Cambrian College Offers New Pre-Early Childhood Education Program

SUDBURY – Cambrian College has partnered with several Northern Ontario colleges and the Northern Ontario Service Deliverers Association (NOSDA) to create free access to training for a new Pre-Early Childhood Education (ECE) Certificate program.

This program was created in response to current staff shortages and ongoing challenges in recruiting new employees to the childcare sector across Northern Ontario.

This 10-week program is comprised of fully online training followed by a paid two-week placement in a licensed childcare facility.

The new Pre-ECE program is funded in part by the Government of Canada and the Ontario Ministry of Labour through its Skills Development Fund. It is free for domestic students, with classes beginning October 10th, and a new session starting in January of 2023.

Pre-ECE is intended to be a stepping stone to introduce students to the field of early childhood education. With no prerequisites required, the program will equip students with the basic skills and knowledge to start working in an early years and childcare setting.

“This program is an innovative solution to a current staffing shortage right now in Northern Ontario,” says Janice Clarke, Dean of Cambrian’s School of Community Services. “We are excited to be working on a project like this, as it will have a positive impact on so many communities across the north.”

Upon completion of the Pre-ECE program, graduates can seek employment within the licensed childcare sector. Once in the field, graduates will be encouraged and supported through their continued journey to becoming an ECE through the completion of an ECE apprenticeship or diploma program.

“Partnerships with local colleges are critical to the success of this program,” says Catherine Matheson, Chief Administrative Officer of the District of Nipissing Social Services Administration Board (DNSSAB). “Every region of Northern Ontario is seeing these shortages. We are all committed to this project, and to supporting individuals interested in this training to enter the early years and child-care sector.”

For more information about the new Pre-ECE program, visit https://cambriancollege.ca/programs/pre-early-childhood-education.