Early Childhood Education
Courses
The Early Childhood Education Diploma program is grounded in the BC Early Learning Framework and emphasizes inclusive, culturally responsive practice, pedagogical documentation, and emergent play- based curriculum. Students learn Indigenous ways of knowing, support inclusive and equitable learning environments, and build strong, ethical partnerships with families. Graduates of the ECE Diploma program meet Ministry of Education and Childcare requirements to become certified Early Childhood Educators, Infant Toddler Educators, and Special Needs Educators in British Columbia.
Current
Program option notes (Effective Spring Semester 2027)
Students must complete all courses in the program with a minimum "C-" grade. Exception: Students are permitted to meet graduation requirements if they have a "D" grade in one, and no more than one, of the PSYC courses.
Students complete the ECE Certificate curriculum requirements in the first year of the program and then complete the Infant Toddler and Special Education curriculum requirements in the second year of study.
Program option notes (Current)
Students who have successfully completed all the required Diploma in Early Childhood Education courses, and who wish to qualify for an Infant-Toddler Licence from BC's Early Childhood Education Registry, will also need to complete ECED 1329 - Infant and Toddler Practicum 1.
Entrance to Term Two depends on completion of all courses in Term One with a minimum "C-" grade. Similarly, entrance to Term Three depends on completion of all Term Two courses with a minimum "C-" grade unless department approval is given.
Students must complete all courses in the diploma program with a minimum "C-" grade. Exception: Students may be permitted to meet graduation requirements if they have a "D" grade in one, and no more than one, of the program support courses, i.e., CMNS, ENGL, or PSYC.
Term One serves as an introduction and overview of the field and an orientation to preschool and child care programs. Term Two focuses on program planning with an emphasis on activities and learning experiences in various curriculum areas. In Term Three, students are encouraged to put all the elements together, to organize and evaluate learning experiences, and to integrate the curriculum across all areas of programming.
Practical experience in the field in each term supports the particular learning objectives for that period, and the amount of time spent in the field increases with each term.
