Graduates are employed in integrated and community based programs, consultative services and specialized settings serving children with special needs. Models of service delivery and roles of resource teachers vary.

1. Your Early Childhood Education diploma OR your College of ECE registration card.
2. An up-to-date resume that includes details about your work experience as an ECE.
3. A letter of reference from a supervisor or client who can attest to your experience working with children with special needs. The letter should state how many hours/days/months of experience with children with special needs you have. This experience can have occurred during a field placement, volunteer work or paid employment.
4. A completed Freedom of Information waiver.

New students may begin the program in any of the three terms of study (Fall, Winter, Spring/Summer).

Deadlines to apply are:

• For Winter entry: December 10th
• For Spring/Summer entry: April 10th
• For Fall entry: August 10th

Applicants will receive confirmation of acceptance within 2 weeks of the application deadline.

It is your responsibility to ensure that program requirements and course prerequisites as outlined are met. Prerequisites are included for your academic protection. Knowledge of the prerequisite material is assumed by your instructor and instruction will proceed accordingly. Students lacking prerequisites not only jeopardize their own ability to succeed but present unnecessary interruption. If you lack appropriate prerequisites (or Transfer Credit for the prerequisite course) you may be asked to withdraw or transfer to a more appropriate course with the risk of academic/financial penalty.

Note:

1. Students are responsible to ensure that program requirements and course prerequisites are met.
2. Students who lacks appropriate prerequisites will be asked to withdraw or transfer to an appropriate course with potential risk of financial and academic penalty.
3. Please check course prerequisites and corequisites before registering. Both fieldwork courses have a co-requisite. Students must register for both academic fieldwork co-requisite courses.

To apply, please fill in the form below and add the following documents:

1. ECE Diploma
2. Resume
3. Reference Letter
4. Freedom of information waiver

For details, please see Entry Requirements.

Prospective students must be approved before registering in this program.

 

As a graduate, you will be prepared to reliably demonstrate the ability to:

1. plan, recommend and support play-based* early learning activities, program* adaptations* and modifications* to accommodatethe learning, abilities and developmental needs of children living with a variety of special needs*.
2. advise and lead agency/childcare centre staff and community partners in the development of a philosophy of inclusion and of policies and practices that support maximum participation of all children*, including children living with special needs*, in early learning opportunities.
3. select, administer and interpret a variety of observation techniques* and screening tools to identify children* at risk for atypical development and learning, and refer to specialists for further assessment and intervention as necessary.
4. create and maintain partnerships with families*, agency/childcare centre staff and community partners, to provide family-centeredand community-based supports and services for children living with special needs*.
5. plan, co-ordinate and evaluate individualized Family Service Plans (FSP)* for children living with special needs*, incorporating development and learning goals and developed in consultation with families*, early learning educators, health professionals and community service providers.
6. plan and deliver strength-based training to families*, agency/childcare centre staff and community partners, and evaluate results.
7. provide consultation, case management and referral services to families* and agency/childcare centre staff in early learning settings.
8. identify and act in accordance with current legislation, regulations and evidence-based practices* in early childhood education,special needs and inclusive* practice.
9. promote the benefits of inclusive*, meaningful and purposeful learning opportunities and services for children living withspecial needs* and for their families*.
10. engage in reflective practice and keep current in emerging knowledge of early childhood education, special needs related and inclusive* practice.

The ECE Resource Consulting program has two field placement opportunities: ERS203 Introduction to Resource Consulting and ERS302 Collaborative Resource Consulting. Each placement is 105 hours supervised by a qualified Resource Consultant.

How Do the Placements Work?

Placement hours are accomplished within appropriate host agencies (such as schools, childcare centres, rehabilitation centres, early intervention services teams) with host supervisors who are qualified Resource Teachers/Consultants. The time spent in placement is an opportunity for hands-on learning and to incorporate and reflect upon what students are learning online.

Placement hours are part of each fieldwork course, which will also include online readings and assignments. Your fieldwork instructor will liaise with your host supervisor in order to support and evaluate your progress in placement.

Where Will I Do My Placement?

That's up to you. Students are encouraged to research and find placement opportunities that are local to them. It is advisable to search for placements and arrange for a placement opportunity several months in advance of registration in a fieldwork course.

The field placement coordinator or program manager may be able to assist by providing suggestions per locality, however students are expected to make placement arrangements themselves with potential host supervisors.

Your ERS203 placement opportunity must be approved before registering for the placement course by emailing the following information to: stephanie.gallant@senecacollege.ca.

1. Full name, address, phone number of the placement agency
2. Full name and contact details of the Resource Consultant who will be supervising your placement
3. Proposed schedule of placement hours eg. 1 day per week for 11 weeks etc.

Field Placement Documentation

Please ensure that the following documents are current before embarking on placement hours. You will need to have these documents reviewed by the field placement coordinator and/or fieldwork course instructor at the start of term. Your host agency may also require you to submit them for review.

• CPR Level C
• Medical Vaccination Records (including 1-Step TB Test) as reviewed by a physician. Form found here.
• Vulnerable Sector Check (Police Check). Students in the City of Toronto may use the pre-authorized form found here. Others should inquire at their local police office to pursue the Check.