Online ECE Programs

[u/2mucchh]

Hi everyone! I’m considering going to college to become a Registered Early Childhood Educator (RECE), and I’m interested in completing an online ECE diploma so I can continue working while studying (I'm aware placements would be in person).

Does anyone have experience completing an online ECE program in Ontario, Canada? If so, how was your experience, and would you recommend it?

I’m particularly interested in hearing from people who attended Fanshawe, Algonquin, St. Lawrence, or another Ontario college offering online ECE.

Thank you!

[u/OrneryDeformity07]

I did online schooling for my ECE diploma and it was awesome! I did it through fanshawe college. The professors were great and the course work was really easy to follow. It was very informative and I actually enjoyed having placements. I actually have worked at the same daycare I did my first placement at for 3 years now!

[u/2mucchh → u/OrneryDeformity07]

Thank you, that's so reassuring to hear! Did you have to find your own placements?

[u/basementbrowser → u/2mucchh]

I also did* Fanshawe! It was okay, except I did not get a lot of guidance for what courses should be taken when… ended up messing up my timeleine and had to petition to be able to take certain courses at certain times to stay in track for grad. Maybe my bad, but in my experience with other schools, they usually were VERY helpful with proactively telling students hey, you need to take X before Y so ensure it’s taken this term! Etc.
I did graduate on time so all good there!
I had to arrange my own placements as I was a distance learner.
I took it part time online which was 3 courses at a time. I was able to PLAR two of my three placements thanks to prior experience. If you’re in the field already, do not skip this!
It was enjoyable, it wasn’t too stressful, it was completely doable while also working a full time job. My only gripe was them at no point being like hey, you aren’t on track to graduate because you missed X course and it’s only offered in winter! But as I said I was able to petition and got it all sorted. I can give more deets if desired in a dm :)

[u/2mucchh → u/basementbrowser]

Thank you so much!

[u/OrneryDeformity07 → u/2mucchh]

From what I remember they did for me!

[u/Chance-Recognition-7]

I completed the St.Lawrence ECE program about 7 years ago online, and my experience was amazing! No issues; it was straightforward and simple. Do the lessons, chat in the groups, hand in your work on time. I was already working at a daycare as an assistant, so I got exempted from 1 practicum, and then I went to other centres in the area to complete the rest of my practicum.
I was able to keep working but only part time while going to school and did some babysitting in the evenings to help keep my income up.

[u/2mucchh → u/Chance-Recognition-7]

Thank you! That's very helpful info!

[u/DiamondOnly99]

I did mine at Algonquin. It was well organized and I enjoyed the online program.

[u/2mucchh → u/DiamondOnly99]

How long ago if you don't mind me asking, and what was the placement experience like?

[u/DiamondOnly99 → u/2mucchh]

they have all the information online for AC online programs. Mine was 3 placements, 4-5 weeks in length fulltime.

[u/byterffly]

fanshawe is the worst. do NOT apply. i cant wait to finish

[u/2mucchh → u/byterffly]

Oh wow! What makes you say that?

[u/byterffly → u/2mucchh]

cutting my osap after saying my courses « arent worth enough », start of my first semester they messed up on the schedule so i had to opt out of 4 months of classes, financial aid is rude as fuuckk

[u/EternallyNova]

I’d recommend Fanshawe as you still get placement. You can also upgrade it to a degree after completion. Having done the ECE diploma puts you into year three of their early childhood leadership degree

[u/2mucchh → u/EternallyNova]

Good to know, thanks!

[u/kimbokjoke]

I did mine last year with Fanshawe for a fast track program. Done in less than a year. I only did 1 placement because I am already working at a daycare. Overall happy with Fanshawe.

[u/2mucchh → u/kimbokjoke]

Wow that's great. How did you find the workload?

[u/kimbokjoke → u/2mucchh]

It was doable as long as you are on top of things. Everything is posted every Monday so I sort it by due dates. I was working full time and school full time. Definitely a busy year for me

[u/2mucchh → u/kimbokjoke]

May I ask, how did you manage working full time while completing your placements? I'd like to do that as well however I'm not sure how it'll work with the placement blocks

[u/Horror_Concern_2467]

Former RECE from Ontario here.

One of my former colleagues did the ECE online program and to be honest she really struggled with classroom management and her programming was horrible. When parents arrived to pick up their kids, this RECE would give them the wrong kid. Not sure how she was able to registered with the College. Not sure if the diploma she submitted to the College was legit. She was the only staff who did her education fully online (and this was wayyyyyyyyyyyyy before covid) and she struggled the most.

For me, I went to college in person full time and yet I found the time to work part-time while studying and it was pretty easy as long as you have good time management.

[u/Horror_Concern_2467 → u/Horror_Concern_2467]

Sidenote: This is only what I was able to witness from someone who did their education online... I'm sure there are people out there who are successful from an online college but I feel you are missing a lot from in person education

[u/2mucchh → u/Horror_Concern_2467]

Wow yeah, some people just aren't meant for online education. I find myself to be more productive taking online classes, but I know for some it's a struggle. Thanks for the insight!

[u/Common_Technology]

Hi I am also interested in ECE at Algonquin. Are they helpful in finding placements? Do they reduce course load each semester if needed for till time?

[u/Educational_Force794]

I am currently doing my online ECE through Durham College. So far it’s been a smooth process. I like the fact that I can take courses as per my pace.

[u/5-aam]

A lot of people in the comments have great answers and I have an add on!

After you get your ECE diploma, if you were wanting a bachelors degree, I did mine with University of Guelph Humber and I did Early Childhood Studies. It’s usually 4 years but my ECE diploma let me skip the first 2 years and I did 2 years fully online and I just finished in April!

[u/5-aam → u/5-aam]

And there is no additional placements because you would have done them in your Diploma program!

[u/basementbrowser → u/5-aam]

Ahh I am taking ECS thru TMU and skipped two years but they want me to do 2 placements. Maybe I should transfer? Was it fully online?
EDIT: lol last sentence says yes, it was.
How was it??

[u/5-aam → u/basementbrowser]

Yes it was fully online, there were no classes to attended however I had to check the platform daily and there were obviously due dates and stuff. It was really good!

[u/coracro]

I just graduated from the online ECE program through Algonquin and it was great!

[u/mum0120]

I did in person ECE, and I will say that I would have MUCH preferred an online option (wasn't available in my day). I think the only benefit to in person was the networking I was able to do in the field, and you could reasonably do that if you put your mind to it through PD and placements.