Course Delivery: Combined delivery (online, instructor-led sessions and in-person classes every other Saturday)
Duration: 29 weeks, including 12 weeks of practicum
Start: January, March & August
Wages: $28-$32/hour (includes a $6/hour government wage enhancement)
Recognized By: Early Childhood Educator Registry
Student Diversity:
Stenberg supports diversity in our student population, and we hold one seat per program for a self-identified Indigenous applicant who meets admission requirements. If the seat remains unfilled at 12 weeks prior to the program start, the seat will be released and offered to other qualified applicants.

About the Career

Early Childhood Educators (ECE) teach children during their formative years, from birth to age five. They develop and implement educational programs that stimulate children’s intellectual, physical, social and emotional growth. 

Our Post-Basic Infant Toddler and Special Needs Early Childhood Educator diploma allows those who have already taken an Early Childhood Education Basic certificate to advance their career and education. It prepares graduates to work with infants, toddlers, and children with special needs. 

There has been an increased need for teachers trained to support infants, toddlers, and children with special needs over the past 5 years. The B.C. Early Childhood Education Registry is encouraging Basic ECE teachers to continue their training and become Post-Basic educators to help fill this need.

Graduates from the Post-Basic Infant Toddler and Special Needs Early Childhood Educator diploma are qualified for employment in:

  • Childcare facilities caring for infants and toddlers (up to three years old)
  • Programs with children who have special needs or require extra support, from infancy to school age 

Post-Basic Infant Toddler and Special Needs Early Childhood Educator graduates are also prepared to handle a wider range of administrative and supervisory responsibilities.

Early childhood education post basic
More coming soon.

About the Program

Our Post-Basic Infant Toddler and Special Needs Early Childhood Educator diploma is 29 weeks and includes 12 weeks of practicum experience. You will gain the skills to support infants and toddlers (children from infancy to three years of age), and children with special needs. It will also prepare you for a broader range of administrative responsibilities, including working in a supervisory capacity as a manager, consultant, or daycare owner.

Neuroscience research states that early brain development, particularly from birth to five years, establishes the foundation for all the cognitive learning, health and social relationships that will follow a child in their life. This program introduces you to relevant and related research and science, so that you can best support children during this time. By the end of the program, you will better understand the growth and development patterns of infants and toddlers, and be able to identify typical and atypical patterns of development. This ability will be essential in your role as an infant, toddler, and special needs educator.

This program is offered in a combined delivery format. This flexible delivery format is designed for individuals who may be balancing other responsibilities, such as work and/or family. If you are currently working as an Early Childhood Education and your facility cares for infants, toddlers, and children with special needs, you may be able to complete your practicum at your place of work.

This program is recognized by the B.C. Ministry of Children and Family Development’s ECE Registry.

Admission Requirements

Pre-requisites:

  • Successful completion of an Early Childhood Education Basic (Certificate) level program
  • Acceptable Criminal Record Review with Vulnerable Sector Check by the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General

Program Courses

Student Support

  • Academic tutoring
  • Assessment and skill development support
  • Open study skills tutorials
  • Typing practice support
  • One-on-one student support coaching sessions
  • English language learning support
  • Online learning resources
  • Online academic journals and databases
  • Campus life events

Post-Graduation Pathways

Articulation Agreement with BCIT

This program has an articulation agreement with BCIT. Graduates of our Early Childhood Education program are eligible to apply for  BCIT’s Advanced Diploma in Business Management.

Upon completion of Stenberg’s Early Childhood Education program, with an additional 1 year full time at BCIT, you can acquire an Advanced Diploma in one of Canada’s largest business schools, obtaining skills and experiences that will prepare you for the next step in your career.

Articulation - Direct Pathway (Post-Graduation)

Stenberg Early Childhood Education program

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58 Weeks

BCIT Advanced Diploma In Business Management

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1 Year Full-Time

BCIT Bachelor of Business Administration Degree

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1 Year Full-Time

After completing BCIT’s Business Management Advanced Diploma, students have the option to enroll in BCIT’s Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA), earning a degree that emphasizes critical and strategic thinking.

Learn more about the Stenberg-BCIT Pathway.

Our Faculty

Free Children’s Book

A Stenberg College Publication

Little Sonia does not know what to be when she grows up! What will she do? Join us as Sonia thinks about all the grown-ups she knows and tries to imagine herself in their careers. Will she become a Practical Nurse like Auntie Nelly? A Preschool Teacher like Mrs. Neetu? I guess we’ll have to wait and see!

Please click below to download “What Will I Do?” in your preferred format:

Download the PDF
Download for Apple using the Books app
Download the PDF in Spanish

Watch the video below for an animation of “What Will I Do?”, and to hear the story read to you!

Accreditation and Recognition

Stenberg College is designated by the BC government’s Ministry of Advanced Education through the Private Training Institutions Branch (PTIB). PTIB is responsible for setting standards of quality and ensuring consumer protection. Stenberg College has also received the BC government’s Education Quality Assurance (EQA) designation, which is BC’s brand or “seal” of quality post-secondary education for public and private institutions. This program is also approved by the Registrar. 

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