Early Childhood Studies

Ryerson Early Learning Centre

The Ryerson Early Learning Centre is the School's Licensed laboratory child care facility. The ELC is located on the first floor of Kerr Hall in the South West corner (Map ) and is a key component of the School's teaching and learning mandate.

The ELC provides an exemplary model of early childhood education in full-day child care and early learning programs for 66 children from ages eighteen months to six years.

The Manager of the ELC is Kim Watts who leads a team of eight full-time teachers in four classrooms as follows:

Hours of Operation

8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Monday to Friday

Qualified Educators

The centre manager and teachers are registered with the College of Early Childhood Educators (RECEs). They also hold degrees in Early Childhood Education, Early Childhood Studies or related fields. Many of them have been with the ELC for several years. The ELC serves as a unique demonstration model of best practices in child care and early learning and endeavours to maintain excellent relationships with the families of the children through an active Parent Advisory Committee, social events and daily interaction with the parents.

Internationally Recognized Learning Laboratory

The ELC is an active learning laboratory for students in the Early Childhood Studies Degree program, many of whom will spend time in field placement in the ELC. Students also come to the ELC to learn skills in observation and curriculum development. In addition to serving as the School's model laboratory, the ELC accommodates visitors from all over the world and students from other ECE diploma programs when possible. The ELC is a venue for research in child development and learning, some of which is led by School faculty members.

Play-Based, Active Learning Environment

The central focus of the ELC programs is play-based, active learning through children's interaction with well-planned environments for learning through play. The planned curriculum is developmentally-based with the activities emerging from the assessed developmental needs of the children and their interests. Children are encouraged to explore the indoor and outdoor environments and to engage in activities that are planned to promote specific kinds of learning in all developmental domains. The daily routines allow for a balance of indoor and outdoor play, small and large group activities, and an afternoon rest period as well as two snacks and lunch. The success of the program is demonstrated by the children's ongoing developmental progress and the ease with which they adapt to the daily routines and their interactions with each other and with the teachers. An important component of the ELC is the inclusive program for children with special needs.

ELC Application

Admission to the ELC program is on a first-come, first-served basis with priority reserved for Ryerson students, faculty and staff. The reputation of the ELC has developed over the years so that there is usually a waiting list; therefore, students who wish to place a child in the ELC should be sure to contact the centre interim manager, Kim Watts, well before they enter the School as a student.