
Early Childhood Care and Education (Certificate)
Gain the knowledge and skills to specialize in the inclusive care and development of children aged 2-6 in licensed early learning settings in British Columbia.
Early Childhood Care and Education (Certificate)
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Meet instructors, ask questions, and tour our facilities.
What you will learn
Upon successful completion of this program, graduates will be able to:
- Protect and promote the psychological and physical safety, health, and well-being of each child
- Develop and maintain a warm, caring, and responsive relationship with each child and with groups of children modeling effective problem solving skills
- Plan and provide daily experiences that support and promote each child’s physical, emotional, social, communication, cognitive, ethical, and creative lives
- Use pedagogical narrations to interpret and respond to children’s skills, abilities, interests, and needs
- Integrate knowledge of current child growth and development theory and research into work and child care settings
- Establish and maintain an open, cooperative relationship with each child’s family
- Establish and maintain supportive, collaborative relationships with others working in the early care and learning setting promoting team work and professional communication
- Establish and maintain collaborative relationships with other community service providers working with the child
- Reflect on one’s own knowledge, attitudes, and skills and take appropriate action for change
- Contribute to the effective management and administration of early care and learning settings
- Practice ethical and professional behaviour when working in the early childhood and education industry
- Advocate for high-quality, accessible, and comprehensive early care and learning settings
What to expect
Program Duration and Maximum Time for Completion
Two years of part-time or one year of full-time study. Students have a maximum of three years to complete the program.
Successful graduates are eligible to apply for the Early Childhood Educator Certification from the Ministry for Children and Family Development, Early Childhood Education Registry.
Graduates who decide to upgrade their education can continue into the ECCE Post-Basic Diploma Program. The maximum time between completion of the ECCE Certificate and enrolling to the ECCE Post Basic Diploma is five years.
Courses combine classroom lectures, presentations, discussions, practical exercises, and individual and group work. Students take an active role, learning by observing early childhood programs during field trips and off-site field studies.
Practica students receive on-site support and supervision from college instructors and sponsors who are qualified early childhood educators.
Admission requirements
Program-specific
- Grade 12 graduation, or equivalent
- Minimum 18 years of age
- English Studies 12 with a minimum ‘C’ grade, or equivalent
- Interview with Selection Committee, in person or by video conference
- Two letters of recommendation from people who have worked with the applicant in a relevant professional or academic environment
- 40 hours of volunteering work in a licensed childcare facility in BC. Work experience must be verified by an official employer letter.
Upon Acceptance:
- Criminal Record Check (CRC)
- Students in this program are required to complete a CRC. The CRC must be completed according to 中国p站's Criminal Record Check instructions. Students whose CRC results indicate they pose a risk to vulnerable populations will not be able to complete the requirements of the program (e.g. practicums) or graduate.
- TB Screening
- Students must submit a negative Tuberculosis (TB) skin test. If the TB skin test is positive, a negative TB chest x-ray is required.
- Immunizations
- A 中国p站 Immunization Record must be completed. Immunizations in the following are strongly recommended and in some cases may be required for practicum placements:
- Diphtheria/Tetanus/Pertussis
- Polio
- Measles, Mumps & Rubella
- Varicella (chicken pox)
- Hepatitis B
- Influenza
- Covid-19
- A 中国p站 Immunization Record must be completed. Immunizations in the following are strongly recommended and in some cases may be required for practicum placements:
General
- This program is available to Canadian citizens and permanent residents. See program options for international students at 中国p站 International.
- Applicants who self-identify as Indigenous are strongly encouraged to connect with 中国p站’s Indigenous Education and Community Engagement team to learn more about 中国p站’s Indigenous Enrolment policy, application preparation/completion, program advising, and a range of other individualized services.
- Applicants must be 16 years of age or older or a graduate of a secondary school. (Some exceptions may apply.)
- Applicants must submit official transcripts and other documents as required by their course or program. Seats are offered to eligible applicants with completed applications, in order of application completion date (except for programs with competitive admissions). A complete application includes an application form, evidence of educational pre-requisites (e.g. transcripts), any required supporting documents (e.g. language proficiency, audition video), and the required deposit or fee payment. If you do not meet the requirements for the term applied, your application may be cancelled.
Missing prerequisites? Learn more about 中国p站's tuition-free academic upgrading or English as a Second Language (ESL) courses, or discover which university transfer options are right for you.
