Early Childhood Studies

O.S.S.D. with six Grade 12 U/M courses including Grade 12 U English and one Grade 11 U/M or Grade 12 U/M Mathematics or Science course.

Notes: 

1. ENG4U/EAE4U is the preferred English.
2. The acceptable Grade 11 U/M or Grade 12 U/M Mathematics or Science courses are: one of MCF3M, MCR3U, MHF4U, MCV4U, MDM4U, PSE4U/PSK4U, SBI3U, SCH3U, SPH3U, SVN3M, SBI4U, SCH4U, SPH4U, SES4U, SNC3M, SNC4M.
3. The grade(s) required in the subject prerequisites (normally in the 70-75% range) will be determined subject to competition.
4. To be admitted to the program students must be capable of successful completion of field education requirements which demand full day commitments and active engagement with children and families in a variety of settings.
5. Scholarships are awarded to second, third, and fourth-year students based on academic excellence and practical performance.
6. Subject to competition, candidates may be required to present averages/grades above the minimum.

Additional Non-Academic Documentation Required:

Students who are admitted to the School of Early Childhood Studies must present the School with the below-listed additional non-academic documentation. Information about the following, including submission deadlines, will be additionally provided at the Program Orientation:

• A valid Standard First Aid certificate including CPR for infants and children. Only standard first aid certification will be accepted. Emergency First Aid is NOT acceptable. The CPR certification must qualify the student to perform CPR on infants and children.  The documentation must include an expiration date and students must renew as required.
  
• Medical documentation of a clear two-stage TB test on a form provided by the School. It must be a two-stage process. If religious reasons prevent the student from conducting tests, documentation from a recognized religious officiant is required. This documentation carries an expiration date and students must renew as required.
• Vaccinations and a clear criminal reference check may be required for field placements. Information will be provided to students by the program department.
  
• Declaration by a healthcare professional that the student is medically fit and able to fully participate in work with children birth to five years of age on a form provided by the School.
• All students admitted into first year are strongly encouraged to attend the Writing Skills Initiative (WSI) workshops in the Faculty of Community Services in the fall semester. The WSI program supports student learning around writing effectively and professionally in an academic environment.
• Upon admission to the program, students are advised that their conduct is governed by the Ontario College of Early Childhood Educators' Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice. Violation of the Code may lead to suspension from the program on grounds of professional unsuitability

Collaborative Bachelor of Arts (BA) - Early Childhood Studies and Bachelor of Education (BEd) (Primary/Junior) with York University

Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) offers a unique 16-month consecutive Bachelor of Education (Primary/Junior specialization) in partnership with York University.  Students in their final year of studies (eligible for spring graduation) may apply to the York University BEd (Primary/Junior) program during the fall term.  The BEd program commences in the spring term and takes place in-person on the TMU campus. Further details are available from the School of ECS.

Degree Completion Program with George Brown College

Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) offers a joint degree completion program in Early Childhood Studies with George Brown College.  Students complete the first two years of study in the Department of Early Childhood Education at George Brown College. Successful students will enter the third year of the Early Childhood Studies program at TMU.

The School of Early Childhood Studies offers a full- and part-time direct entry program for graduates of the Early Childhood Education Diploma programs from public Ontario Colleges. Admission to the part-time Direct Entry program is available in September and January.

Students who enter the full-time program as a direct entry student pursue a full complement of courses offered in the day-time in the School of Early Childhood Studies. Students who enter the part-time program pursue courses online, in the evenings and on Saturdays which are offered and administered by The G. Raymond Chang School of Continuing Education in partnership with the School of Early Childhood Studies.

Admission Information

Grade 'B' (70 percent, 3.00 GPA) average in a public Ontario College Early Childhood Education (ECE) Diploma program or its equivalent, with proof of diploma completion;

plus

All applicants must have completed three lower level single-term (or equivalent) liberal studies courses at the university level with minimum 'B-' (70 percent) grades in each course. Please note the following liberal studies restrictions:

• One of the lower level liberal studies courses must be an English subject.
• College General Education courses cannot be used as substitutions for university level liberal studies courses.
• These courses cannot be part of the ECE diploma studies.
• These courses cannot be introductory level Psychology or Sociology.

