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  4. Building the Future: Opportunities for Early Childhood Educators

This program is offered through the Building the Future: Opportunities for Early Childhood Educators program. It is open to Canadian citizens and Permanent Residents. 

Eager to advance your ECE career? Consider taking the accelerated path to ECE Level 2, year one of ECE diploma. If you’re determined, this option lets you complete the remaining first-year classes and practicums by June 30, 2025.

If you are working on your Ministry of Early Years Level 2 with other post-secondary recognized, please contact one of the student advisors to help you with your education plan to ensure you will attain your Level 2.

To qualify:

  1. You must be accepted into the Early Childhood Education diploma program as a part-time/online distance student to be part of this project. You are applying to be a part-time /online distance student not applying to an ECE location (e.g., Prince Albert, Regina or Saskatoon base program). You are responsible for the application fee.
  2. Actively enrolled in ECE Level 2 classes or recently accepted in the Early Childhood Education diploma program as a part-time/online distance student within the last six months, if you have not yet taken Level 2 courses, through Sask Polytech.
  3. Required to attend weeknight Zoom classes from 6:30 - 9:30 p.m.

Schedule

You will be required to have a computer with a web camera as all assessments/tests use Respondus Monitor.

  • September 9 – October 25, 2024
    • HUMD 102 
  • October 28 – December 20, 2024
    • ECE 181
    • ECE 100
  • January 6 – February 28, 2025
    • ECE 107
    • PD 100 
  • March 3 – April 18, 2025
    • ECE 109
    • ECE 108
  • April 28 – May 23, 2025 
    • PRAC 104
  • June 2 – June 27, 2025
    • PRAC 119

Course descriptions

ECE 100 Intro Early Childhood Education
You will study the values, roots and the practices of early childhood education from historical and global perspectives. You will explore the image of the child and the principles of emergent curriculum from a holistic perspective. The course identifies current practices and models which support quality in early learning and care environments. This course will introduce Indigenous philosophies that guide early childhood education.
ECE 107 Effective Relationships in ECE
You will study and practice positive skills to develop effective relationships in ECE environments. This course provides opportunities to identify personal strengths and practice conflict resolution skills. You will build competence in using technology as an effective means of communication in early childhood environments.
ECE 108 Curriculum Design in ECE 1 
You will plan a quality curriculum for children using a holistic approach while responding to their ideas and play. You will apply the main components of developing curriculum and practice preparing developmentally appropriate and open-ended experiences for children.
ECE 109 Curriculum Design in ECE 2
You will design a responsive and culturally relevant curriculum for young children through the exploration of authentic materials. You will practice implementing a variety of developmentally appropriate experiences.
ECE 181 Observation & Documentation 1
You will acquire skills in observing and documenting children’s play and development as a foundation for responsive programming.
HUMD 102 Growth/Development Young Child
You will study the developmental milestones from conception through the stages of infancy, toddlerhood to age five. The course provides an introduction to the theories of learning and personality, brain development and methods of studying human behavior, including indigenous world views. You will learn about the effects of heredity and the environment, including culture, on the emotional, social, cognitive and physical development of children and behavior.
PD 100 Professionalism 1 
You will explore and build employability skills needed to become an effective early childhood educator. You will reflect on and practice supportive behaviors required when working in a diverse environment with colleagues, children and their families and outside professionals. You will learn about knowledge, skills and disposition of a well-qualified early childhood educator.
PRAC 104 Practicum 1 
You will use knowledge and skills developed in prerequisite courses to observe and record the behavior of children, to interact with children and adults in a supportive and positive manner, and to guide children’s behavior using positive guidance strategies.
PRAC 119 Practicum 2
You will demonstrate your ability to build positive and responsive relationships with children and adults. You will use your observation skills to plan and prepare a culturally relevant emergent curriculum based on children’s interests and family engagement.

Course equivalencies

Equivalency chart for the Early Childhood Education diploma program
Saskatchewan Polytechnic ECE courses - credit unit equivalencies

The chart below provides a complete list of ECE courses from Saskatchewan Polytechnic, corresponding course hours, credit units and subject areas used or the purposes of granting levels I, II or III Ministry of Education certification.

Year two - ECE diploma

ECE 202 Programming for Infants and Toddlers 45 3 Child Development or Programming
ECE 221 Observation and Assessment 40 3 Child Development or Programming
ECE 200 Play Environments 30 2 Programming
ECE 201 Program Planning for Early Childhood Education Programs 45 3 Programming
ECE 226 Programming for School Age Children 40 3 Programming
SPSY 279 Children with Diverse Abilities 1 45 3 Programming
SPSY 289 Children with Diverse Abilities 2 45 3 Programming
ECE 220 Anit-Bias Education in Early Childhood 60 4 Programming or Relationships
HUMD 200 Child Guidance 2 40 3 Relationships
PD 240 Professionalism in Early Childhood Education 40 3 Relationships
COMM 294 Teamwork Skills 30 2 Relationships
ADMN 204 Administrative Skills for Early Childhood Educators 45 3 Related Courses
PRAC 244 Practicum 3      
PRAC 245 Practicum 4      
New credit unit Ministry of Education early years 

The chart below provides a complete list of ECE courses from Saskatchewan Polytechnic, corresponding course hours, credit units and subject areas used or the purposes of granting levels I, II or III Ministry of Education certification.

ECE 202 Programming for Infants and Toddlers 45 3 Child Development or Programming
ECE 221 Observation and Assessment 40 3 Child Development or Programming
ECE 200 Play Environments 30 2 Programming
ECE 201 Program Planning for Early Childhood Education Programs 45 3 Programming
ECE 226 Programming for School Age Children 40 3 Programming
SPSY 279 Children with Diverse Abilities 1 45 3 Programming
SPSY 289 Children with Diverse Abilities 2 45 3 Programming
ECE 220 Anit-Bias Education in Early Childhood 60 4 Programming or Relationships
HUMD 200 Child Guidance 2 40 3 Relationships
PD 240 Professionalism in Early Childhood Education 40 3 Relationships
COMM 294 Teamwork Skills 30 2 Relationships
ECE 206 Outdoor and Nature Play  45 3 Related course depending on what student requires 
PRAC 244 Practicum 3      
PRAC 245 Practicum 4      

Technology requirements

Students are required to have:

  • A laptop (10 GB or more free space) with a webcam
  • Operating systems: Windows 8 or 10, Mac- OS X Yosemite or higher

For more information, visit Getting Started Online.

Apply now

You must be a Canadian citizen or Permanent Resident to apply.

Applications are closed for the 2024-25 academic year.

To be considered for the 2025-26 academic year, please place your name on the interest list.

Contact us

Email earlylearning@saskpolytech.ca