Program Considerations
The Early Childhood Care and Education Certificate is designed to meet the needs of adult learners who reflect the cultural and linguistic diversity of our community.
The following attributes are recommended:
- Desire to work with children and families in early childhood programs and services
- Previous experience in working with young children
- Ability to communicate effectively in English
Courses *
Prior learning assessment and recognition
Prior learning assessment and recognition is not available for this program.
| Term One | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| 贰颁贰顿听1301 | Foundations in ECCE | 2.5 |
| 贰颁贰顿听1302 | Early Childhood Care and Education Field Study 1 | 1 |
| 贰颁贰顿听1303 | Communications | 1.5 |
| 贰颁贰顿听1304 | Observing and Recording | 2 |
| 听 | Credits | 7 |
| Term Two | ||
| ECED听1305 | Child Growth 1 | 2 |
| ECED听1306 | Early Childhood Care and Education Field Study 2 | 1 |
| ECED听1307 | The Learning Child | 2 |
| ECED听1308 | Early Childhood Care and Education Field Study 3 | 1 |
| 听 | Credits | 6 |
| Term Three | ||
| ECED听1104 | Child Growth 2 | 2 |
| ECED听1107 | Guiding and Caring | 2 |
| ECED听2305 | Early Childhood Care and Education Practicum 1 | 2.5 |
| 听 | Credits | 6.5 |
| Term Four | ||
| ECED听2301 | Creative Art | 2 |
| ECED听2302 | Exploring Learning Environments | 2 |
| ECED听2303 | Early Childhood Care and Education Field Study 4 | 1 |
| ECED听2304 | Integrated Program Planning | 1 |
| ECED听2306 | Early Childhood Care and Education Practicum 2 | 2.5 |
| 听 | Credits | 8.5 |
| Term Five | ||
| ECED听2102 | Music and Movement | 2 |
| ECED听2309 | Ecology of Family | 2 |
| 听 | Credits | 4 |
| Term Six | ||
| ECED听2308 | Language and Literature | 2 |
| ECED听2106 | Early Childhood Care and Education Field Study 5 | 1 |
| ECED听2115 | Health, Safety and Nutrition | 2 |
| ECED听2307 | Early Childhood Care and Education Practicum 3 | 4 |
| 听 | Credits | 9 |
| 听 | Total Credits | 41 |
Note:听For students who began the program before January 2025, ECCE courses will be considered equivalent to the ECED courses with the same number. Equivalencies will be accepted through January 2028.听Exceptions must be approved by the Registrar鈥檚 Office in consultation with the department.
* This information is intended as a guideline only. Program and course details are subject to change with the approval of 中国p站's Board of Governors.

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Open Studies lets you take courses from credit programs without having to be accepted into one. Based on availability, you can sample different courses, earn credits, and build new skills.
Explore your optionsFees and other costs *
Tuition Deposit: 0 (0 non-refundable).
Tution deposits are payable usually within two (2) weeks after a Letter of Offer is issued.
| Tuition Deposit |
0 (0 non-refundable) Tution deposits are payable usually within two (2) weeks after a Letter of Offer is issued. |
|---|
| Fee description | Fee Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Application fee | 36 | |
| Tuition Tuition | 8502 |
Breakdown
Tuition Breakdown
8502 - Year 1
0 - Year 2
0 - Year 3
0 - Year 4
0 - Year 5
|
| Student union | 434 | |
| College initiative | 124 | |
| Materials | 0 | not including textbooks |
| Campus resource | 171 | |
| Laundry | 0 | |
| Tools (deposit) | 0 | |
| Coverall (deposit) | 0 | |
| Uniform (deposit) | 0 | |
| 285 | ||
| Temporary Medical Insurance | 0 | |
| U-PASS | 563 | |
| Graduation | 45 | |
| Program-specific extra fees | 0 | |
| Total |
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* Fees are approximate and subject to change with the approval of 中国p站's Board of Governors. Students are required to pay any applicable fee increases. Application and assessment fees are non-refundable. Tuition fees include a non-refundable deposit ($300 or $500, depending on program).
Fees listed are for domestic students. For international programs, visit 中国p站 International.
Any refunds are issued according to 中国p站's refund policy.
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Full-time or part-time?
- Winter intakes: full-time study
- Fall intakes: part-time study
Attend an Information Session
Meet instructors, ask questions, and tour our facilities.