Photo Rights: Fanshawe College Website
Fanshawe College’s St. Thomas-Elgin Regional Campus is opening its doors on Saturday, March 29th for the Annual Spring Open House, offering prospective students a chance to explore the local programs.
Today, we’re taking a closer look at the Early Childhood Education (ECE) program, which offers a comprehensive blend of theory and hands-on experience through a series of academic courses and three practical placements.
Coordinator Sheila Brownell, breaks down the two-year diploma program.
Students have the opportunity to explore child development, play-based learning, curriculum planning, and more. Then they apply that knowledge in real-world environments with the support of mentors and field advisors shares Brownell.
ECE graduates have a range of career options, including positions in childcare centers, early years programs, before-and-after school care, and Ontario’s full-day kindergarten classrooms.
Brownell notes that students use this course as a bridging program to obtain a bachelor’s degree, with the option to then move on to teachers college.
In terms of what sets the St. Thomas campus apart from other colleges? Brownell notes its the close-knit faculty team.
At the Open House on Saturday, attendees will have the chance to meet and learn more from field placement coordinator Kim, as well as student ambassadors currently in the program.
For those considering ECE as their next steps, Brownell had some great advice to share.
The Fanshawe College Open House runs on March 29th from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the St. Thomas-Elgin Regional Campus.
For more information or to register for the Open House, visit FanshaweC.ca.
The next intake of students for the Early Childhood Education program will be September 2025.
Written by: K. Freeman
