Early Childhood Education - Africentric Offering

Overview

Early Childhood Educators (ECEs) plan educational learning opportunities that help nurture the physical, cognitive, and social-emotional wellbeing of children, their families and communities. African Nova Scotian ECEs play an important role in supporting children and families across the province. In this Africentric program offering, you learn through perspectives of the African Nova Scotian community and how to provide culturally responsive early learning and child care. You learn: 

• The skills and knowledge required to work with infants, toddlers, preschoolers and school-aged children. 
• Major Western theories of child care as they relate to Black/African Nova Scotian ways of knowing and being.
• The knowledge to develop trauma-informed and stimulating environments. 
• Effective communication strategies for working with children, families, early childhood educators and other professionals. 
• How to assess children's abilities and skills through developed programing that emphasize the development of the whole child within the context of culture and traditions.  

This program blends classroom study with applied learning and is developed to meet the provincial standards for early childhood education and development in Nova Scotia. Upon graduation, you receive your Level 2 Early Childhood Educator classification from the Province of Nova Scotia.

Work experience

• Field experience is a mandatory credit course, providing the opportunity to apply your knowledge and skills outside the classroom.
  • Placement opportunities require a minimum of 520 hours over 4 scheduled work experiences and are typically unpaid, however, students with experience in a licensed center or pre-primary classroom may be eligible for paid opportunities, if available.
  • Work experiences must be completed in Nova Scotia.
  • Transportation, living accommodations and other costs related to work experience are your responsibility.
• For more information, visit work experience opportunities.

Clinical placement

Choose NSCC

• You spend a significant part of your time with children of all ages, observing and supporting their learning in a variety of settings. This is an important and valued element in your learning portfolio.
• You have access to professional resources, training and support through provincial Early Childhood Development Support Centres. Located at many NSCC campuses, these centres offer support to early learning and child care professionals, students, families and communities throughout Nova Scotia. Each centre coordinates professional development activities and is equipped with a variety of resources, including a lending library, research support and educational/digital equipment.

Availability

The Winter 2025 eCampus offering will be offered for pre-approved applicants. For additional information, please visit the Education and Early Childhood Development website. 

January 2025

Campus	Full time/part time	Delivery	Availability
Akerley Campus Dartmouth	Full time	In person Delivered in-person. Some courses may have online elements.	Seats available Designated for African NS/Black peoples Only open to individuals from specified equity-seeking groups, organizations or companies.
eCampus	Part time	Asynchronous online Delivered fully online with no scheduled classes.	Seats available Designated for Pre-approved applicants Only open to individuals from specified equity-seeking groups, organizations or companies.

Admission requirements

• High School Graduation Diploma or equivalent.
• Must self-identify as African Nova Scotian/Black and reside in Nova Scotia.

Program requirements

• Completion of Emergency First Aid/CPR Level C.
• Portfolio development – As part of your studies at NSCC, you develop a portfolio of your work; the portfolio captures your achievements and profiles your skills to employers.

Tuition, fees and program costs

In addition to annual tuition, there are program costs (books, tools, etc.) and student fees for college services, health and dental plans, your student association and parking.

View detailed program fees page(s). Please note that amounts on these pages are meant for planning purposes only. They don't represent final amounts owing.

• Early Childhood Education - Year 1
• Early Childhood Education - Year 2
• Early Childhood Education - Year 1 - Part-time
• Early Childhood Education - Year 2 - Part-time
• Early Childhood Education - Year 3 - Part-time
• Early Childhood Education - Year 4 - Part-time

Annual bursaries may be available through the province's African Canadian Services Branch. View bursary details

Career options

• Graduates are qualified to work with infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and school-aged children in licensed child care settings, pre-primary, school-age programs, Head Start, family resource outlets and child development centres within early intervention and public health services.
• Graduates may be eligible to work as educational assistants; please check with your desired school board for verification.
• Many graduates find work providing child care in private homes, as well as operating in-home daycares.

Future study options

• Continue your studies at university – This program includes courses that count towards a university degree. Find out more about having your diploma count towards a university degree