Langara College

Early Childhood Education Ca

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Why Choose ECE?

“I have been an active E.C. Educator for the past 38 years and during that time I have shared my skills and devotion in encouraging and supporting children and their families. Each day I become excited about the possibilities of awakening the senses of the ever interested child, with yet another wonder.

Within my group of peers I have been recognised for my teaching career and am proud to have received the Goldie Maycock Award, many yearly commendation awards, and most recently am the first recipient of the Prime Ministers Award for Excellence in Early Childhood Education in Canada. These recognitions are more than special but only go to enhance each day of sharing my expertise with a new group of young children. With so many years behind me and others like me, you can see why we need exciting new recruits for our ever-rewarding field. If you have the PASSION the MOTIVATION the LOVE the never ending ENERGY and INTEREST we need you. Be part of our E.C.E. family and you will share in the gifts our children of the future have to give.”

Liz Reid
Early Childhood Educator

“Our family was fortunate enough to have three children in parent participation pre-school. The experience of working with and learning from trained Early Childhood Education staff and educators had a very positive impact on our formative years as parents. We felt safe and supported. The centre staff provided many learning opportunities not only in teaching by example but through parent education talks and workshops. Our children were happy and we grew in confidence with skills. It still brings a smile to my face when I think of pre-school.”

From Mary

“My positive experience in an Early Childhood education centre gave me the confidence as a child to come into my own. I had a sense of safety and freedom to explore in a rich learning environment which allowed me to advance my social skills and attain a diverse knowledge base that helped me to better understand the world around me. My choice to train to be an Early Childhood Educator comes from my belief that this profession very much suits my work values. I also believe that early childhood is a pivotal time in one’s life and I consider it an honour to be part of it through this rewarding career choice. I look forward to assisting young children in their development and observing the affects on a day-to-day basis. I believe my choice to take Langara’s ECE program was a good one. The program provides many opportunities for hands-on experiences and an introduction to a variety of philosophies in preparation for a job in the field.”

From Vanessa

In recent years, Canadians have come to recognize that quality child care has long term benefits for children, families and society, and provides essential support for parents to go to work. The public also increasingly understand that the key to quality care is a well trained, skilled and fairly compensated workforce.

Beacc, J. & Costigliola, B. Working for Change: Canada’s Child Care Workforce. Executive Summary. 2004. Child Care Human Resources Sector Council: Canada.  

Early Childhood Education and Care Contributes to:
(adapted with permission from Childcare Resource and Research Unit)

  1. Social Solidarity
    All childcare settings that are responsive to the diversity within the community they serve can help unite families through common experiences related to their children. These common experiences can show both adults and children that co-operation across social classes and ethnic groups is possible and valued. Childcare settings can be the central meeting place for parents, childcare providers, health and social service professionals, and community volunteers thus enhancing the social cohesion at the community level.

  2. Parental Employment
    Women have joined the workforce in increasing numbers over the years for two main reasons. First of all there is an increased financial burden felt by many families. Thus, access to quality childcare helps to reduce the numbers of children growing up in poverty. Secondly, there has been a shift in societal beliefs regarding women’s work roles and responsibilities. Quality childcare helps parents to balance their work and family responsibilities – thus reducing the amount of stress felt by families. ECEC also supports parents in parenting by providing parent support resources, parent involvement in their childcare setting and helping parents network with one another.
  3. Lifelong Learning
    Not only does quality child care nurture early learning, it also enhances children’s overall development and well being – thus providing a solid foundation for life-long learning. Quality childcare stimulates both social and intellectual growth that persists into elementary school, thus establishing a solid foundation for later learning successes. While quality childcare does lay the foundation for lifelong learning, ECEC also supports an important belief that children have the right to fun and playful learning experiences in the here and now. It is paramount that childhood is a time of life to be cherished and nurtured, not just a time to be prepared for adulthood.