What’s It Like in The ECA Program? A Graduate Tells You All!

It all started with a visit to Anderson. Read Lilloutie’s journey, written in her own words.

It was my first time visiting Canada and I was going to be starting college soon. I had never visited Canada before, I could remember how I was both scared and excited at the same time. I applied to start the Early Childcare Assistant program at Anderson College. It was situated in Mississauga which wasn’t too far from where I lived in Brampton.​

On the first day, I was visiting the campus for my orientation and I was quite nervous. All I could think about was how strange it was going to be to live in a new country, go to a new college and make new friends. I immigrated here and was staying with my aunt, so she came with me to my orientation so I felt a bit more comfortable. As I arrived, we took the elevator to the main floor where the office was located. We approached the receptionist who greeted us with a warm welcome and asked us to sit and wait for the director of the college to come to meet us. As I sat there waiting, I began to observe my surroundings and noticed that all of the staff were friendly. I observed how fast the receptionist was doing her tasks, all while attending to other people in the room. Another woman that was sitting next to me began chatting to me and I realized that she was also there to join the same class. We soon became friends and I was glad that I met someone who would be in the same class as me.​

“As I went to classes, I fell in love with them even more. I didn’t want to stay away!”

Then, the director arrived and led us to his office. We sat down and began discussing the program I would be joining, as well as the rules and regulations of the college. After we finished, we went outside where he accompanied us to the elevator. As we were waiting, a woman approached us. The director introduced us and told us she would be my teacher. She seemed very nice and we stood there talking for a while. She told us about her class and how she considers it to be like one big family. It sounded like a lot of fun to me. As we left, I no longer felt scared but excited to join the class.​

Take the “Early Childhood Educator Career Discovery Quiz”

The day finally arrived to start the program. As I entered the classroom, the teacher greeted us and I realized that a lot of people were early. Everyone was rushing to their seats while I stood there in confusion, looking for an empty seat. A girl who was sitting in the front row called me over to sit with her and we soon became close friends. After that, everyone stood one by one and we introduced ourselves. The teacher asked us to write on a piece of paper about why we chose this class. As I went to classes, I fell in love with them even more. I didn’t want to stay away! Every day when we arrived to class, the teacher greeted us with a warm hug and would tell us how much she missed seeing us.

In the classroom, we played a lot of fun games and did activities for our assignments. We practiced what we would be doing with the children during our practicum, and also went on a lot of exciting group outings. The teacher would help us with our assignments and would give us test reviews, which really helped us during the exams.

When it was near time for us to be leaving for our practicum, she reassured us and told us not to be scared. We practiced activities to do with the children and how to greet parents. Everyone got very emotional at the end of the class! We had a farewell party in which we all talked about what we liked the most about the class and how much we will truly miss each other.​

“Most of us already got jobs and started working! We’re also still in contact and remain friends. My experience at Anderson College will always be a memorable one.​”

During my practicum, I did a lot of activities with the children. The teacher and I took turns planning activities. The children loved the activities that we did together and we bonded over them. During free play, they would rush to me to play and we would often sit in the drama corner and dress up in different costumes where we pretended to be whoever we wanted.

They also liked to play a game where they would hide and I would have to find them. Sometimes I pretended that I didn’t see them to make the game as fun as possible, because they would hide in places where I could find them easily. They all loved to rush under the table (where they could barely fit) and their feet would be sticking out. I could hear them yelling, “Find me!”. We had a lot of fun in the classroom! When it was time to go, I didn’t want to leave and neither did the children. I felt very sad at the end of my practicum, however, I was able to visit my old classroom so that I could see the children, they were always so excited to see me.​

It was then time for me to go back to college to see my teacher and classmates one last time before the final exam. We sat together with our teacher and discussed everything that happened during our practicum. We had a wonderful day reuniting and, in the end, we all went our separate ways. Most of us already got jobs and started working! We’re also still in contact and remain friends. My experience at Anderson College will always be a memorable one.​

Lilloutie S.

For more information about this program, please visit the Early Childcare Assistant program page or contact us!