education/ Educational Assistant Program, you must complete this practicum session.
*Content is subject to change by administration as required to meet program and profession standards.
