About this program

  • Credential Awarded: 1 Year Graduate Certificate
  • Code: 1220 P1220
  • Delivery Length: 1 Year
  • Online Program Delivery (What's this?)
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Overview

Designed for graduates of Early Childhood Education programs, this post-graduate certificate equips students with the specialized skills needed to support children with exceptionalities and their families.

Emphasizing inclusive education, the curriculum covers assessment strategies, individualized programming, and methods for effective collaboration with families and community partners. Students gain valuable hands-on experience through two field placements.

Highlights
  • All courses are delivered virtually through a combination of synchronous and asynchronous online delivery. The program can be completed fully remotely.
  • Two unique field placement opportunities tailored to your learning and supported by a field placement officer.

  • Strong focus on inclusive education practices, along with family-centred and strength-based decision making.

  • Flexible learning through online course delivery.

  • Graduates will be qualified to become Resource Teachers as defined by the Child Care and Early Years Act (CCEYA).

Career Opportunities
  • Childcare agencies
  • District school boards
  • Hospital programs and playrooms
  • Municipal, non-profit or private day care centres
  • Nursery schools and cooperative preschools
  • Parent-child drop-in centres
  • Professional resource centres
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Courses

Term one (2026 Fall)
Code Course Name Credits
EDUC9110 Foundations of Early Childhood Resource Consulting 3
EDUC9115 Supporting Atypical Development 3
EDUC9120 Adapting Curriculum Practices 3
PRAC9130 Field Placement I - ECE - RC 3
Term two (2027 Winter)
Code Course Name Credits
EDUC9210 Evidence Informed Decision Making 3
EDUC9215 Empowering Families Through Strength-Based Approaches 3
EDUC9220 Working With Others Through Professional Engagement 3
PRAC9230 Field Placement II - ECE - RC 3
Learning Outcomes Term: 1264
  1. Build and maintain responsive relationships and partnerships with children with special needs and families from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds including Indigenous peoples’ worldviews and Francophone identity, to provide culturally relevant early learning opportunities, programs and services.

  2. Recommend, discuss and plan, in partnership with families and early childhood educators, inquiry and play-based early learning program adaptations to accommodate and support learning, holistic development and well-being in children with special needs.

  3. Advise and lead early childhood educators and children’s service partners in the development of a philosophy of inclusion and policies and practices that support diverse, equitable and accessible learning opportunities for children with special needs and their families.

  4. Administer observation strategies and screening tools to interpret and document children’s learning and to identify children with challenges and facilitate families referrals to resources for further assessment and intervention as necessary.

  5. Collaborate with children, families, early learning educators, health professionals and children’s service partners to facilitate the planning, co-ordination and evaluation of individualized support plans for children with special needs.

  6. Plan, deliver and evaluate strength-based training to children, families, early childhood educators and children’s service partners to support quality, inclusive early years and child care programs and services for children with special needs and families.

  7. Provide consultation, service coordination and referral support to families, early childhood educators and children’s service partners to support communication, collaboration and continuity of services for children with special needs and families.

  8. Comply with current legislation, regulations, policies and evidence-informed practices in early years and child care settings to provide quality early learning programs and services for children with special needs and their families.

  9. Advocate for inclusive, meaningful and purposeful early learning opportunities and services for children with special needs, their families and communities.

  10. Engage in reflective practice and keep current in emerging research within the early years sector to lead initiatives related to inclusive practice and improving early learning opportunities, programs and services for all children and especially those living with special needs and their families.

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Admission Requirements

  • Ontario College Diploma in Early Childhood Education, or proof of registry with the College of Early Childhood Educators (CECE) and
  • Proof of English proficiency
Selection and Ranking

Testing or other supplemental evaluation may be required.

Learn more about admission decisions.

Note

Most private college courses and/or credentials are not acceptable as admission requirements for Niagara College programs.

Please contact the Admissions office at [email protected] for assistance.

Program Requirements
Criminal Record Check
  • A Criminal Record Check with Vulnerable Sector Screening (CRC-VSS) which is less than 6 months old is required at the beginning of the program.
  • Students with criminal charges for convictions will be significantly limited in placement, clinical, and/or employment opportunities in this field. The decision of whether a student with criminal charges or convictions is eligible to secure a field placement ultimately lies with the field placement agency.
  • Field placements must be completed in order to graduate.
  • Students will be required to obtain a Vulnerable Sector Screening (VSS) in order to be cleared for placement/clinical. Please note, in order to obtain a Vulnerable Sector Screening (VSS), students must be 18 years of age or older. If a student is not 18 years of age or older at the start of this program, they will experience delays in progression through the program.

Communicable Disease Surveillance
  • The confidential Communicable Disease Surveillance (CDS) Form must be completed and submitted to Student Health Services prior to the start of the program.
  • Please view the CDS Form and Checklist for health requirements at niagaracollege.ca/cdsform/.
  • This process may take up to 10 weeks or more and requires a visit to your personal physician and/or a Public Health Department.
  • If the CDS process is not completed your placement, clinic or co-op opportunity will be denied.
First Aid and CPR
  • Current Standard First Aid certification and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Level C certification is required other
Physical Fitness
  • Students applying to the ECE program should recognize the physical demands involved in caring for children and may be required to lift up to 22.7 kilograms (50 pounds).
  • Additionally, some Boards of Education have instituted a fit for field test.
Transportation
  • Students are responsible for their own transportation in order to complete program requirements which may not be readily accessible by public transportation.
  • Program requirements could include co-ops, placements, volunteer requirements, practical labs, field projects, assignments, clinicals, or any other off-campus visits required as part of the program’s curriculum.
Computer Requirements

Students are responsible for ensuring that they have a Microsoft Windows-based desktop or laptop that meets or exceeds the following general requirements:

  • A desktop or laptop running on an updated Microsoft Windows operating system (Windows 11 recommended).
  • Minimum 256GB SSD storage and 8 GB memory (note that 16 GB memory is strongly recommended).
  • An integrated or peripheral video camera, microphone, and speaker system.
  • Reliable internet connectivity with Broadband capabilities. A minimum download speed of 10 – 50 Mbps is recommended.

Niagara College may not be able to provide support for systems different than the above specifications as provided software may not operate properly. Academic software for your courses will be made available for download and remote use. Access will also be provided to remote high performance computer labs if software downloads are not feasible.

Note: We do not provide support for Chromebooks or Apple products. (learn more)

All costs associated with program requirements are the responsibility of the student.

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Availability

Note: Online Program Delivery

The delivery of this program is online only for all intakes.

Domestic Applicants Apply
International Applicants Apply
Legendfor intake status table
Open

Accepting applications

Waitlisted

Eligible applications will be placed on a waiting list

Closed

Not accepting applications

Suspended

No longer offered this term

The College reserves the right to cancel or make changes to any course or program, fee, procedure, or campus location at any time.

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Pathways

Explore your pathway options What are pathways? for the Early Childhood Education – Resource Consulting program below.

Did you know?

Applicants with previous postsecondary education will be assessed for transfer credits upon receipt of an official transcript from their previous institution. There is no fee for this service.

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Tuition

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