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 signed vaccination waiver on file
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, providing physician’s waiver, 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 Program was reviewed and approved by the registrar of the Private Training Institutions Branch (PTIB) of the Ministry of Advanced Education, Skills & Training.
Students can expect to complete one to three hours of homework per day.
