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Early Childhood Education (Diploma) Program

The Early Childhood Education (Diploma) 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 diploma program provides the content of the Basic Program in addition to Infant & Toddler development, and Children with Exceptionalities, involving working with children who require extra support in childcare settings.

Students in this 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.

Graduates are eligible to apply for an Early Childhood Educator Certificate from the Ministry of Education and Child Care.

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

At the end of this program the student will have developed a broad range of skills through the application and understanding of the following learning outcomes:

  • 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 the 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

  • early childhood education studdents in early childhood education classroom learning about young children and reading stories
  • early childhood education studdents in early childhood education classroom learning about young children and reading stories
  • early childhood education studdents in early childhood education classroom learning about young children and reading stories
  • early childhood education studdents in early childhood education classroom learning about young children and reading stories
  • early childhood education studdents in early childhood education classroom learning about young children and reading stories
  • early childhood education studdents in early childhood education classroom learning about young children and reading stories
  • early childhood education studdents in early childhood education classroom learning about young children and reading stories
  • early childhood education studdents in early childhood education classroom learning about young children and reading stories
  • early childhood education studdents in early childhood education classroom learning about young children and reading stories
  • early childhood education studdents in early childhood education classroom learning about young children and reading stories
  • early childhood education studdents in early childhood education classroom learning about young children and reading stories
  • early childhood education studdents in early childhood education classroom learning about young children and reading stories

Diploma Program

Total Program Hours:
2180 Hours
Full-Time Program Length:
77 Weeks
(Includes holidays and professional days)
Program content is subject to change.

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Our advisors are happy to answer any questions.

Career Opportunities

Before & After School Care
Cruiseships and Resorts
Family Child Care
Group Child Care
Nanny
Preschools
Rec. Program Childminding
Strong Start Facilitator
Admission Requirements:
  • Grade 12 / GED or mature student status
  • Applicants must successfully complete the admissions interview and may be required to do an entrance assessment
  • Applicants must provide evidence of full COVID-19 vaccination or have a completed SSC Health Declaration form on file
  • For more information on English Language requirements and equivalencies please click here

Note: English level assessment will be required for international students.

Diploma Requirements:
  • Necessary Ministry licensing requirements will be included in the curriculum and scheduled throughout the program
  • 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
  • You will also need to have an interview with an instructor/director. Excellent communication skills (composition), signing a medical/criminal waiver, completing a SSC Health Declaration form, submitting a criminal record check (must be Public Safety & Solicitor General: Schedule B), and clear testing for TB. (All must be done no more than three months before the start date of the program).

Note: English level assessment will be required for international students.

Note: Child Care sites may require more current and/or additional CRC (for instance: RCMP) TB testing 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 availability.
  • 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. Practicum training is conducted in shifts at placement facilities (eg. 8 hours per day) Parts I, II and III will be taken prior to IV, V and VI.
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.

Note: Child Care sites may require more current and/or additional CRC (for instance: RCMP) and TB testing (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 availability.

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.

Important Websites

https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/family-social-supports/caring-for-young-children/child-care
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/education-training/early-learning/support/strongstart-bc
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/education-training/early-learning

University Transfer Programs

Through our pathway programs, students can complete an Early Childhood Diploma in the first year at Sprott Shaw and pursue a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) degree at BCIT. Alternatively, students can also complete an Early Childhood Diploma in the first year at Sprott Shaw and pursue a Bachelor of Arts in Management at City University in Canada. Contact an advisor to learn more.

Learn more about our other Pathway Programs here.

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

Contact an Admissions Advisor for More Information Today!

Contact Us Today!

Our advisors are happy to answer any questions.

Courses List

This 77 week Diploma 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

Observing and Recording

  • Main categories and methods of observational recording

  • Current licensing & registration regulations
  • Developing policies & procedures, floor plans, and center design
  • Developing partnerships with parents, colleagues, and other service providers

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

  • Plan and implement comprehensive program plans
  • Focus on social, emotional, cognitive, physical, communicative, and cultural development

  • Benefits of an investigative, natural science program
  • Developmentally appropriate activities
  • Ways to maintain curiosity and exploration

  • Activities to facilitate diversity and multicultural experiences
  • Concepts to enhance the curriculum
  • Benefits which include early math and numeracy

