MTI has offered ECCE since 2000
Students are assured of a quality program that exceeds Ministry Standards. The MTI program is highly regarded and recognized by daycares and preschools throughout the province of B.C.

Reggio Emilia Philosophy
Students learn the newest philosophy of teaching Early Childhood Education that is commended by the Ministry.

ECCE Instructors have worked in the field
High quality instruction that ensures students are extremely skilled upon graduation.

Classrooms are well equipped with ECCE materials
Students are able to learn hands on using materials and resources found in many daycares and preschools.

Students are provided with supplies for projects
Supplies for projects can be very costly. MTI does not want students burdened with hidden costs.

Practicum Placement is done by the college
Students do not have to use their own valuable time looking for a practicum.

Practicum Supervisors are “supervisors” only and are dedicated to practicum placement and monitoring
MTI Practicum Supervisors are there to assist and guide students full time. MTI students receive a minimum of 1 visit per week at the practicum site. If additional support is needed during practicum then students receive additional visits. In addition MTI holds practicum seminars that further support students.

Practicum Prep
MTI prepares students for practicum during a practicum prep week prior to each practicum. This ensures that students have a successful transition from classroom to practicum.

Infant/Toddler and Special Needs Training is also available
Students can extend their education and have greater job opportunities in the field, working in infant/toddler centres, supported childcare, licensing or as an instructor in an Early Childhood College Program.

Program
The purpose of the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) 47 week certificate program is to prepare graduates to work with children in a variety of child care settings.

Employment
Upon successful completion of the MTI ECCE certificate program, students must complete licensing requirements of the government of BC to be registered as an ECCE educator in BC. Students will be qualified to work in a variety of settings, including daycare centres and preschools. Students may even want to start their own daycare

Courses
In order to graduate each student must successfully complete 37 weeks of in class lectures/experiences and 10 weeks of practicum. As well, students will need to have a clean criminal record check.

Advocacy
Advocacy focuses on ECCE as a profession, the supports in place for the profession, the current work being done by local, provincial and federal childcare advocacy groups. As well as working towards making ECCE stronger, more recognized and better understood by government and communities in the future. This course provides students with the latest research and will provide students with an understanding of the roles and responsibilities of advocate agencies in BC

Child Growth & Development 0-5
Students cover in depth the behaviour and development of children; with a special emphasis on the early years, prenatal to six years. Major theories in the field of Child Growth and Development will be studied in relation to a young child’s physical, social, emotional, cultural and intellectual development. It includes the psychological theories and their relationship to child development, genetics and the environment in child growth, the role of prenatal development and the birth process in child development

Child Growth and Development 6-12
This course focuses on the growth and development process of children between the ages of 6 and 18. Emphasis is placed on the physical, social, emotional, cultural and intellectual development of the child. Students will discuss early and late maturation in males and females and relationships between the adolescent and family.

Language & Literature
Language and literature is one of four development courses that will allow students to acquire knowledge in regards to Language and Literacy. Students will learn about the different aspects of language and literacy through a variety of medium such as storybooks, puppet shows, etc. The students will also learn about the importance of acquisition of language in the early pre-verbal years. This course has a balance of current theories of language acquisition, and hands-on experience with story telling; including emergent reading and writing skills that are developmentally appropriate for 3-5 year olds. Students are encouraged to explore various ways of story telling to assist children’s development with communication and language acquisition.

Parent, Teacher, and Community Relations
Aspects of parent/teacher and community relations in an early childhood setting are covered in this course. Topics include: the role of the parent in an early childhood setting, the importance of parent education, making reports to parents, understanding the needs of families with atypical or mainstream children, the provincial regulations regarding licensing and certification, and developing knowledge of community resources that would be useful in an early childhood environment. This course also explores communication with other cultures, empathetic listening, and understanding the family unit and its diversity.

