Gain the knowledge and skills to specialize in the inclusive care and development of children aged 0-6 and children with special needs. Graduates qualify for the Infant Toddler Educator (ITE) and Special Needs Educator (SNE) certifications from the B.C. Ministry of Children and Family Development.
Early Childhood Care and Education
What you will learn
- Types of child care services
- Structure, organization, and history of child care in B.C.
- Human development from 0-12
- Care for infants, toddlers, and special needs
- Psychological and physical health and safety
- Play-based learning
- Positive emotional and social development
- Creative arts
- Physical and social sciences
- Pre-mathematics skills
- Music and creative movement
- Program planning
- Family-centered and culturally sensitive care
- Language acquisition
- Nutrition
- Observation and recording
- Relating to and collaborating with families
- Positive and productive co-worker relationships
- Research, trends, current issues
- Interpersonal skills and effective communication
- Self-reflection and change
- Administrative and management skills
- Ethics and professional behaviour
- Child care advocacy
What to expect
Program Duration and Maximum Time for Completion
The duration of the Early Childhood Care and Education Diploma is two years full time (1830 hours of combined lecture, field observations, and practicum). The maximum time for completion is 5 years.
- Classroom lectures
- Discussions and presentations
- Practical exercises
- Individual and group work
- Field trips and off-site field studies
- Guest speakers
- Use of the ECCE Lab (classroom space and mock child learning centres)
- Workplace practicums
- Quizzes and tests
- Essays
- Assignments
- Presentations
- Participation and group work
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
Upon Acceptance:
- Criminal Record Check (CRC)
- Students in this program are required to complete a CRC. The CRC must be completed according to VCC'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 AV资源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 AV资源Immunization Record must be completed. Immunizations in the following are strongly recommended and in some cases may be required for practicum placements:
General
- Seats are offered to applicants who have met all admission requirements, on a first-qualified, first-served basis.
- International applicants must be 17 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.
- All AV资源applicants are required to function successfully in an English-speaking classroom. English requirements vary by program. For details, visit AV资源International - English Requirements.
Recommended Characteristics
The Early Childhood Care and Education Diploma 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 *
Program general hours
Monday to Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Class times are subject to change.
Prior learning assessment and recognition
Prior learning assessment is not available for this program.
First Year | ||
---|---|---|
Term One | Credits | |
贰颁颁贰听1011 | Introduction to Early Childhood Care and Education Studies | 2 |
贰颁颁贰听1301 | Foundations in ECCE | 2.5 |
贰颁颁贰听1302 | Field Study 1 | 1 |
贰颁颁贰听1303 | Communications | 1.5 |
贰颁颁贰听1304 | Observing and Recording | 2 |
贰颁颁贰听1107 | Guiding and Caring | 2 |
贰颁颁贰听2309 | Ecology of Family | 2 |
听 | Credits | 13 |
Term Two | ||
ECCE听1305 | Child Growth 1 | 2 |
ECCE听1306 | Field Study 2 | 1 |
ECCE听2301 | Creative Art | 2 |
ECCE听2302 | Exploring Learning Environments | 2 |
ECCE听2303 | Field Study 4 | 1 |
ECCE听2305 | Practicum 1 | 2.5 |
ECCE听2106 | Field Study 5 | 1 |
ECCE听2102 | Music and Movement | 2 |
听 | Credits | 13.5 |
Term Three | ||
ECCE听1104 | Child Growth 2 | 2 |
ECCE听1307 | The Learning Child | 2 |
ECCE听1308 | Field Study 3 | 1 |
ECCE听2308 | Language and Literature | 2 |
ECCE听2115 | Health, Safety and Nutrition | 2 |
ECCE听2306 | Practicum 2 | 2.5 |
ECCE听2304 | Integrated Program Planning | 1 |
ECCE听2307 | Practicum 3 | 4 |
听 | Credits | 16.5 |
Second Year | ||
Term Four | ||
ECCE听2313 | Advanced Child Growth and Development IT/SN | 2 |
ECCE听2314 | Advanced Field Study IT/SN | 1 |
ECCE听2235 | Infant Practicum | 4 |
ECCE听2315 | Advanced Health, Safety and Nutrition IT/SN | 2 |
听 | Credits | 9 |
Term Five | ||
ECCE听2320 | Professional Perspectives | 2 |
ECCE听2200 | Enhancing Family Relationships | 2 |
ECCE听2300 | Childcare Administration | 2 |
ECCE听2316 | Role of the Caregiver IT | 3 |
ECCE听2335 | Toddler Practicum | 4 |
听 | Credits | 13 |
Term Six | ||
ECCE听2317 | Role of the Caregiver SN | 3 |
ECCE听2230 | Special Needs Practicum 1 | 4 |
ECCE听2330 | Special Needs Practicum 2 | 4 |
听 | Credits | 11 |
听 | Total Credits | 76 |
* 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 *
Tuition deposits are payable usually within three weeks after a Letter of Offer is issued.
Tuition Deposit: 10500 (10000 non-refundable).
Tution deposits are payable usually within two (2) weeks after a Letter of Offer is issued.
Tuition Deposit |
10500 (10000 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 | 145 | |
Tuition Tuition | 46204 |
Breakdown
Tuition Breakdown
0 - 1
0 - 2
0 - 3
0 - 4
0 - 5
|
Student union | 409 | |
College initiative | 185 | |
Materials | 0 | not including textbooks |
Campus resource | 462 | |
Laundry | 0 | |
Tools (deposit) | 0 | |
Coverall (deposit) | 0 | |
Uniform (deposit) | 0 | |
421 | ||
Temporary Medical Insurance | 149 | |
U-PASS | 812 | |
Graduation | 40 | |
Program-specific extra fees | 0 | |
Total |
This is an international cohort program. As international cohorts are exclusively for international students, international fees apply throughout the duration of the program.
* 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 international students. For domestic programs, visit vcc.ca.
Any refunds are issued according to VCC's international refund policy.
Apply now
MONTH/TERM APPLICATION
OPEN DATE APPLICATION STATUS*
STATUS INFORMATION
- Apply Now: Qualified applicants may receive offers of admission if seats are available, or placed on waitlists if seats are full.
- Closed: Applications are not accepted.
- For details about application availability based on study permit status and recommendations if the application status is closed, visit the Availability Status page.
The Letters of Recommendation should be issued by someone who knows the student on a professional level as a student, volunteer or employee. For example, the letters may be written by:
- Instructors
- Supervisors from a volunteer activity
- Current or past employers
A signature, date of signing, and contact information must be included in the letters.
For more information and tips, see Apply page