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Early Childhood Education Infant Toddler Program

This ECE program includes toddler and infant childcare courses that give the student the skills and occupational competencies necessary in the industry today based upon the Ministry for Children and Family Development approved curriculum.

The diploma program provides the content of the Basic program (3-5 years) in addition to content specific to toddler and infant childcare which expands the age appropriateness training to birth (0- 3 years).

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 license from the Ministry of Education and Child Care.

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

Learning Objectives

At the end of this ECE toddler and infant childcare 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

Why Study Infant Childcare 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 
  • Practicum opportunities with recognized organizations across BC
  • 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, practicum fees, and much more 

Diploma Program

Total Program Hours:
1820 Hours
Full-Time Program Length:
65 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
Child Care Center Supervisor
Early Childhood Educator
Family Child Care
Group Child Care
Strong Start Facilitator
Supported Child Dev
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 (with a composite score of 42)
  • 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 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).
  • 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 (with a minimum score of 20/40 in language).

Prerequisites:
  • Parts I, and II (at the successful completion of Parts I and II the student will receive an ECE Basic Certificate) will be taken prior to III, IV and V

Note: No Diploma will be issued for this program without the successful completion of Part I and II.

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

An Early Childhood Education Basic Certificate from Sprott Shaw College is given upon successful completion of all ECE Basic courses in this program.

An Early Childhood Education Children with Exceptionalities Diploma from Sprott Shaw College is given upon successful completion of all courses in this 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
  • The 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, an application can be made for Assistant Status (EC100, EC110 or EC180)
Important Websites:
* Early Childhood Education Infant Toddler 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.

Contact an Admissions Advisor for More Information Today!

Contact Us Today!

Our advisors are happy to answer any questions.

Courses List

This 65 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 childcare 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

  • 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

  • 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

  • Computer basics/file management
  • Goal setting, note-taking, problem-solving, teamwork
  • Overview of policies & procedures
  • Demonstrate the ability to use MS Word and MS PowerPoint

  • 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:

  • This course will provide students with the knowledge, skills, tools, techniques, and strategies to help them to be confident learners.

  • 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

Contact an Admissions Advisor for More Information Today!

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Our advisors are happy to answer any questions.

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