Early Childhood Education / Educational Assistant

“Educational Assistants exist because even teachers need heroes!” Unknown

You are:

Caring and patient
Looking to make a difference
Passionate about helping children and youth
Professional and approachable

The early years are the most important years for children.

From infancy to toddlerhood, preschool to school-age children and youth, you learn the basics such as child development, mental health support for child adolescence, inclusive education, and working with families and communities. With that skill set you can choose your rewarding career path, from daycare provider to in-classroom educational assistant to interventionist.

What will be taught during the program?

Our Early Childhood Education/Educational Assistant program provides hands-on practical experience and training in:

On-site observations, visitations and assessments during the course of study.
Assignments and creative projects that can be used in the field.
New Brunswick Curriculum Framework Training.
Certification in ASIST: suicide intervention.
Certification in CPI: Non-Violent Crisis Intervention.
Field related workshops & guest speakers
Sign language level 1 of 2
Career readiness

Will I have the opportunity to use these skills as I learn them?

This comprehensive 10-month program of study provides you with the skills and knowledge required for your 8-week practicum placement, which in turn allows you to enhance those skills, develop the capability to support students with exceptional needs in a classroom, and connect with prospective employers.

Can this program help me achieve my goal of a university degree?

Oulton College has partnered with Crandall University here in Moncton to allow students in this program to transfer credits toward their Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Management. You can earn both a diploma and a degree in as little as 2 years, while working and gaining valuable experience!

Term: September – June

Practicum: 8 weeks

Career Choices

Our Early Childhood Education/Educational Assistant Program is approved by the Province of New Brunswick, and includes courses such as Suicide Prevention, Non-Violent Crisis Intervention and New Brunswick Curriculum Framework for Early Learning and Child Care.

It is not unusual for our students to be hired at their practicum host site and begin working full time just as soon as they graduate.

Early Childhood Educator
Educational Assistant in Schools
Autism Support Worker
Owner/Operator of a Child Care Centre
Family Support Specialist

You Will Learn

Play-based learning strategies
Child guidance and principles of learning techniques
Developmentally appropriate practices
New Brunswick Curriculum Framework for Early Learning and Child Care
Need-specific techniques for working with children of various ages
Interpersonal and business practices to support career development
Best practices in Trauma Informed care.

Course Descriptions

Fundamentals of Early Childhood Education

This course gives students an understanding of the early childhood education field. Aspects of children, families, play, environments, facilitator, partnerships, and quality will be examined in detail. Program variety, issues in the field, and child care regulations will also be discussed, giving students a general overview of what is required to work in this specialized field.

Interpersonal Relations

This course will introduce students to the principles and practices of the human relationships. Students will have the opportunity to integrate theory and skill development as they begin to recognize the process of human interaction. Giving and receiving feedback, assertiveness, self-esteem, and conflict resolution are among the topics covered. Focus will be placed on self-exploration and experiential learning.

Arts & Creativity

During this course, students will explore their own creative and expressive abilities in order to relate, and develop opportunities for children to express theirs. A definition of creativity, various mediums and modes of expression, and the value of artistic display will be examined in detail.

Child Guidance

This course allows students to gain an understanding of guiding young children to choose appropriate behaviours for themselves, while using natural consequences and reasonable expectations to lead them toward greater self-control. Prevention of unacceptable behaviour, reinforcement of prosocial behaviour, and methods of assisting children in attaining self-discipline will be examined. The impact of care giving styles, direct and indirect discipline strategies, and classroom management will give students an appreciation of the role they play in appropriate guidance of young children.

Self-Care

Students will have the opportunity to explore and examine areas of personal stress and their maintaining variables. Traditional and holistic methods of self-care will be examined in this applied course.

Literacy

Upon completion of this course, students will explore their own creativity. Overcome fear of storytelling 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. Student will be able to use various activities to promote literacy in the early years of development.

Mental Health in the Early Years

During this course, students 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 variables, and treatment approaches through instructor led lectures, case studies and student research papers. Discussions regarding the use of psychopharmacological treatments will be included.

Child Abuse

An in-depth approach to educating students with regards to forms of abuse inflicted on children by adults. Emotional, physical, sexual abuse and neglect are defined and fully discussed and symptoms and effects are identified. Special emphasis will be placed on describing the population of children who are at risk of abuse and why adults choose to be abusive to children. Interviewing skills for child victims of abuse will also be identified and practiced.

