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Make a Difference - Become a Leader in Early Childhood Education

Sheridan's new and innovative four-year Bachelor of Applied Arts in Early Childhood Leadership (ECL) prepares you to become a leader in early childhood education and care. You'll be able to guide and lead curriculum and pedagogy in Ontario's early childhood settings.

The ECL degree is a multidisciplinary program which focuses on developing progressive leaders in diverse disciplines related to early childhood education and care and child advocacy. It includes the theory, research and practice of early childhood education and care, as well as the knowledge and skills required for curriculum and pedagogical leadership and organizational management of early childhood programs.

The Early Childhood Leadership (ECL) Program is organized into four streams of knowledge and skills: Human Development; Teaching and Learning; Leadership and Management; and Health and Wellness. Through this program you'll learn about:

  • Theories of human development
  • Early childhood pedagogy
  • Program models in early childhood
  • Curriculum design and implementation
  • Roles and responsibilities of leaders in early childhood
  • Research, analysis and evaluation
  • Managing developmental and organizational growth in the early childhood workforce

The applied nature of the program will support your entry into the workforce with relevant practical experiences in this expanding, complex field. Upon graduation, you'll possess the skills to design and manage an inclusive, positive, learning-centered environment, as well as possess the critical thinking, communication, business and interpersonal skills necessary to fulfill a leadership role and direct innovative practices in early childhood education and care.

You'll learn in state-of-the-art facilities utilizing technology and hands-on application in a curriculum room that emphasizes, encourages and fosters best practices in early learning based on current theoretical research. The use of laptop computers in the classroom enriches the learning opportunity as you access the latest research and educational trends through Internet exploration. The use of laptop computers encourages collaborative, team-based learning within the classroom while offering you the chance to develop technical skills needed for the competitive and increasingly technology-driven world.  

If you have any questions, please contact the program coordinator:

Nathalie Di Francesco 

905-845-9430, ext. 5220 or nathalie.difrancesco@sheridanc.on.ca

Field Placement

This program includes three field placements in Terms 2, 3 and 7 and one 14-week work term internship (total 1,160 field hours). These field placements and work term internship may be completed in a variety of employment areas, including but not limited to: licensed child care centres, nursery schools, Ontario Early Years Centres and various programs such as early education, Full Day Early Learning, family resource, parenting/prenatal and infant mental health, and special needs programs. There is opportunity for atypical placement experiences including an international placement in Hong Kong and elsewhere.

Sheridan's field placement agencies may require a police record check for criminal offences, a vulnerable sector check and/or a current acceptable record of immunization. Students will be required to provide this documentation directly to their field placement prior to the start of the placement and at their own expense.

BAA Early Childhood Leadership

 

Program Level Learning Outcomes

  • Analyze the interacting social and biological forces that collectively shape early brain development and set the stage for lifelong learning, behaviour and health.
  • Respect families’ central role in child-rearing and early learning and the impact of family structures, community support systems, culture and socio-economic status on parenting.
  • Lead the design and implementation of inclusive, effective curricula for young children, based upon a critical analysis of historical perspectives, observation, current research, and understandings of early human development.
  • Develop inclusive early intervention programs that respond to children with identified special needs.
  • Evaluate early childhood programs, engaging stakeholders in the process and addressing diverse needs of young children and families.
  • Acquire self knowledge, critical thinking skills and professional habits of mind essential to the practice and leadership of early childhood education.
  • Apply research skills, including assessment of the research process, formulation of research questions and collection and interpretation of data, in a variety of research projects.
  • Establish responsive and reciprocal relationships with children, families, colleagues and other stakeholders.
  • Perform responsibilities in a manner consistent with ethical and professional codes of conduct; in compliance with legislative and legal requirements; and, within the defined scope of practice limitations.
  • Advocate on behalf of children, families, colleagues and the broader community, promoting the principles of quality in early childhood programs.
  • Apply the principles of human resources, financial and facilities management to the operations of an early childhood program.
  • Collaborate with early childhood educators and other professionals in multi-disciplinary or cross-sectoral environments and across diverse domains of practice
  • Communicate in a professional manner in all verbal, non-verbal and written mediums.


Code  Title Credits
TERM 1
 PSYC13551 Human Development: Foundations 3
 EDUC14444 Observing, Recording and Assessing 3
TBA Field Orientation Seminar (7hrs)
 COMM13921 Interpersonal Communication 3
 ENGL17889GD Composition and Rhetoric 3
TBA         Breadth Elective     3
Total: 15
TERM 2
 PSYC20229 Human Development: The Early Years 3
 EDUC12974 Principles to Practice: Social and Physical Environments 3
 EDUC13551     Wellness and the Young Child 3
 SOCS10146 Foundations of Inquiry: Reflection and Critical Thinking 3
 TBA BREADTH ELECTIVE 3
 FLPL 11322 Field Practicum 1: Early Childhood Programs  1
Total: 16
   
