Bachelor of Early Childhood Leadership (Honours) Fanshawe College - London Campus, Canada

This innovative four-year honours baccalaureate program offers students studies in early childhood development, early childhood pedagogy, human relationships, curriculum development and leadership skills, developing the necessary skills to engage as pedagogical leaders in a diverse range of roles in the evolving disciplines within early childhood education and care.  A key component of this degree is the applied learning that takes place in ideal sized classrooms, with a focus on case studies, research, three field placements, that culminates in one fourteen-week Internship between third and fourth year.  International internships are offered on a limited basis for qualifying students. In the final year, graduating students will participate in a major capstone course that provides students the opportunity to integrate their practical experiences and knowledge in a supervised research project. Opportunities for graduating students include early childhood positions in a variety of early years settings such as Early Childhood Educator, Supervisory Roles in Early Childhood, Designated Early Childhood Educator with Ontario school boards, social service agencies that provide early years programs, and opportunities to further study in Bachelor of Education (teacher college) and Master of Education programs.

Learning Outcomes
The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:

• Analyze the interacting social and biological forces that collectively shape early brain development and set the stage for lifelong learning, behavior and health.
• Respect families' central role in child-rearing and early learning and the impact of family structures, community support systems, culture and socio-economic status on parenting.
• Lead the design and implementation of inclusive, effective curricula for young children, based upon a critical analysis of historical perspectives, observation, current research, and understandings of early human development.
• Develop inclusive early intervention programs that respond to children with identified special needs.
• Evaluate early childhood programs, engaging stakeholders in the process and addressing diverse needs of young children and families.
• Acquire self-knowledge, critical thinking skills and professional habits of mind essential to the practice and leadership of early childhood education.
• Apply research skills, including assessment of the research process, formulation of research questions and collection and interpretation of data, in a variety of research projects.
• Establish responsive and reciprocal relationships with children, families, colleagues and other stakeholders.
• Perform responsibilities in a manner consistent with ethical and professional codes of conduct; in compliance with legislative and legal requirements; and, within the defined scope of practice limitations.
• Advocate on behalf of children, families, colleagues and the broader community, promoting the principles of quality in early childhood programs.
• Apply the principles of human resources, financial and facilities management to the operations of an early childhood program.
• Collaborate with early childhood educators and other professionals in multi-disciplinary or cross-sectoral environments and across diverse domains of practice.
• Communicate in a professional manner in all verbal, non-verbal and written mediums