Shifting priorities inspire new Early Learning and Care program
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May 10, 2010
In a progressive response to shifting community priorities, Camosun’s department of Community, Family and Child Studies introduces the new Early Learning and Care diploma program. Starting in September, the two-year program will prepare learners to provide the rich and responsive early learning environments that today’s employers demand and that hard-working families deserve. With an emphasis on working collaboratively with other professionals and families, the program incorporates historical and contemporary knowledge on early learning and development.
Faculty profile—2009 Gayle Davies Award recipient, Toni Hoyland
Camosun’s ELC program is fortunate to have gifted and connected instructors whose work garners professional acclaim and pushes the boundaries of early learning research and program development. During a career spanning nearly 40 years, Toni Hoyland has contributed her voice—both in song and in passionate advocacy—to the progress and benefit of early education in BC.
Toni established her passion for children and a deep understanding of their needs while helping her mother operate a family childcare centre. She received the 2009 Gayle Davies Award recognizing her commitment to peace, power, friendship and vision—the qualities of excellence in caring. Toni has a well-deserved and impeccable reputation as a talented instructor, able to draw forth the strengths of each student and impart knowledge and expertise.
During her distinguished career, Toni has been a teacher’s aide, a childcare agency director, a college instructor, and a lead author of BC’s Early Learning Framework project. Now Camosun’s ELC program leader, Toni’s expertise has influenced nearly every aspect of early education, in every corner of the province.
A new name for a new program
Early Learning and Care replaces the former Early Childhood Care and Education program and features new curriculum, new program delivery, and a new name. It provides graduates with a strong foundation of knowledge, skills and values they will need in their demanding but rewarding responsibilities of working with young children and families. Students learn how to support and strengthen children’s unique physical, cognitive, emotional, creative, social, cultural and linguistic identities.
The ELC program addresses major shifts in the theory and practise of early learning in Canada, placing an increasing emphasis on family support. The program’s advisory committee agree that graduates with two years of study are better prepared to meet current employer and family demands, especially with recent national trends towards full-day kindergarten and pre-kindergarten programs located in schools. Graduates of the ELC diploma program will be knowledgeable in the roles and responsibilities inherent to the work of early childhood education. They will also be nimble and responsive to the range of employment opportunities that require a two-year credential. Employment opportunities include: drop-in parent/child programs; infant-toddler and early childhood centres; preschool programs; Strong Start programs; young parent programs, school-age care programs and supported child development. With experience, graduates are able to provide leadership within the community of early learning.
For those who wish to continue with further post-secondary education, the ELC diploma offers transfer credit towards degree programs in a number of universities, or the Community, Family and Child Studies program at Camosun College.
For more information about ELC, attend an infosession, email cfcsinfo@camosun.bc.ca or call the program advisor at 250–370–3206
Last updated: May 10, 2010 2:16 pm
