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EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION - AEC

Register online now to begin in the Winter 2024 semester > Apply Online

ABOUT THE PROGRAM

Early Childhood Education is a two-year (2) career program leading to the attainment of an Attestation of College Studies (ACS). An individual who has received an attestation in Early Childhood Education works with children from 0 to 12 years old. The main function of this educator is to create an environment promoting the physical, motor, cognitive, language, socio-affective and moral development of the child by establishing, with the child, a significant affective relationship. In addition, their role is to develop, organize, lead and evaluate educational activities that promote overall child development.

This AEC program also fully satisfies the same skills and competencies targeted by the three-year DEC program in Early Childhood Education .

What is the industry like?

The educator must not only ensure the health, security, and well-being of the children under their care but also see to their own health (physical and mental) by organizing a secure daycare environment where daily activities are not overwhelming and by using stress management skills. In this respect, learning to balance and renew one’s energies through a healthy lifestyle represents an essential competency that an educator must master in order to assume his or her numerous responsibilities and tasks.

Also, the educator must develop their ability to reflect on their own practice within the context of their life-long development. A reflection on one’s practice is considered a useful means of personal or professional development in the field of education.

The early childcare educator can work in various types of childcare settings, such as the Centre de la petite enfance (CPE) in an establishment or in a home setting, childcare in a school setting, for-profit childcare centres, drop-in daycares, and playschools. The versatility of the educator plays an important role because the educator must be able to work in each of these environments.

THE ADVANTAGE OF TAV COLLEGE

In addition to providing our students with numerous job offers each month, instructors in the department are actively engaged in the industry and are able to facilitate networking as well as transfer knowledge and skills based on years of experience.

Job with a promising future

Qualified professionals and skilled technicians within the Education and Early Childhood Education sectors in the province of Quebec are currently in high demand leading to jobs with excellent compensation and benefits.

Learn more

PROGRAM TYPE

AEC – Career

LANGUAGE OF INSTRUCTION

English or French

APPLICATION DEADLINES

Jan 25* (Winter)

            Aug 1* (Fall)

           *Late applications

DURATION

2 Years

PROGRAM CAPACITY

120

APPLICATION DEADLINES FOR
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

Jan 20* (Winter)

May 15* (Fall)

*Late applications

PROGRAM CODE

JEE.0K

COMPLETION COMPETENCY

Internship + Synthesis Project

ADMISSION PROCESS

Apply online

WHY STUDY AT TAV COLLEGE?

Instructors in this program bring their personal success stories and experiences to the classroom and guide students towards a successful career as a daycare teacher, daycare director, and/or early childhood educator. Our instructors are eager to share their knowledge and experiences with you in order for graduates to integrate well into the Quebec workforce.

CAREER PROSPECTS

Graduates of this program will be qualified to enter the workforce in any of the following professions*:

  • Daycare teacher
  • Preschool supervisor
  • Child care worker assistant
  • Child care worker, daycare
  • Early childhood educator – preschool
  • Daycare supervisor
  • Daycare worker
  • Early childhood educator (E.C.E.)
  • Early childhood supervisor
  • Early childhood educator assistant
  • Early childhood assistant

Information provided by the Government of Canada  

early-childhood-education-aec-program-montreal

COMPETENCIES DEVELOPED

Graduates of the Early Childhood Education AEC program will be prepared to do the following:

  • Examine the job function of an educator
  • Observe children’s behavior
  • Identify a child’s needs with respect to his or her overall development
  • Function safely in the work environment
  • Establish an affective relationship with children
  • Intervene with respect to a child’s health
  • Communicate in the workplace
  • Provide support to a child
  • Use creativity in a work context
  • Design activities promoting overall child development
  • Organize educational activities
  • Lead educational activities
  • Intervene with respect to the behavior of a child or a group of children
  • Write and summarize texts pertaining to the profession

 

daycare-teacher-program-montreal

WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE DEC AND AEC PROGRAMS?

The difference between an AEC and DEC in Early Childhood Education

The main differences between obtaining an AEC and a DEC in Early Childhood Education in Quebec are the following:

AEC

  • Takes 24 months to complete.
  • Students are only required to complete program-specific courses.
  • There is no Ministerial Exit Exam.
  • AEC graduates must accumulate three years of experience before being recognized as qualified educators for the purposes of satisfying the requirements set by the Ministère de la Famille.
  • AEC graduates are paid as per the pay scale for the profession.
  • Graduates do not obtain the credits needed to advance to university.

DEC

  • Takes 36 months to complete.
  • Students are required to complete a general education component of their studies in addition to program-specific courses.
  • Students must pass the Ministerial Exit Exam in order to graduate.
  • DEC graduates are immediately recognized as qualified educators who have satisfied the requirements set by the Quebec Ministry of Family.
  • While equally qualified, DEC graduates are paid at a higher rate than AEC graduates due to the additional year of study.
  • Graduates may advance to university.

 

Information for international students

PGWP

This program is eligible for a post-graduation work permit.

Intakes

Fall, Winter

For more information

International Student Admissions

Updated: May 11, 2022

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