TERM 3
 PSYC20049 Human Development: Adolescence to Late Adulthood 3
 EDUC30229 Curriculum Design for Early Learning 3
 EDUC29798 Inclusive Practice With Young Children 3
 SOCI17370GD Applied Research Methods 3
 MGMT10025 Organizational Structure, Behaviour and Governance 3
Total: 15
   
TERM 4
 PSYC29207 Human Development: Fundamental Relationships 3
 EDUC20000 History and Philosophy of Early Childhood Programs 3
 EDUC26529 Curriculum Planning for Young Children 3
 SOCS27545 Family Studies: Research and Application 3
 FLPL 26693 Field Practicum and Seminar 2: Early Childhood Settings 1
Total: 13
   
 
TERM 5
 EDUC38263 Quality Assurance for Early Childhood Programs 3
 LAWS27198 Employment Law and Legislation 3
 INFO22158 Leadership in a Technological World 3
 MGMT27900 Leadership in Learning Organization 3
TBA Breadth Elective 3
Total: 15
 
TERM 6
 PSYC34579 Human Development Current Topics 3
 EDUC30199 Early Childhood Program and System Delivery 3
 SOCS28448 Building Healthy Communities: Advocacy and Leadership 3
 TBA Breadth Elective 3
 TBA     Breadth Elective 3
Total: 15
 
  WORK TERM/ INTERNSHIP – 14 weeks
TERM 7
 EDUC49014 Curriculum Leadership in Early Childhood Programs 3
 SOCS30065 Research in Early Childhood Studies 3
 MGMT39207 Managing Projects as an Early Childhood Leader 3
 BUSM13796GD Business Administration 3
FLPL37545 Field 3 and Seminar: Solutions for Early Childhood Leadership 3
Total: 15
 
TERM 8
 EDUC44579 Current Issues – Leadership for Quality 9
 TBA Breadth Elective  3
 TBA Breadth Elective 3
Total: 15
 
Note: Courses subject to change. Course codes TBA.

When you complete the Early Childhood Leadership (ECL) bachelor’s degree you'll be prepared to guide and lead curriculum and pedagogy in Ontario’s early childhood settings, such as: 

  • Child care centres and programs
  • Early learning/full-day kindergarten programs
  • Ontario Early Years Centres
  • Family resource programs
  • Before-  and after-school programs
  • Hospital pediatric playrooms
  • ESL/LINC child minding programs
  • Early intervention services
  • Research centres
  • Newcomer programs
  • Prenatal and infant mental health programs
  • Special needs programs
  • Early intervention services

Ontario Secondary School Diploma or equivalent, including the following required courses:

  • One English, Grade 12 (ENG4U) with a minimum 65%

plus 

        • One Math, Grade 11* (U or M) or Grade 12(C)* or Grade 12 (U) or Science, Grade 12 (M) or Biology, Chemistry or Physics Grade 12 (U)

  • Four other (U) or (M) courses at the Grade12 level; *Applicants presenting with the Math, Grade 11 (U or M) or Grade 12 (C) must have five other (U) or (M) courses at the Grade 12 level
  • Minimum 65% overall average

or

Two semesters of postsecondary education including required courses with minimum 65% overall average

Applicant Selection

Eligible applicants are selected on the basis of their previous academic achievement (their six highest senior-level credits, including required courses), and demonstration of their awareness of the field. 

Bridging Program

Applicants who have successfully completed a Diploma in Early Childhood Education (ECE) or related field from an accredited institution or meet the requirements to be a Registered Early Childhood Educator in Ontario with a minimum C+  (GPA ≥ 2.5)  average are eligible to receive advanced standing credit in Sheridan’s BAA in Early Childhood Leadership (ECL) program. Once the student has successfully completed the Bridging semester with a minimum 2.5 GPA in that Bridging semester, you'll be eligible to enrol into Year 3 (Term 5).

Students will complete the following bridging courses: EDUC1009 Evidence Based Practices in EC Programs, EDUC17198 Introduction to EC Leadership, SOCS17370GD Applied Research Methods, and a Breadth Elective.

Sheridan has been granted a consent by the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities to offer this applied degree for a period of seven years starting May 14, 2010. Sheridan will ensure that all students admitted to the Bachelor of Applied Arts (Early Childhood Leadership) Program during the period of consent will have the opportunity to complete the program within a reasonable time frame.

EDUC1009- BRIDGING 1

EVIDENCE BASED PRACTICES IN EC PROGRAMS

 

EDUC17198- BRIDGING 2

INTRO TO EC LEADERSHIP

 

SOCS17370GD- BRIDGING 3

APPLIED RESEARCH METHODS

 

BRIDGING 4- TBA

BREADTH ELECTIVE

Program Offerings

Program Details

Faculty:
Faculty of Applied Health and Community Studies
Program Code:
PBECL
Duration:
4 Years (PBECL)
Designation:
Bachelor’s Degree
Campus:
Davis Campus
Start:
September