  • Create a positive learning environment
  • Fun, engaging music and movement activities
  • Enhance other learning such as language and listening skills

  • Plan, implement and evaluate developmentally appropriate programs that meets the observed needs of children
  • Plan programs that reflect and respect diversity
  • Understand the relationship between the environment and
    the development of children's behaviour

  • Understanding of creativity
  • Special needs / cultural diversity
  • Workshop experiences

  • Basic language arts
  • Literacy goals for three- to five-year-olds
  • Plan/implement activities for young children

  • Verbal and non-verbal communication techniques
  • Design newsletters and communication tools for parents, children and staff
  • Recognize and respond appropriately to a wide range of individual communication style

  • Demonstrate professional communication skills which are mutually supportive of co-workers, families and communities
  • Apply knowledge of and respect for cultural, socioeconomic and family diversity
  • Demonstrate professional growth, attitude and conduct, including adherence to the Code of Ethics and ability to advocate
  • CPR & First Aid (1 day) and FoodSafe

  • 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

  • Skills and strategies conducive to learning in a college atmosphere, orientation to the college environment, using technology, knowing college policies and procedures.
  • Time management, writing and using citations, study strategies, student budgeting, and wellness/self-care/stress management.
  • An orientation to the PCP program and the emergency medicine professions.
  • Prepare for upcoming studies, learning environments, and work experience placements throughout the program.

  • 3-week practicum - Includes Touch Back Lab
  • Practice physical and emotional 'caring' skills
  • Observe guidance techniques and display knowledge of appropriate skills
  • Implement planned activities for individuals and small groups

  • 3-week practicum - Includes Touch Back Lab
  • Attend to personal care needs of children
  • Practice guiding skills
  • Plan, implement, and evaluate activities for small groups

  • 4-week practicum- Includes Touch Back Lab
  • Extend knowledge, skills, and attitude
  • Observing and assessing
  • Guidance
  • Language and creative development
  • Working in a team, and professional behaviour

Strategies for Student Success:

  • Interview techniques
  • Create a Career Development Marketing Plan
  • Apply aspects of professionalism
  • Identify target markets and employment resources

  • Creating and maintaining a safe and healthy environment for infants/toddlers as well as children who require additional supports

  • Review of comprehensive knowledge of the range of historic and current theoretical approaches to child growth and development

  • A comprehensive overview of the competent development, implementation and maintenance of all policies and procedures for the administration, funding, government policy and advocacy areas of managing childcare settings and services

  • A thorough presentation of the importance of parent, school, and community collaboration and increased knowledge of and respect for cultural, socioeconomic and family diversity

  • Planning, implementing and evaluating developmentally appropriate programs and routines
  • Caregiving and educating: philosophy and practise, observing infants, toddlers and two-year-olds
  • Explaining behaviour and understanding the growth and development of infants and toddlers

  • Planning, implementing and evaluating developmentally appropriate programs and routines
  • Caregiving and educating: philosophy and practise, observing infants, toddlers and two-year-olds
  • Explaining behaviour and understanding growth and development of infants and toddlers

  • 4-week practicum (includes Touch Back Lab)
  • Observe, monitor and record each child's developmental progress
  • Create and maintain a safe and healthy environment
  • Plan and implement developmentally appropriate programs and activities
  • Practise physical and emotional ‘caring’ skills

  • The study of exceptionality (special education and supported childcare)
  • Neurological disabilities, special health care needs, severe and multiple Disabilities, pervasive disorders and visual and hearing impairments
  • Plan accessible, inclusive indoor and outdoor play environments
  • Develop positive approaches for guiding, caring and interacting with children with challenging behaviours

  • The study of exceptionality (special education and supported childcare)
  • Neurological disabilities, special health care needs, severe and multiple disabilities, pervasive disorders and visual and hearing impairments
  • Plan accessible, inclusive indoor and outdoor play environments
  • Develop positive approaches for guiding, caring and interacting with children with challenging behaviours

  • 4-week practicum (includes Touch Back Lab)
  • Observe, monitor and record each child's developmental progress
  • Create and maintain a safe and healthy environment
  • Plan and implement developmentally appropriate programs and activities for children who require additional supports
  • Promote and understand inclusion
  • Use specialized equipment, adaptations and materials as needed and/or prescribed

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Our advisors are happy to answer any questions.

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