The Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) Diploma program at Northern Lights College (NLC) provides opportunities to develop the knowledge and skills necessary to work in early care and learning programs in British Columbia (BC) supporting the care and education of children from birth through 12 years of age and their families. Educators use their specialized education to create and maintain inclusive and safe environments that encourage exploration for all children, while being responsive to children’s needs and interests. Working within diverse communities and programs, Educators use reflective and collaborative practices to support children’s understanding and engagement with the world.
The NLC ECEC Diploma program offers a variety of delivery methods including distance/online, on campus, and Work Integrated Learning (WIL), which enables students to remain in their home communities while integrating theoretical and practical experiences. The theory course work and practicum experiences prepares students to apply for BC Early Childhood Educator Registry certification (including Early Childhood Educator Assistant certification, Early Childhood Educator certification, Infant and Toddler Educator certification, and Special Needs Educator certification) at various points during the program.
Intakes online and for work integrated cohorts: Through the use of technology both synchronous live class via video conferencing webinar technology and asynchronous online learning platform delivery students may remain in their home communities to complete their coursework and practicum placements in early learning environments approved by NLC that provide opportunities to explore diverse experiences and philosophies. Students unable to locate suitable practica placements in their home community may need to relocate to another community for one or more of the practica.
Intake on campus: Face-to-face course offerings are available within the Northern Lights College region or other provincial regions depending on student enrollment or special- project funding. *International students are only able to be located at either Dawson Creek or Fort St. John campus. On Campus courses may be offered in other provincial regions depending on student enrollment or special-project funding.
Career Prospects
Early Childhood Educators with BC ECE Registry certification* may be employed as educators, supervisors, managers, directors, or administrators of early care and learning programs.
With additional relevant education (e.g., a Child and Youth Care Degree, Social Work Degree, or an Early Childhood Education graduate degree), Early Childhood Educators may find work as child development counsellors or consultants, family resource centre coordinators, child care resource and referral consultants/co-ordinators, licensing officers, researchers, or instructors.
*For up-to-date information on the BC ECE Registry requirements, please visit their website
Details
Intakes
| Campus | Starting | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Dawson Creek | Fall | Cohort |
| Fort St. John | Fall | Cohort |
| Fort Nelson | Fall | Cohort |
| Chetwynd | Fall | Cohort |
| Tumbler Ridge | Fall | Cohort |
| Online | Fall | Full-Time, Part-Time |
| Winter | Full-Time, Part-Time | |
| Spring | Full-Time, Part-Time | |
| WIL | Winter | Cohort |
Length
62 credits (1370 hours), minimum, including 16 academic/theory courses (720 hours) and 4 practicum courses (650 hours).
Typically, this is a two year program taken over four semesters with minimum of 15 credits per semester. Part-time studies will take longer.
The NLC ECEC Diploma program typically may be completed over a two-year period of full-time studies that may include Spring and Summer semesters/terms. Part-time study is also an option for distance/online and on campus study only. Work Integrated Learning is a full time study option only.
For both full- and part-time students, program completion time may vary depending on the availability of courses and on individual course selection.
Estimated Program Fees
Program fee type: Academic
Costs indicated are estimates for a full-time course load.
Book, instruments, supplies, uniforms/clothing and third-party fees are additional.
Domestic Fees
| Tuition | Student Fees | Instruction-related Fees (includes GST) | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $ 3,653.03 | $ 152.75 | $ 997.96 | $ 4,803.74 |
| Year 2 (estimated) | $ 3,896.56 | $ 155.20 | $ 997.96 | $ 5,049.72 |
International Fees
| Tuition | Student Fees | Instruction-related Fees (includes GST) | International Medical Insurance | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $ 11,580.00 | $ 149.76 | $ 978.39 | $ 828.00 |
| Year 2 (estimated) | $ 13,120.00 | $ 155.20 | $ 978.39 | $ 828.00 |
Still have questions?
Contact:
- info@nlc.bc.ca if you are in Canada
- info@international.nlc.bc.ca if you are outside of Canada
- ece-ea-chair@nlc.bc.ca if you are currently an NLC student
Admission Requirements
English Requirement
For applicants from countries that practice Standard Written English, one of the following:
- English Studies 12, or equivalent with a C grade or higher
- English First Peoples 12, or equivalent with a C grade or higher
- ENGL 050, or equivalent with a C grade or higher
- ENGL 099, or equivalent with a C grade or higher
- Any university-level English course with a C grade or higher
- NLC Writing Assessment with placement at the college level (100)
For all other applicants, one of the following:
- IELTS Academic scores of 6.0 or higher overall with no band less than 6.0
Dual credit students:
- May submit secondary school transcripts indicating successful completion of English 11 and proof of enrollment in an acceptable Grade-12-level English course with an interim grade of “C” or higher, but must complete Grade 12-level English prior to registration.