Observation & Assessment

Observation and assessment are critical skills when working with young children. Caregivers must practice systematic, objective observation of the children in their care to ensure programming and activities meet all individual needs. Students will gain an understanding of the importance of observation and assessment, what methods of observation can be used, and how to use the data obtained in order to accurately assess a child’s needs.

Child Development

Upon completion of this course, the student will have an overall view of the study of human development, learning about the transition from conception to birth, and the many milestones that cross the life span until adolescence. Physical, cognitive, linguistic, social, and emotional development will be examined, giving students an understanding of the factors that influence each, and an appreciation of the importance of early foundational support.

Inclusive Education

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to offer children with special needs the best possible chance for holistic development in a normal living environment. In cooperation with parents and professionals, they will be able to develop, apply and evaluate integrated program plans that will stimulate the children to achieve their development potential and attain the objectives as part of the inclusion process.

Business and Administration of a Child Care Centre

Upon completion of this course, students will have a greater understanding of the administrative practices that are necessary for a successful childcare operation. The student will be aware of the business and legal requirements for starting a childcare as a business. The many roles and responsibilities of directors will be discussed, allowing students to better grasp the position and its function. Students study the provincial regulations for childcare setup and operation. Sources of funding for business start-ups are presented to the students. The role of advocacy and professional practice will also be reviewed, giving students the knowledge necessary to lobby for change in a vital field.

Trauma Informed Care

Will provide students with the knowledge of the different forms of trauma, the symptoms and co morbid disorders that present with children who have been through traumatic events as well as best practices to support these populations. Students will be given the current trends in school and residential practices to treat and build relationships with children and youth who have experienced complex trauma.

Educational Assistants Fundamentals

This course will give students the knowledge and skills for working within the school setting as an Educational Assistant. It will focus on the role of an EA, strategies for within the school environment, and an overview of possible expectations in this varied position.

Computer Applications

Students gain competence in Microsoft Word and Microsoft Office software. They learn to use Word, Excel, Power Point, Access and Outlook. The students also learn to use e-mail to communicate productively.

Principles of Learning

This course introduces the student to a wide variety of applied behavioural techniques used to modify behaviour. The course will assist the student in observing behaviour in an objective and analytical manner. Classical and operant conditioning theories and procedures will be emphasized in a practical manner. In addition, observational learning and cognitive-behavioural procedures will be explored. Effectiveness of treatment procedures and ethical issues will be discussed throughout the course.

New Brunswick Curriculum Framework for Early Learning and Child Care

Students will be trained in the curriculum that has been developed for use in all child care centers in New Brunswick. The four goals for early learning and care will be explored, and the implementation of programming to achieve these goals will be introduced. It is a child-focused approach that allows the teacher to provide the support and encouragement for the child’s attainment of their own knowledge in an environment that is diverse, flexible, and inclusive.

Practicum Placement

Students will have the opportunity to put their theoretical knowledge into practical use during their field placement. With appropriate supervision and guidance, they will manage the daily activities of an educator, EA, or other professional in this field, and will take on the duties and responsibilities that come with the position, giving them an accurate understanding and appreciation of their chosen career.

Abnormal Psychology

Students will study the procedure and DSM-V criteria associated with being diagnosed with mental health illnesses. Areas to be explored include, but are not limited to, Conduct Disorder, Mood Disorders, Feeding and eating Disorders, Anxiety Disorders, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Autism Spectrum Disorder, and Attachment Disorders. Students will learn the symptoms and behaviours associated with the above mental illnesses, through case studies, videos, and a variety of instructor led demonstrations. Students will explore and research prevention and treatments including psychotherapy, group therapy, psychoeducational therapy, and psychopharmacological treatments

*Content is subject to change by administration as required to meet program and profession standards.

Admissions Requirements

Grade 12 Diploma, Adult Diploma or GED
Meeting with an Admissions Advisor
Acceptance by the Admissions Committee
Completion of the Pre-Enrollment Package

Unless they have completed a minimum of three years of study at a school where English is the language of instruction, international students whose first language is not English must submit proof of English language proficiency:

CAEL – minimum score of 60
IELTS – 6.0 with no individual score lower than 5.5
TOEFL (IBT) - 80, with no individual score lower than 18
MELAB - minimum score of 80
Duolinguo - minimum score of 55
Cambridge English - minimum score of 169
Pearson Test of English - minimum score of 50

Education Pathways

Oulton College is proud to partner with Crandall University to provide students with a base education (a college education that can be credited towards the completion of a degree!))

Your diploma from Oulton College will allow you to transfer 21 credit hours toward the Adult Degree Completion Program– Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Management.