Notes:

1. Direct entry program applicants who intend to apply to a Faculty of Education are advised that admission requirements to the Bachelor of Education programs vary, from one faculty of education to another, from year to year. Students should contact individual faculties of education for specific details. 
2. To be admitted to the program, students must be capable of successful completion of field education requirements which demand full-day commitments in early childhood education and care centres, family resource programs and schools. Students will not be permitted to enrol in Field Education courses unless they have provided the School with all “Additional Non-Academic Documentation Required”, as described below, by the required due dates which will be disclosed during the mandatory student orientation process.
3. Students wishing to transfer from the part-time program to the full-time program, under exceptional circumstances, must consult with the program department before submitting the TMU Application.  Admission will be based upon the availability of space and the completion of all third year courses.

Additional Non-Academic Documentation Required

Students who are admitted to the School of Early Childhood Studies must present the School with the following additional 'Non-Academic Documentation' in order to be permitted to enrol in field education and/or practice teaching courses. Information about the following, including submission deadlines, will be provided at the Program Orientation:

• A valid Standard First Aid certificate including CPR for infants and children. Only standard first aid certification will be accepted. Emergency First Aid is NOT acceptable. The CPR certification must qualify the student to perform CPR on infants and children. The documentation must include an expiration date and students must renew as required.
• Medical documentation of a clear two-stage TB test on a form provided by the School. It must be a two-stage process. If religious reasons prevent the student from conducting tests, documentation from a recognized religious officiant is required. This documentation carries an expiration date and students must renew as required.
• Vaccinations and a clear criminal reference check may be required for field placements. Information will be provided to students by the program department.
  
• Upon admission to the program, students are advised that their conduct is governed by the Ontario College of Early Childhood Educators’ Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice. Violation of the Code may lead to suspension from the program on grounds of professional unsuitability.

Collaborative Bachelor of Arts (BA) - Early Childhood Studies and Bachelor of Education (BEd) (Primary/Junior) with York University

Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) offers a unique 16-month consecutive Bachelor of Education (Primary/Junior specialization) in partnership with York University.  Students in their final year of studies (eligible for spring graduation) may apply to the York University BEd (Primary/Junior) program during the fall term.  The BEd program commences in the spring term and takes place on the TMU campus. Further details are available from the School of ECS.

The Bachelor of Arts (Early Childhood Studies) program offers a combination of academic studies and professional education including practicum experiences.  The courses link theory with field practice that is undertaken in child care programs, public schools (early primary classrooms), specialized programs, family resource centres, children's hospitals, and other related settings.

The School of Early Childhood Studies offers a full- and part-time Direct Entry Program for graduates of the Ontario Colleges ECE programs. Qualified successful applicants enter the third year of the Bachelor of Arts (Early Childhood Studies) program. Students who enter the part-time program pursue courses in the evening, on Saturdays or online which are offered and administered by The G. Raymond Chang School of Continuing Education in partnership with the School of Early Childhood Studies.

The School's curriculum follows the University's tripartite curriculum model with core professional courses, professionally-related electives and liberal studies electives.

The first two years emphasize the foundational courses in child development, observation, curriculum, history and philosophy of early childhood education, professional practice, family contexts, working with children with disabilities and becoming an effective learner and professional.

Field education experiences constitute one quarter of a student's timetable each year. They provide excellent opportunities for students to apply theory learned in the classroom within authentic workplace settings which enhance students' opportunities to achieve the program learning outcomes. Extensive field education experience permit students to develop their confidence, teaching and leadership skills, ethical practices and bridge the transition from student to professional in the field of early childhood studies.

Graduates of the program are qualified for positions as early childhood educators in early learning and care programs, programs for children with disabilities and family resource programs. Some graduates are employed by community agencies working with children and families, provincial, municipal, or federal governments, community colleges, and various media for children. Graduates may apply to a faculty of education and for credit for Ministry of Education additional qualifications (AQ) courses. Graduates may also apply for admission to master's degree programs in a variety of human development, curriculum theory, speech therapy, family intervention and social work programs.

Students wishing to transfer, under exceptional circumstances, from the part-time program to the full-time program must consult with the program department before submitting the TMU Application. Admission will be based upon the availability of space, and the completion of all third year courses.

The School of Early Childhood Studies reserves the right to reassess a student’s eligibility to continue in the program after three consecutive semester stop-outs.

Program planning can be completed on an individual basis by the student and the part-time direct entry program co-ordinator.

The part-time Direct Entry Program Co-ordinator is available to discuss admission requirements, School policies and provide continuous program consultation for the part-time student. To reach the part-time program co-ordinator please call the School of Early Childhood Studies at (416) 979-5000 ext. 7636.

Regular program students must take three lower level liberal studies courses and three upper level liberal studies courses to graduate. Students must not choose courses that are restricted for their program or major.

