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.
What you will learn
On completion of the Early Childhood Care and Education Certificate, graduates will be able to:
Protect and promote the psychological and physical safety, health and well-being of young children 2-6 years of age.
Develop and maintain a warm, caring, and responsive relationship with each child and with groups of children.
Administer daily experiences that support and promote children's physical, emotional, social, communication, cognitive, ethical and creative lives.
Use pedagogical narration to interpret and respond to every child's skills, abilities, interests and needs with special focus on infants and toddlers and children who need extra support.
Analyze variations in developing among young children 2-6.
Establish and maintain an open, cooperative relationship with each child's family.
Establish and maintain inclusive, supportive, collaborative relationships with others working in the early care and learning setting.
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.
Practice administrative and management skills as related to early care and learning settings.
Advocate for high-quality, accessible, comprehensive and inclusive early care and learning settings.
What to expect
Courses combine classroom lectures, presentations, discussions, practical exercises, and individual and group work. Students take an active role and learn by observing early childhood programs during field trips and off-site field studies. Students are exposed to the new ECCE resources SECD (Science of Early Child Development). Guest speakers are invited for every course in order to provide community awareness and connections for the students.
The class time includes the use of the ECCE Lab. The ECCE Lab is a combination of classroom space and several mock learning centers. The instructors incorporate the practical application in their lectures.
Practicum 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 Language Proficiency assessed at English 12 with a minimum 'C'
- Interview with Selection Committee, in person or by video conference
- Two letters of recommendation, indicating suitability for the program
- 40 hours of volunteering work in a licensed childcare facility in BC. (Due to the pause of field activities, 40 hours of volunteering work will be waived for the Fall 2020 ECCE Certificate intake)
Upon Acceptance:
- Criminal Record Check (CRC)
- In accordance with the Criminal Records Review Act, all individuals who work with vulnerable adults and/or children must complete a Criminal Record Check through the Ministry of Justice. Applicants to this program will be responsible for any costs incurred in the Criminal record Check. After submitting an admissions application, applicants will receive by email a web link and unique college access code to apply and pay for the Criminal Record Check online. The CRC has to be completed prior to the start of the first course.
- 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 VCC Immunization Record must be completed. Immunizations in the following are strongly recommended and in some cases may be required for practicum placements:
- Diphtheria/Tetanus
- Polio
- Measles, Mumps & Rubella
- Varicella (chicken pox)
- Hepatitis B
- Influenza
- A VCC Immunization Record must be completed. Immunizations in the following are strongly recommended and in some cases may be required for practicum placements:
Program-specific
- Grade 12 graduation or equivalent
- Minimum 18 years of age
- English Language Proficiency assessed at English 12 with a minimum ‘C’
- Interview with Selection Committee, in person or by video conference
- Two letters of recommendation, indicating suitability for the program
- 40 hours of volunteering work in a licensed childcare facility in BC
Upon Acceptance:
- Criminal Record Check (CRC)
- In accordance with the Criminal Records Review Act, all individuals who work with vulnerable adults and/or children must complete a Criminal Record Check through the Ministry of Justice. Applicants to this program will be responsible for any costs incurred in the Criminal record Check. After submitting an admissions application, applicants will receive by email a web link and unique college access code to apply and pay for the Criminal Record Check online. The CRC has to be completed prior to the start of the first course.
- 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 VCC Immunization Record must be completed. Immunizations in the following are strongly recommended and in some cases may be required for practicum placements:
- Diphtheria/Tetanus
- Polio
- Measles, Mumps & Rubella
- Varicella (chicken pox)
- Hepatitis B
- Influenza
- A VCC 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. Program options for international students can be found at VCC International.
- 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 educational documents as required by their course or program.
Missing prerequisites? Learn more about VCC's tuition-free in academic upgrading, university transfer or English as a Second Language (ESL) Courses.
Recommended Characteristics
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
*On completion of the ECCE Certificate Program, students may continue their studies to obtain the ECCE Post-Basic Diploma.
| Term One | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| ECCE 1301 | Foundations in ECCE | 2.5 |
| ECCE 1302 | Field Study 1 | 1 |
| ECCE 1303 | Communications | 1.5 |
| ECCE 1304 | Observing and Recording | 2 |
| Credits | 7 | |
| Term Two | ||
| ECCE 1305 | Child Growth 1 | 2 |
| ECCE 1306 | Field Study 2 | 1 |
| ECCE 1307 | The Learning Child | 2 |
| ECCE 1308 | Field Study 3 | 1 |
| Credits | 6 | |
| Term Three | ||
| ECCE 1104 | Child Growth 2 | 2 |
| ECCE 1107 | Guiding and Caring | 2 |
| ECCE 2305 | Practicum 1 | 2.5 |
| Credits | 6.5 | |
| Term Four | ||
| ECCE 2301 | Creative Art | 2 |
| ECCE 2302 | Exploring Learning Environments | 2 |
| ECCE 2303 | Field Study 4 | 1 |
| ECCE 2304 | Integrated Program Planning | 1 |
| ECCE 2306 | Practicum 2 | 2.5 |
| Credits | 8.5 | |
| Term Five | ||
| ECCE 2102 | Music and Movement | 2 |
| ECCE 2309 | Ecology of Family | 2 |
| Credits | 4 | |
| Term Six | ||
| ECCE 2308 | Language and Literature | 2 |
| ECCE 2106 | Field Study 5 | 1 |
| ECCE 2115 | Health, Safety and Nutrition | 2 |
| ECCE 2307 | Practicum 3 | 4 |
| Credits | 9 | |
| Total Credits | 41 | |
* This information is intended as a guideline only. Program and course details are subject to change with the approval of VCC's Board of Governors.
Fees and other costs
*| Fee description | Fee Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Application fee | 35 | |
| Tuition | 7548 |
Tuition Breakdown
0 - 1
0 - 2
0 - 3
0 - 4
|
| Student union | 0 | |
| College initiative | 108 | |
| Materials | 0 | not including textbooks |
| Campus resource | 302 | |
| Laundry | 0 | |
| Tools (deposit) | 0 | |
| Coverall (deposit) | 0 | |
| Uniform (deposit) | 0 | |
| Medical & Dental | 0 | |
| U-PASS | 0 | |
| Graduation | 0 | |
| Program-specific extra fees | 0 | |
| Total |
* Fees are approximate and subject to change with the approval of VCC's Board of Governors. Students are required to pay any applicable fee increases. Application and assessment fees are non-refundable.
Fees listed are for domestic students. For international programs, visit VCC International.
Any refunds are issued according to VCC's refund policy.
Apply now
Application deadlines:
Part-time: August 3, 2021
Full-time: applications open October 4, 2021
Admission interviews:
Full-time: Nov 22 – Dec 01, 2021
Part-time: July 2–16 and August 9-20, 2021
Program start dates:
Full-time: January 2022
Part-time: September 2021
VCC Continuing Studies
250 West Pender St.
Vancouver, B.C., V6B 1S9
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