Sprott Shaw College

Certificate Program

Total Program Hours:

1260 Hours

Full-Time Program Length:

45 Weeks

(Includes holidays and professional days)
Program content is subject to change.

Online and On-Campus Delivery Options may be available!

The ECE certificate program gives the student the skills and occupational competencies necessary in the industry today based upon the Ministry of Education and Child Care approved curriculum.

The ECE certificate program will develop a broad range of skills through the study and practice of certified courses in order to develop and lead daily age-appropriate activities for children aimed to help promote social, emotional, physical, cognitive and early literacy development.

Students learn to observe children and communicate professionally, when appropriate, children’s progress and/or needs with parents, other staff members and individuals involved with the child’s development.

This program includes practicum placement. This experience within a workplace enables Instructional staff to observe the student in a practice situation while providing the student with the opportunity to gain direct exposure to the chosen career field.

Sprott Shaw is a member of Early Childhood Educators of British Columbia (ECEBC).

Learning Objectives

Cultural, economic, and generational influences on development
Main categories and methods of observational recording
Current licensing and registration regulations, development of policies and procedures, floor plans, and childcare center design
Development of partnerships with parents, colleagues, and other service providers
Positive contemporary child guidance practices, causes and characteristics of inappropriate behaviour
Planning and implementing comprehensive program plans, focusing on social, emotional, cognitive, physical, language and cultural development
Activities to facilitate diversity and multi-cultural experiences and concepts to enhance curriculum
Creating a positive learning environment that includes fun and engaging music and movement activities, enhancing other learning such as language and language skills
The use of concepts and activities from LEAP BC 2010 Resource Booklet and recognizing movement categories and motor skills
Creativity and open-ended, process-oriented creative art activities and experiences
Verbal and non-verbal communication skills and techniques.
Design newsletters and communication tools for parents, children and staff
Signs and symptoms of common communicable childhood illnesses
Goal setting, note-taking, problem-solving, and teamwork
Interview techniques and creating an employment package

Grant and Scholarship Opportunities

Save on tuition with a variety of scholarship and grant options. Up to $4000 in scholarships and grants are available to recent high school graduates, Sprott Shaw alumni, military veterans, and more! Click here to browse our full list of grants and scholarships.

Success Stories

“The college instructors are so proactive and passionate not only in teaching and sharing information with students but also in helping and supporting each individual. If you are ready to move forward, you will not regret choosing to study at Sprott Shaw College.” – Brandon K.
“Do it. I am 57 years old and finally have my dream job.” – Shelly C.

University Transfer Program

This ECE certificate program is part of Sprott Shaw’s university transfer initiative for anyone looking to continue their education and pursue a bachelor’s degree.

Gaining professional skills and experience from our programs before moving on to complete a full degree is a great way to enjoy the focused, hands-on benefits that Sprott Shaw College offers.

This program qualifies for our University Pathway Programs with the institutions listed below. Click on the images for more details!

BCIT – Bachelor of Business Administration

BCIT transfer pathway option 1 visualization

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Career Opportunities

Before & After School Care

Cruise Ships and Resorts

Early Childhood Educator

Family Child Care

Foster Parenting

Group Child Care

Nanny

Preschools

Rec. Program Childminding

Recreational Programs

Strong Start Facilitator

Supported Child Dev

Young Parent Programs

Abbotsford College Campus

Chilliwack College Campus

Vancouver College Campus

International Office

Kamloops College Campus

Kelowna College Campus

Maple Ridge College Campus

Nanaimo College Campus

New Westminster College Campus

Osoyoos College Campus

Downtown Vancouver College Campus

Penticton College Campus

Richmond College Campus

Vancouver – Seymour College Campus

Surrey College Campus

Victoria – Main Campus

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.

Similar Programs

Early Childhood Education Assistant

Early Childhood Education Children with Exceptionalities

Early Childhood Education (Diploma)

Early Childhood Education Infant Toddler

Early Childhood Education Post-Basic Infant & Toddler

Early Childhood Education Post-Basic (Diploma)

Early Childhood Education – Montessori

* Early Childhood Education Basic was reviewed and approved by the Private Training Institutions Branch (PTIB) of the Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills.