The National Association of Career Colleges (NACC) is very excited to announce the Early Childhood Assistant (ECA) Program

The NACC Early Childcare Assistant program has been redesigned, updated and been given a new name: Early Childhood Assistant. This is a new program and has received approval by the Ontario Ministry of Colleges and Universities (MCU). Graduates of the new NACC Early Childhood Assistant program have the opportunity to enter the second year of Canadore College’s Early Childhood Education Diploma Program. 

Key Benefits

  • The program can be marketed with this Pathway Agreement and will attract students interested in acquiring an Early Childhood Assistant certificate with the possibility of continuing with Canadore College to a full Early Childhood Education Diploma.
  • The program can be delivered full-time; part-time; evenings and/or weekends.
  • The program will be meeting the high demand for ECAs and ECEs in Ontario. 
  • The new program can provide students career options as an ECA or ECE. Upon graduation as an ECA, they will have the ability to continue their studies with Canadore College in the second year of the Early Childhood Education program, if accepted by Canadore.
  • Attract more students by promoting the fact that their program allows the student to continue their education to the ECE level and their coursework will be recognized.

Graduates may find employment in a variety of settings including:

  • Childcare Centres
  • Daycare Centres
  • Kindergartens
  • Agencies for Exceptional Children
  • After School Programs

The Scope of Responsibilities for a ECA is as follows:

  • Assist in the day-to-day operations of a childcare centre or early learning centre
  • Support early childhood educators in carrying out programs that promote the physical, cognitive, emotional and social development of children
  • Provide a nurturing and caring environment where young children can thrive
  • Maintain and professional approach while observing and guiding children daily
  • Demonstrate effective communication skills with parents, children, and co-workers
  • Encourage socialization as children play together
  • Meet nutritional requirements of young children in daily meal planning
  • Supervise Children during indoor and outdoor play and rest periods
  • Guide and assist children in the development of proper eating, dressing and toilet habits
  • Maintain necessary records
  • First Aid and CPR

WHY YOU SHOULD HIRE AN NACC ECA PROGRAM GRADUATE:

Benefits to potential employers hiring graduates of the Common Standards Group Early Childhood Assistant Program include:

  • Assurance that graduates have been trained to meet established learning outcomes and program standards
  • Assurance that the graduate has the knowledge required to do the job as verified by third party testing
  • Assurance that the skills required to do the job have been verified prior to graduation

Program Length:

Total program hours: 1000 hours

NACC Final Theory Examination:

The NACC final examination is an on-line examination that evaluates the theory component of the training and determines whether the candidate has the required level of knowledge to do the job safely and effectively. All students write the NACC final theory examination at the end of the placement. To schedule your final exam, please speak with your college representative.

Purchasing

The NACC Early Childhood Assistant Program is available to both member colleges who are currently delivering the Early Childcare Assistant Program or those who are not. If a college is currently delivering the previous ECA program, then the new program will be available at a significantly discounted price. If a college has not had the ECA Program, the new program will be available at the regular price.

To order curriculum please contact NACC’s Curriculum Team by email at curriculum@nacc.ca.