Child Development Practitioner (ECEK)

This program is designed for you if you are working or have previously worked in the field of early childhood education and wish to attain a formal education. Before applying for this program, you must be registered as an apprentice through Skilled Trades Ontario.

As an apprentice in this program, you will take 23 in-class evening courses that can be completed part-time. Your training will include instructions in a variety of subjects such as child development, curriculum, health, safety, nutrition and professional practice.

Upon successful completion of the Child Development Practitioner program, you will receive an apprenticeship certificate, meeting the requirements of Skilled Trades Ontario. In addition, you will receive an Early Childhood Assistant – Apprenticeship Ontario College Certificate.

You also have the option to take three General Education courses and Communicating Across Contexts to be eligible for an Early Childhood Education diploma.

• Infant/toddler, preschool and school-aged educational methods
• Interpersonal communication
• Curriculum design based on individual needs 
• Administration

At the time of registration you will receive an Apprenticeship Training Standard which will provide a list of skills, training, objectives or competencies to be learned on the job. These competencies equip you, the apprentice, to work in the trade as a certified skilled worker or “journeyperson.” The employer, sponsor or trainer of an apprentice signs the relevant section of the training standard to indicate the progress of the apprentice in learning individual training objectives. This signature confirms that the apprentice has learned, and demonstrated the skills established by industry that are essential for being a skilled worker.