Early Childhood Education Post-Basic (Diploma)

Applicants must meet all of the pre-requisites listed below, and meet their financial obligations to the college at registration, and acknowledge their understanding of SSC’s policies and procedures provided in the Student Handbook, prior to starting classes.

NOTE: Students are provided with a detailed list of books, e-resources, workshop/lab supplies, and lab/tool kits that are included in the program’s fees and will have the opportunity to opt in or out of purchasing from Sprott Shaw College or any other specific source any of these items at the time of registration.

• Successful Completion of a Basic ECE Program Recognized by the BC ECE Registry, with transcripts obtained, in accordance with the Section 26b of BC Child Care Licensing Regulation
• Applicants must successfully complete the admissions interview

EDUCATION LEVEL (one of the following)

• Grade 12 or equivalent (GED, Adult Basic Education) with evidence of a ‘true certified copy’ or original transcript
• Mature student status (age 19 and one year out of high school)

LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY REQUIREMENTS

Successful Completion of a Basic ECE Program Recognized by the BC ECE Registry, with transcripts obtained, in accordance with the Section 26b of BC Child Care Licensing Regulation

OR

Applicants who cannot provide evidence of the above must meet the following language proficiency requirement:

1. EDUCATION

a) Secondary Education

Evidence of Successful Fulltime Secondary Education Completion*, where English is one of the principal languages of instruction:

1. i) Showing two (2) years, if all Grades successfully completed are 10, 11, or 12, or
2. ii) Showing three (3) years if the successful Grades are 8, 9, 10, 11, or 12
3. iii) Showing validation of both language of instruction and credential level is provided by WES, ICES or IQAS.

OR

b) Post- Secondary Education

Evidence of 2 years of full-time post-secondary education*, where English is one of the principal languages of instruction. Language development courses (i.e. ELL courses) cannot be included in this calculation.

* This may be demonstrated by providing a high school transcript, completion of a BC Adult Graduation program or providing validation of both language of instruction and credential level is provided by WES, ICES or IQAS.

Countries where English is the language of instruction American Samoa, Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, Botswana, British Virgin Islands, Canada, Cayman Islands, Dominica, Falkland Islands, Fiji, Gambia, Ghana, Gibraltar, Grenada, Guam, Guyana, Ireland, Jamaica, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Malta, Mauritius, Montserrat, New Zealand, Nigeria, Saint Helena, Saint Lucia, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, South Africa, Tanzania, Trinidad & Tobago, Turks and Caicos Islands, Uganda, United Kingdom, United States, United States Virgin Islands, Zambia, & Zimbabwe

OR

2. ASSESSMENT

By achieving a recognized standardized language test/assessment. The approved English language assessment options:
* IELTS. International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic: Minimum overall score of 5.5.
* TOEFL. Test of English as a Foreign Language IBT: Minimum overall score of 46
* CAEL. Canadian Academic English Language Assessment. Minimum overall score of 40
* CELPIP. Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program: Listening 6, Speaking 6, Reading 5, and Writing 5.
* DET. Duolingo English Test: Minimum overall score of 95
* PTE. Pearson Test of English Academic: Minimum overall score of 43
* Cambridge English Qualifications: Minimum overall score of 160 or “C”
* Cambridge Linguaskill: Minimum overall B2 level
* LANGUAGECERT Academic: Minimum overall B2 level
* MET. The Michigan English Test: Minimum overall B2 level
* iTEP Academic: Minimum overall score of 3.5
* EIKEN: Minimum placement of Grade Pre-1

OR

3. ACCUPLACER

For mature candidates who are facing barriers and cannot access their educational records or provide sufficient evidence of secondary or post-secondary education. Accuplacer English
Assessment (Next Generation), required minimum scores:
* Reading: 230
* Writing: 230
* WritePlacer: 4

Candidate must be 19 years or older at the start of the program and a Canadian citizen or permanent resident. In addition to achieving the aforementioned Accuplacer scores, candidate is required to provide attestation affirming completion of at least three years of full-time secondary or post-secondary English instruction in a country where English is one of the principal languages (please refer to Countries where English is the language of instruction).

HEALTH REQUIREMENT (one of the following)

• Student Health Declaration form
• Physician’s waiver

OTHER REQUIREMENTS (less than 3 months prior to starting classes)

• Excellent communication skills (written composition)
• Signed medical/criminal waiver
• The Criminal Records Review Program (CRRP) screens people who work with children or vulnerable adults, (students must complete no more than 3 months prior to program start date).
• Provide evidence of full COVID-19 vaccination OR a signed vaccination waiver on file.

Practice Education Requirement

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.

Diploma Requirements

70% average upon successful completion of all courses, including courses given a complete.

Before a Certificate to Practice is issued in a Post-Basic specialty, an applicant must first be certified as an Early Childhood Educator in British Columbia with the ECE Registry. An Early Childhood Educator wishing to receive a certificate in either Infant/Toddler Post-Basic Education and/or Children with Exceptionalities Post-Basic Education should submit a current application form to the ECE Registry with the Ministry of Education and Child Care and include an official transcript of the relevant courses successfully completed, issued by Sprott Shaw College (photocopies not accepted).

Upon the completion of the Post-Basic Diploma Program, the graduates qualify to apply for the following certifications to practice from the ECE Registry:
* Infant Toddler Educator
* Special Needs Educator

Note: 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. All three practicum sites are subject to availability. A minimum of two different practicum locations is required.
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.