COURSE CURRICULUM

The Early Childhood Education (ECE) diploma program at Seneca Polytechnic spans four semesters and includes both academic coursework and extensive hands-on field experience. In Semester 1, students build a foundational understanding through courses such as Communicating Across Contexts (COM101 or COM111), Preparation for Early Learning and Care Practice (ECE106), Visual Art and Storytelling (ECE110), Wellbeing and Ethics of Care (ECE112), Foundations of Pedagogy and Care (ECE113), and Introduction to Childhood Development (ECE114), along with one general education elective. Semester 2 expands into more targeted areas with courses like Human Rights and Social Justice in Early Learning (ECE209), Pedagogy and Care in Practice (ECE213), Observation and Documentation (ECE214), Responsive Interpersonal Relationships (ECE215), and the first field placement in preschool environments (ECE216), also paired with a general education course. Semester 3 focuses on younger age groups, offering Music and Movement (ECE310), Child Protection (ECE312), Infant and Toddler Pedagogy (ECE313), Developmental Observation for Birth to Age 3 (ECE314), Child, Family, and Community (ECE315), and a second field placement (ECE316), alongside another general education course. In the final semester, students explore advanced topics such as Philosophy and Models of ECE (ECE409), Legislation and Social Policy (ECE412), Inclusive Community Practices (ECE413), Childhood Disablement (ECE414), and Professional Practice and Leadership (ECE415). The program concludes with a comprehensive field placement in inclusive community environments (ECE416). With over 500 hours of field experience integrated into the curriculum and flexible delivery formats, the program prepares graduates to design and implement inclusive programming, build strong relationships with families and colleagues, and support children's development across diverse early learning settings.