Early Childhood Education Assistant

Early Childhood Education Assistant

Early Childhood Education Assistant
Certificate Program
Total Program Hours:
250 Hours
Full-Time Program Length:
10 Weeks
Delivery Methods:
  • In-Class Instruction
Includes holidays and professional days.
Program content is subject to change.

Program Overview

The Child Growth and Development course presents a comprehensive overview of the developmental changes that take place from conception to twelve years. Emphasis of the course will be on the individual needs of each child. It highlights current trends and issues in research, cultural influences, and examines variations in development.

The Guiding and Caring course presents a comprehensive overview of positive child guidance. The focus will be on child-rearing in today’s world, understanding children’s behaviour, and understanding the reasons for problem behaviours. It highlights guidelines for effective guidance, positive communication, and planning the prosocial environment and addressing persistent, unproductive patterns of behaviour. The course will also provide an in-depth study of diverse children and families, as well as logical and natural consequences.

The Health, Safety, and Nutrition course presents a comprehensive overview of three major topical areas: children’s health issues, safety concerns and management, and nutrition (basic and applied). It highlights current trends and issues in research and examines case studies in each area. The course will also provide students with an in-depth study of communicable illnesses (process and effective control), dental health, health assessment tools, fire safety, playground safety, seat belt safety, child abuse and neglect, nutritional guidelines, the four food groups, Canada Food Guide, menu planning, and food safety.

Career Opportunities

  • ECE Assistant
  • Child Care Assistant
  • Preschool Assistant

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of the program, students will be able to:

  • Demonstrate basic information of health, safety and proper nutrition for young children
  • Demonstrate knowledge of basic licensing regulations, safety and hygiene-related to childcare facilities
  • Demonstrate knowledge of basic child development
  • 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
  • Establish and maintain open and cooperative relationships with each child’s family
  • Establish and maintain a supportive and collaborative relationship with colleagues
  • Effectively learn how to resolve problems and conflicts

Why Study At Sprott Shaw? 

  • Lifetime access to dedicated Employment Services Specialists (ESS) who can help you with resume and cover letter writing, interview skills, and the overall job search after graduation 
  • Lifetime tuition-free access to course refreshers if you ever need to retrain and update your skills 
  • Multiple start dates so you can start your education when you want to without the wait 
  • Career and professional development success courses to help create a career development marketing plan, learn the cardinal rules of professionalism, and identify the target markets and employment resources in the counselling field 
  • Preparation and orientation courses to teach you how to find credible research, write papers, create proper citation formats including APA, and study effectively for exams 
  • All-inclusive program costs where what you see is what you pay. Our costs include registration fees, assessment fees, tuition, textbooks, supplies, course materials, uniforms, certificates, graduation fees, and much more 
  • Grant and scholarship opportunities are available to help you save on tuition. Up to $4000 in scholarships and grants are open to recent high school graduates, Sprott Shaw alumni, military veterans, and more! Click here to browse our full list of grants and scholarships.

Where Are Sprott Shaw Graduates Working? 

Our Early Childhood, Education, and Support graduates can be found working throughout the province. In addition to school districts across BC, our Early Childhood Education and Education Assistant graduates can be found working at daycares and preschools such as CEFA Early Learning and the Boys and Girls Club. 

Community Support Workers and Mental Health and Addiction workers can be found working in women’s shelters, mental health and addiction recovery facilities, homeless shelters, and more. 

Click below to learn more about where our graduates are currently working. Please note that these lists do not cover every single business that has hired a Sprott Shaw graduate, but they do provide a good representation of the sort of industries that Sprott Shaw graduates are working in. 


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Program Details

Admission Requirements:

Applicants must meet all of the pre-requisites listed below, meet their financial obligations to the college at registration, and acknowledge their understanding of SSC’s policies and procedures provided in the Student Handbook, prior to starting classes.

NOTE: Students are provided with a detailed list of books, e-resources, workshop/lab supplies, and lab/tool kits that are included in the program’s fees and will have the opportunity to opt in or out of purchasing from Sprott Shaw College or any other specific source any of these items at the time of registration.

*   Applicants must complete the admissions interview

Education Level (one of the following)

  • Grade 12 or equivalent (GED, Adult Basic Education) with evidence of a ‘true certified copy’ or original transcript
  • Mature student status (age 19 and one year out of high school)

 

LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY POLICY:

All programs at Sprott Shaw College (SSC) are conducted in English, making proficiency in the English language a requirement for enrollment.

The required proficiency can be demonstrated through 1) completion of secondary or post-secondary education where English is the language of instruction and is also one of the country’s official languages, or 2) An approved English Language Assessment, 3) For mature (≥ 19 years) students who are facing barriers and cannot access their educational records or provide sufficient evidence of secondary or post-secondary education.

