Early Childhood Education Basic

Admission Requirements:

• Grade 12 / GED or mature student status (all transcripts must be “true certified copies” or originals).
• Applicants must successfully complete the admissions interview and entrance assessments with a minimum score of 20/40 in the English Assessment.
• For more information on English Language requirements and equivalencies please click here.

Domestic Students:

• Domestic students that can provide a Canadian transcript showing completion of English 11 or 12 (or equivalent) with a passing grade of ‘C’, will be exempt from having to write the English Entrance Assessment.

International Students:

• International students can meet the English requirement by completing or demonstrating one of the following four options:
• Sprott Shaw’s English Language Assessment, OR
• Minimum IELTS Score 5.5 overall or iBT TOEFL Score of 70 OR
• Equivalent Standardized External Assessment, OR
• Completion of an ESL program from one of SSC’s partnered ESL schools, OR
• International students that can provide a Canadian transcript (or evaluated credentials) showing completion of English 11 or 12 (or equivalent) with a passing grade of ‘C’, will be exempt from having to write the English Entrance Assessment.

Notes: Preference will be given to those who can provide letters of reference detailing volunteer or professional experience working with children indicating their suitability for working in the field of Early Childhood Education. Excellent communication skills (composition), signing a medical/criminal waiver, completing a health declaration form (or physician’s waiver), and submitting a criminal record check (must be Public Safety & Solicitor General: Schedule B). (All must be done no more than three months before the start date of the program).

• Provide evidence of full COVID-19 vaccination OR a signed vaccination waiver on file

Certificate Requirements:

• 70% average upon successful completion of all courses
• CPR, First Aid and FoodSafe will be completed during the program.

After successful completion of this certified and approved ECE Certificate Program, in order to register as an Early Childhood Educator in BC (five-year registration), you must apply to the ECE Registry for registration and provide the following:

• An official transcript issued by Sprott Shaw College of courses completed (photocopies not accepted).
• A letter of reference attesting to the applicant’s personal suitability to the field of Early Childhood Education and satisfactory completion of the required 500 hours of work experience, written by the supervising Early Childhood Educator with whom the applicant worked.
• Application can be made for a one-year certificate while obtaining 500 hours of work experience.
• After successful completion of one of the following courses, application can be made for Assistant Status (EC100, EC110 or EC180).
• A Post-Basic diploma from Sprott Shaw College is given upon successful completion of the following:
• Basic Early Childhood Education Certificate program.
• Post-Basic – Infant/Toddler Educator Certificate program.
• Post-Basic – Children with Exceptionalities Educator Certificate program.

Work Experience / Clinical Requirements:

• Please note certain facilities may require proof of a negative TB test. Without this documentation on the student file, it may limit practicum placement opportunities.

Additional Notes:

• 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 status.
• Successful completion of EC100 includes attendance of a minimum of 90 instructional/classroom hours to be eligible for this certificate.
• Child Care sites may require more current and/or additional CRC (for instance: RCMP) and/or other immunizations (to be done at student’s expense) prior to practicum and/or observing. Students are responsible for their
  own transportation. Practicum sites are subject to availablility.
• Practicum training may be conducted in shifts to accommodate placement facilities’ needs (such as 8-hour shifts). Necessary Ministry licensing requirements will be included in the curriculum and scheduled throughout the program.

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