Emergent Art
This program development course will allow students to develop the knowledge, experience and skill in creating emergent art activities and projects. Students will also learn how to implement and evaluate different art mediums and learning environments for children. Students will discover creativity through exploration of various materials and supplies. Through art children gain confidence in motor skills, self-expression, imaginative thinking, problem solving and originality. Students will learn to value the process and exploration of theory and practical examples of art

Emergent Curriculum
Students are introduced to the Reggio Emilia Approach to childcare. The Reggio Approach is based on following the children’s interests, involving them in hands-on, multi-sensory activities and active exploration. Students will learn to work with the children as a guide and co-explorer, using interests and abilities as a blue print. It also examines the role of the Early Childhood Educator in establishing an environment that facilitates learning through play, projects, documentation, webbing and provocations. Students will also explore the role of the teacher, aesthetics in the classroom, and the importance of following the child’s lead in curriculum planning.

ECCE Foundations
This course provides students with an understanding of the current approaches to Canadian Childcare and Childcare Regulations in BC. The class will look at the meaning of an Early Childhood professional, through discussions, research, licensing Regulations and review of the Code of Ethics. Students will study the historical influences from past educators and identify the philosophers/theorists who had an influence on the development of ECCE. Students will research societal issues and contemporary trends, discovering the influence each has on curriculum and planning the learning environment.

Guiding and Caring
The role of the early childhood educator in Guidance, Discipline and Behaviour Management is examined in this course. It highlights theories, models and skills related to promoting healthy social and emotional development at both the individual and group level. Students will review case studies sot that they can practice guidance techniques like those that they will experience in a childcare setting. Students will learn to identify different types of behaviours and use different intervention strategies. The course will also look at the importance of environment and how it affects children’s behaviour.

Health, Safety and Nutrition
Aspects of health and nutrition related to the early childhood setting are studied. Issues include safety, child abuse, hygiene, emergency procedures, recognition and management of childhood illness. Students will research the symptoms and treatment of the usual childhood diseases. Dental care and its contribution to overall health are stressed. Nutrition and its contribution to health are incorporated in the meal planning. The course will also cover the Ministry regulations on child abuse and be able to recognize signs and have a policy for dealing with such situations. Students complete a one day Ministry approved first aid course in Health, Safety and Nutrition.

Music & Movement
Music and Movement focuses on the knowledge, experience and skills needed to implement music and movement within an emergent curriculum program. This course recognizes the individual child’s abilities and skills and be able to engage the child in musical activities that are developmentally appropriate. It also looks at the understanding of the auditory experience of the young child and how that may affect their involvement in listening, movement, language and music based activities. This is an extremely hands-on course, in which student will gain experience in leading a group of preschool children in a music and movement session using a collected repertoire of traditional, ethnic and original songs, chants, finger plays, rhythmic plays, stories, games, activities and improvisations

Observation & Recording Theory
A course, which introduces students to observation and recording methods to develop skills in objectively observing and recording the behaviour and growth and development of young children. Different kinds of observational techniques are explored. Weekly observations contribute to a major part of this course.

Observation & Recording Application
In the application portion of the program, students will develop skills in observing, recording and documenting children’s work to gain a better understanding of emergent curriculum. Based on these observations students will begin to interpret behaviours and develop program strategies.

Science, Socials, & Math
This course will allow students to acquire the knowledge, experience and skill in planning science, socials and math curriculum. Students will also learn how to implement and evaluate different learning environments for children. Students will explore simple scientific and mathematic principles and learn about the importance of science, math and social studies to the development of child’s understanding of the world

Practicum
Students must successfully complete all required components in the ECCE program to be eligible for practicum placement. Students must complete 2 practicum placements in a licensed 3-5 childcare setting. Practicum placement is 10 weeks in length, which includes practicum preparation and practicum seminars. Practicum provides students with excellent hands-on training, networking and job prospects. The practicum placements are arranged by MTI Community College.

Career & Professional Development
This course focuses on preparing our future graduates in the job search and interview process. Students will develop a resume, a cover letter, and interview skills.