SSC programs that have a higher English language level require additional years of secondary or post-secondary education where English is the language of instruction or where language proficiency is to be otherwise demonstrated, are identified within the relevant program outlines.

For all other SSC programs, English language proficiency is demonstrated by:

1. Education

a) Secondary Education

Evidence of Successful Full-time Secondary Education Completion*, where English is one of the principal languages of instruction:

i) Showing two (2) years, if all Grades completed are 10, 11, or 12, or

ii) Showing three (3) years if the successful Grades are 8, 9, 10, 11, or 12

iii) Showing validation of both language of instruction and credential level is provided by WES, ICES or IQAS.

OR

b) Post- Secondary Education

Evidence of 2 years of Fulltime Post-Secondary Education Completion*, where English is one of the principle languages of instruction. Language development courses (i.e. ELL courses) cannot be included in this calculation.

*This may be demonstrated by providing a high school transcript, completion of a BC Adult Graduation program, or providing validation of both language of instruction and credential level is provided by WES, ICES or IQAS.

Countries where English is the language of instruction:

American Samoa, Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, Botswana, British Virgin Islands, Canada, Cayman Islands, Dominica, Falkland Islands, Fiji, Gambia, Ghana, Gibraltar, Grenada, Guam, Guyana, Ireland, Jamaica, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Malta, Mauritius, Montserrat, New Zealand, Nigeria, Saint Helena, Saint Lucia, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, South Africa, Tanzania, Trinidad & Tobago, Turks and Caicos Islands, Uganda, United Kingdom, United States, United States Virgin Islands, Zambia, & Zimbabwe.

OR

2. Assessment

By achieving a recognized standardized language test/assessment.

Approved English language assessment options:

· IELTS. International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic: Minimum overall score of 5.5.

· TOEFL. Test of English as a Foreign Language IBT: Minimum overall score of 46

· CAEL. Canadian Academic English Language Assessment. Minimum overall score of 40

· CELPIP. Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program: Listening 6, Speaking 6, Reading 5 and Writing 5.

· DET. Duolingo English Test: Minimum overall score of 95

· PTE. Pearson Test of English Academic: Minimum overall score of 43

· Cambridge English Qualifications: Minimum overall score of 160 or “C”

· Cambridge Linguaskill: Minimum overall B2 level

· LANGUAGECERT Academic: Minimum overall B2 level

· MET. The Michigan English Test: Minimum overall B2 level

· iTEP Academic: Minimum overall score of 3.5

· EIKEN: Minimum placement of Grade Pre-1

OR

3. Accuplacer

For mature (≥ 19 years) students who are facing barriers and cannot access their educational records or provide sufficient evidence of secondary or post-secondary education.

Applicant must be 19 years or older at the start of the program and a Canadian citizen or permanent resident and provides attestation that they have completed at least three years of full-time secondary or post-secondary instruction in English in a country where English is one of the principal languages (please refer to Countries where English is the language of instruction).

Accuplacer English Assessment (Next Generation) and achieves the following minimum scores required:

· Reading: 230

· Writing: 230

· WritePlacer: 4

 

HEALTH REQUIREMENT (one of the following)

  • Student Health Declaration form
  • Physician’s waiver

 

Other Requirements:

  • Excellent communication skills (written composition)
  • Signed medical/criminal waiver
  • The Criminal Records Review Program (CRRP) screens people who work with children or vulnerable adults (students must complete no more than 3 months before the program start date).
  • Provide evidence of full COVID-19 vaccination OR a signed vaccination waiver on file.

 

Certificate  Requirements:

70% average upon successful completion of all courses.

Note that successful completion of any of the following courses – EC100, EC110, or EC180 individually or as part of a program will allow the student to apply for assistant certification. Successful completion of EC100 includes attendance of a minimum of 90 instructional/classroom hours to be eligible for this certificate.

Students can expect to complete 1 – 3 hours of homework per day

Contact Us Today!

Our advisors are happy to answer any questions.

Courses List

This 10 week Certificate program requires the student to complete the following courses.

  • The process of learning and maturation, child growth and development
  • Cultural, economic, and generational influences on development
  • Schedule B needed for child observations in child care centres
  • See EC100 course outline for details on applying for ECE Assistant Certificate

  • Positive contemporary child guidance practices
  • Understanding the causes and characteristics of inappropriate behaviour

  • Signs and symptoms of common childhood illnesses
  • Developing safe and secure environments for young children
  • Policies and procedures for licensing requirements for observing and reporting abuse and neglect
  • Snack and meal planning, and applying the Canada Food Guide in childcare settings

Career Opportunities

Before & After School Care
Child Care Center Supervisor
Early Childhood Educator
Family Child Care
Group Child Care
Nanny
Preschools
Strong Start Facilitator
* Early Childhood Education Assistant was reviewed and approved by the Private Training Institutions Regulatory Unit (PTIRU) of the Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills.
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