Additional Requirements
- Completed ECEC Entrance/Advising Questionnaire that supports suitability for the profession and course advising.
- Applicants to the Work Integrated Learning (WIL) cohorts must submit a completed Employer Agreement Form indicating a mentor Educator with an active basic 5 year ECE certification from the BC ECE Registry. (WIL applicants only).
- All applicants currently residing outside of Canada and intending to study in Canada, must submit a Police Certificate (see Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada) in English, for every country in which they have been a resident for the previous five years (not including Canada). The Police Certificate must be received before a Letter of Acceptance will be issued.
Post-Admission Requirements
- A clearance letter from the Ministry of Public Safety & Solicitor General, for a Schedule “B” Criminal Record Check (CRC),WORKS WITH Children or WORKS WITH Children and Vulnerable Adults must be received prior to registration.
- Students who have completed a valid Schedule B CRC for another organization may share their results with Northern Lights College by completing the Sharing Form.
- Note that CRCs must be renewed if they expire before the program is completed.
- Under no circumstances are students permitted to complete any practical work without having a CRC on file with NLC’s Office of the Registrar. Failure to ensure a valid CRC is on file with the Office of the Registrar may result in a requirement to withdraw from the program. Students are obligated to report any Schedule B criminal convictions that occur after they authorize a CRC but are still enrolled in NLC’s Early Childhood Education and Care Program.
- For information and regulations, see Criminal Records Checks.
Important Notes
- The program is currently under review regarding eligibility for Canada Student Loans. Visit StudentAid BC to apply for financial assistance online. Note that dual credit students are not eligible for Student Aid.
- Students are required to have a computer (laptop or other mobile device) with minimum computer requirements.
- Program graduates are eligible for direct admission into the Justice Institute of British Columbia’s Advanced Specialty Certificate in Community Care Licensing. Advanced standing is granted for HDEC 104 – Human Development II.
- This program is affiliated with the ECE Registry. This program is also affiliated with Collège Éducacentre (CE) for delivery to French-speaking students until Dec 31, 2024.
Program Requirements
| Residency Requirement | 25% (4 theory courses and 1 practicum course) of all courses must be completed at Northern Lights College |
|---|---|
| Minimum Grade Requirements | 2.00 Grade Point Average (GPA); minimum grade of C in all courses |
*Please note the following semester break down is based on a student beginning their program in the Fall semester. Students starting in other semesters should consult with the course catalogue in Borealis and with a Program Advisor when selecting courses.
Typical Year One
- HDEC 100 – Essential Skills for Human Service Workers (3.0 credits)
- HDEC 101 – Human Development I (3.0 credits)
- HDEC 102 – Health, Safety, and Nutrition (3.0 credits)
- HDEC 103 – Guiding and Caring (3.0 credits)
- ECED 109A – Practicum 1 (3.0 credits)
- ECED 101 – Principles and Practices 1 (3.0 credits)
- HDEC 121 – Interpersonal Communications (3.0 credits)
- ECEC 100 – Curriculum 1 (3.0 credits)
- HDEC 104 – Human Development II (3.0 credits)
- ECED 110 – Practicum 2 (3.0 credits)
Typical Year Two
- ECEC 201 – Building Professional Family Partnerships (3.0 credits)
- ECEC 202 – Administration and Leadership in Early Childhood Education (3.0 credits)
- ECEC 200 – Curriculum II (3.0 credits)
- ECED 150 – The Early Childhood Education Professional (3.0 credits)
- ECED 111 – Practicum 3 (4.0 credits)
- ECEC 203 – Current Perspectives on Practice (3.0 credits)
- ECED 203A – Development 3 Infants and Toddlers (3.0 credits)
- ECED 207 – Curriculum 3 Infants and Toddlers (3.0 credits)
- ECED 215 – Curriculum 4 Working with Children with Diverse Abilities (3.0 credits)
- And one of:
- ECED 208 – Practicum – Infant and Toddlers (4.0 credits)
- ECED 210 – Practicum – Diverse Abilities (4.0 credits)
Additional Notes
- Graduates from NLC’s Education Assistant Certificate program who enroll in NLC’s Early Childhood Education and Care Diploma program are granted credit for ECED 109A and ECED 150
- Students planning on transferring to further post-secondary programs are encouraged to complete ENGL 100 – Academic Writing in addition to the diploma requirements.
- Graduates from NLC’s Early Childhood Education and Care Diploma who want to obtain their final BC ECE Registry Post-Basic ECE certification can apply to the Human Services Professional Development (HSPD) Advanced Certificate program to take either the ECED 208 or ECED 210 practicum course (whichever is not taken during their Diploma). All theory courses are completed as part of the NLC ECEC Diploma program
Credential
Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care