Liberal Studies for Direct Entry

Students must take three upper level liberal studies courses to graduate. If an upper level liberal studies course requires a prerequisite, students MUST apply for a transfer credit for that prerequisite. This will only serve as proof of prerequisite and will not apply toward the degree.

Please refer to the liberal studies chapter of this calendar for more information on the Liberal Studies Policy. Further information on liberal studies can also be found at the Faculty of Arts' Liberal Studies website (opens in new window) .

Table A - Lower Level Restrictions

Table B - Upper Level Restrictions

Students may pursue any Minor offered by Toronto Met (with some exceptions). Please refer to the Minors chapter of this calendar for further information on individual Minor requirements and exclusions.

Undergraduate students wishing to pursue a continuing education certificate program should be aware of possible program exclusions. Please refer to the Certificate Registration section of the Curriculum Advising website (opens in new window)  for complete details.

* Students can elect to take CLD 466 as an International Field Education course during the Spring/Summer term before 7th and 8th semester.

Direct Entry students will normally be admitted into 5th semester (3rd Year) of this program. Students should refer to their Offer of Admission for details.

* Students can elect to take CLD 466 as an International Field Education course during the Spring/Summer term before 7th and 8th semester.

Direct Entry students will normally be admitted into 5th semester (3rd Year) of this program. Students should refer to their Offer of Admission for details.

* Students can elect to take CLD 466 as an International Field Education course during the Spring/Summer term before 7th and 8th semester.

In addition to the general criteria used to determine Academic Standing, students in this program must also meet the following conditions:

A failed grade in any one of the following Field Practice courses will result in a PROBATIONARY Standing:

• CLD 161 Field Education I
• CLD 262 Field Education II
• CLD 363 Field Education III

Students will remain on Probation, until they have successfully passed the failed course.

A failed grade in any one of the following Field Education courses will result in a PROBATIONARY Standing:

CLD 464 Field Education IV
CLD 466 International/National Placement
CLD 467 Work Placement

Students will remain on Probation until they have successfully passed one of CLD 464, CLD 466, or CLD 467.

Given its importance and the vital role field education plays in the integrity of the program, students are not permitted to fail the same field education course twice. Neither are they permitted to fail any two of CLD 464, CLD 466, or CLD 467. If a student fails the same field education course twice or fails any two of CLD 464, CLD 466, and CLD 467, the student will be assigned a PERMANENT PROGRAM WITHDRAWAL Standing and will be ineligible to continue in the program.

The School of Early Childhood Studies reserves the right, at any point during a field placement, to remove a student from a field education site or terminate the placement. A student will be removed in a situation in which children, family members, colleagues, or others are placed at risk by the student’s behaviour or in a situation in which the student consistently violates expectations for professional and/or ethical conduct. This will result in the student receiving an “F” or "FLD" grade. In this situation, a student will be unable to drop the course, and an "F" or "FLD" grade will be assigned at the end of the term as per normal grading procedures.

In this circumstance, students will have established rights of appeal; however, they cannot remain in the course while an appeal is underway. The appeal will be conducted promptly in order to protect student rights.

A Program Advisory Council (PAC) is a group of volunteers that provides expert advice to a school or department on program related matters such as curriculum, program review, technology and trends in the industry, discipline or profession. For more information, see Senate Policy #158 (Program Advisory Councils).

Dr. Bernice Cipparrone-McLeod
Director
School of Early Childhood
George Brown College

Diane Daley
Chief Executive Officer
Family Day Care Services

Meredith Farley
Early Childhood Education Faculty 
Centennial College

Carolyn Ferns
Public Policy & Government Relations Coordinator
Ontario Coalition for Better Child Care

Martha Friendly
Executive Director
Childcare Research and Resource Unit

Reta Hamlin
Consultant with EarlyON Child and Family Centres
Children’s Services, City of Toronto

Dr. Zeenat Janmohamed
Executive Director and Senior Policy Analyst
Atkinson Centre for Society and Child Development
Ontario Institute for Studies in Education
University of Toronto

Kim Kirkley
EarlyOn Program Manager
Native Canadian Centre of Toronto

Ash McGhee
Manager, Education and Training
The 519

Alana Powell
Program Advisory Council Chair; Executive Director
Association of Early Childhood Educators Ontario

Dr. Lorin Schwarz
Assistant Professor
Faculty of Education
York University

Maya-Rose Simon
Indigenous Professor, Early Childhood Education
Faculty of Health Science and Wellness
Humber College Institute of Technology & Advanced Learning

Anna Tyzler
Manager
EarlyON Child and Family Centre
Mothercraft

Rebecca Wood
Parenting with a Disability Network Coordinator
Centre for Independent Living in Toronto