Program Details
Description:
The Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) program at Northern Lights College (NLC) provides opportunities to develop the knowledge and skills necessary to work with young children and their families in the wide diversity of early learning settings in British Columbia. Students explore and develop skills through courses and practica designed to integrate academic and practical experiences. This program may be completed on a part or full-time basis. Students may complete the program within their own community through the use of technology.
Certification: Early Childhood Education and Care Diploma
Program Contact: Kathy Handley
Dean: Steve Roe
Admission Prerequisites:
All applicants will need to complete and submit:
1. Northern Lights College application specifying entrance to the ECEC Diploma program and applicable application fee
2. Completed Program Questionnaire
3. A comprehensive letter stating your background, interest, and goals for taking the Early Childhood Education Diploma Program
4. Two current letters of reference (must be written and dated within the last year), attesting to the applicant's personal suitability for working with young children
5. A current certificate of good health from your doctor (form included in application package on website)
6. Successful completion of grade 12 English or BC English 12 First Peoples with a grade of C (60%) or better OR
A total language score of grade 12 or higher on the Canadian Adult Achievement Test (CAAT)
7. Official Transcripts from all previous post secondary institutions attended.
*Official transcripts are sealed by the sending institute. They must be received by the Human Development, Education and Care (HDEC) Department in unopened (sealed) condition.
Secondary School Dual Credit Students will additionally need to submit:
a) Copy of dual credit application completed at local secondary school
b) Documented evidence of successful grade 11 completion
Note: A Criminal Record Check is not a program admission requirement, but students will be required to authorize a Solicitor General's Criminal Record Check (SG/CRC) before participating in any practica involving children.
CRC Consent Form
CRC Credit Card form
Under no circumstances will a student be permitted to begin workplace practica with children until a SG/CRC has been received and reviewed by NLC. Convictions for certain offences may disqualify students from participating in practica and, therefore, from course/program completion. Students will be provided with more information about the SG/CRC process at program orientations.SG/CRC searches can take from 3 to 6 weeks for completion, so students are urged to attend to this matter at least 6 weeks before the program start date. Further, students are obligated to report any Schedule B criminal convictions that occur after they authorize an SG/CRC but are still enrolled in the Early Childhood Education and Care Program. Failure to do so may result in immediate dismissal from the program.
Program Length: 720 theory course hours + 855 practica hours = 1575 total hours, Part-time - Varied
Program Intake: (start/finish dates) September, January, April.
The duration of study for the diploma program, will vary in length due to course offerings schedules and student course selection, but may be completed in 4 semesters of full time studies/64 credits.
*Students may exit the program after the 3rd semester and apply for their BC Early Childhood License to Practice. Students are advised to review academic planning information in the HDEC Student Handbook or contact the department to obtain program planning advice.
Available Seats: Based on capacity
Application Deadline: May 1 for Fall (September) Admission; October 1 for Winter (January) Admission; and February 1 for Spring (April) Admission
Career Prospects: Early Childhood Educator in a licensed group childcare centre or preschool, Program Supervisor, Assistant Director of an preschool or school age centre, Director of a preschool or school age centre, Nursery School Director, Family Child Care Provider, Child Development Counsellor, Family Resource Centre Coordinator, Child Care Co-ordinator, ECE Researcher, Strong Start Facilitator, Daycare programs, Young Parent Programs, Drop in Programs, Home Visit Programs, Provincial Licensing Officer, Holiday Destination Children's Program worker, Child Advocate, Nanny, Respite Provider.
Graduates of the program will be eligible to apply to the Registry for a license to practice as a Special Needs Educator and an Infant/ Toddler Educator. For up to date information on licensing requirements, including 500 hours of work experience, please visit www.mcf.gov.bc.ca/childcare/ece/index.htm.
Affiliations/Partnerships: N/A
Location: Distributed delivery - the entire program is completed through distance education using a blended model including online and teleconference modes of delivery.
Students complete practica within their own communities provided the options exist for acceptable placements. Students unable to locate suitable practicum placements in their own community, may need to relocate to another community for one or more of the practica.
Face-to-face offerings are available within the Northern Lights College Region (contingent on student enrollment or special project offering).
Additional Requirements/Supplies: (fees, supplies, materials)
- Instruction Related Fees - covering technology assistance
- Textbooks: Costs vary
- Publishing Royalties (readings): Costs vary
- ECEC students must obtain a Criminal Record Check (CRC) through the Criminal Records Review program at the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General, Provincial Government. Students must provide any ECE setting they will be visiting, or participating in, with a copy of their Criminal Record Check clearance (Schedule F - 12 month Short Term Registry category). For more information about costs for CRC's visit the website be http://www.pssg.gov.bc.ca/criminal-records-review/ RCMP Criminal record checks are no longer used for ECE settings.
Eligibility for Canada Student Loans: Yes
Visit StudentAid BC to apply for financial assistance online.
Required Minimum Grade: 60% or a 'C' within each course
Residency Requirement: (percentage of courses which must be taken at NLC) 25%
View the Early Childhood Education and Care Admissions Page
Courses:
Term 1
Term 2
Term 3
Term 4
**ENGL 100 - 3 credits - Academic Writing*** recommended for students wishing to ladder into further degree programs of Early Childhood Education.
Students are required to check course pre-requisites or co-requisites.
Students may exit after successful completion of ECED 111 (Practicum 3) and apply to the British Columbia Early Childhood Education Registry for a License to Practice.