As an early childhood educator, you will support children as they learn through play. Your role will be to create developmentally appropriate curriculum and design inviting and effective quality learning environments. You will learn how to develop holistic programs that include early literacy and language, creative arts, numeracy, and open-ended play experiences both indoors and outdoors. Your responsibilities will include working alongside your colleagues to build relationships with children and families, community partners and other professionals.

Saskatchewan Polytechnic's two-year Early Childhood Education (ECE) diploma program is offered on-campus in Prince Albert, Regina and Saskatoon, or through regional colleges or distance learning, wherever you live.

It is a highly respected program that integrates the most current research on early childhood education. Topics of study will include:

observation, assessment and documentation
learning through play
children with diverse abilities
child guidance techniques
family and community relationships
play environments and program planning
programming for infants, toddlers, pre-school and school-age children
administration and child care regulations
communication and employability skills

Build Your Confidence and Independence

Throughout the two years, you will have opportunities to work with children through four 4-week practicums in a variety of early learning and child care programs.

Through practical experience, you'll get the feedback you need to develop best practices, recognize stages of development, plan curriculum based on children's interests and needs and understand the impact of the environment on behaviour.

As a student you will participate in course work at your campus early learning and child care centre.

Your Career

There’s high demand for Level III ECEs in Saskatchewan. Your diploma allows you to work in group early learning and care settings with children from birth to age 12. Your career options could include working with children with diverse needs, working as a frontline educator or director in an early learning and child care centre, working in a preschool or elementary school setting, a Kids First or Aboriginal Head Start program, early childhood intervention programs (ECIP), or a family day home or private home as a nanny.