Early Childhood Educator / Preschool Teacher
In-class or Online
Start: January, April & September
46 weeks, including 8 weeks of practicum
$24-$30+ per hour (includes a $6/hour government wage enhancement)
Early Childhood Educator Registry
About the Career
Early Childhood Educators (ECE) teach children during their formative years, from three to five years old. They develop and implement educational programs that stimulate children's intellectual, physical, social and emotional growth.
There is an overwhelming demand for qualified Early Childhood Educators in Canada. 90% of our ECE graduates are employed in the field within six months of program completion, and many are hired directly out of practicum.
Scholarships
Get up to $9,000 to become an ECE. Conditions apply.
Government-Funded Bursary
Up to $5,000 government-funded Early Childhood Education student bursary.*
Tuition Discount
$4,000 Tuition Discount for the upcoming start.*
*Conditions apply.
Potential Employers
Early Childhood Educators teach children during their formative years, from three to five years old. They develop and implement educational programs that stimulate children's intellectual, physical, social and emotional growth.
Profit or non-profit childcare centres
Parent participation preschools
Private nursery schools
Kindergartens
Inclusive childcare preschools
Before and after school care centres
Group daycares
Family daycares
About the Program
To become a Certified Early Childhood Educator in B.C., you are required to complete a training program from an approved educational institution, such as Stenberg College. Graduates of our ECE Basic certificate program will be registered with the B.C. Ministry of Children and Family Development's ECE Registry.
Our ECE Basic certificate is 46 weeks and includes eight weeks of practicum experience. Graduates are prepared to support the learning and development of children between the ages of three and five.
After only two months in the program, you will receive your ECE Assistant License and be able to work part-time as an ECE Assistant. A requirement to work as an Early Childhood Education Assistant in a licensed childcare facility in BC is to be certified by the Early Childhood Educator (ECE) Registry. Stenberg College's ECE Basic Program students can request a transcript upon completing the Early Childhood Education Assistant courses offered within our ECE Registry-recognized ECE Basic Program and apply for certification through the ECE Registry's equivalency process.
Note: Stenberg College does not have a stand-alone recognized Early Childhood Education Assistant program with the ECE Registry or PTIRU. However, we offer a fully recognized ECE Basic Certificate Program, an ECE Post-Basic Infant Toddler Early Childhood Educator Program, an ECE Post-Basic Inclusive Education Early Childhood Educator Program, and a Combined Post-Basic Infant Toddler and Inclusive Education Early Childhood Educator program.
Related Programs
Post-Graduation Pathways
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
46 Weeks
→BCIT Advanced Diploma in Business Management
1 Year Full-Time
→BCIT Bachelor of Business Administration
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.
Accreditation and Recognition
Stenberg College is designated by the BC government's Ministry of Advanced Education through the Private Training Institutions Regulatory Unit (PTIRU). This program is approved by the PTIRU of the Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills. PTIRU 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.
Admission Requirements
- Completion of grade 12 or mature student status
- Grade 11-level English course or higher, or one of the following: Acceptable score in one of the approved LPR tests as noted above. Accuplacer: Reading 230, Writing 230 and WritePlacer 4 CLBPT: No component less than 6 English challenge exam (minimum 70%)
- Successful completion of the online Computer Skills Entrance Test (minimum 70%)
- Completion of Stenberg College entrance informational interview
- Completion of a Criminal Record Consent Form under the Criminal Record Review Act
- 1) Evidence of completion of 3 years of full-time Secondary if Grades 8-12, or 2 years of Secondary if Grades 10-12, or 2 years of Post-Secondary education in English in a country where English is one of the principal languages. (Language courses cannot be included in this calculation)
- OR 2) Submit the results of one of the accepted English language proficiency tests at the score level specific to the program as listed in the admission requirements as follows:IELTS Academic – Overall band score of 6.0 with no component less than 5.5Duolingo – Overall score of 105 with no component less than 85CELPIP – Overall score of 7 with no component less than 6TOEFL – Minimum overall score of 68CAEL – Minimum overall score of 50Pearson PTE Academic - Minimum overall score of 50
- OR 3) Mature students that are 19 years of age or older at the start of the program and a Canadian citizen or permanent resident who cannot access their educational records or provide sufficient evidence of secondary or post-secondary education as outlined above can:a. Complete an English Language Attestation to confirm completion of 3 years of full-time instruction in English in a country where English is one of the principal languages, AND b. Complete an Accuplacer Next Generation English Assessment with minimum scores of: Reading 230, Writing 230 and WritePlacer 4
Evidence may be demonstrated by providing a high school transcript, completion of a provincial Adult Graduation program, permanent student record, GED, or by providing international education credentials confirming medium of instruction in English as recognized through WES, ICES, or IQAS. Alternatively, where 2 years of post-secondary education are being determined based on credits, it is expected that the student has taken studies with a minimum of 18 credits per academic year and/or indicates completion of a minimum of 36 credits in total. For regulated programs, language proficiency requirements, including permitted tests and scores dictated by the regulatory body, will supersede all else. A transcript can be used as evidence of meeting requirement option 1. Those educated in BC may access transcripts using their Personal Education Number (PEN). For those unable to obtain transcripts, an English Language Declaration form can be completed to validate meeting the requirement.
International Students
ECE is offered in-class for international students in the following format:
- Early Childhood Educator Basic Certificate with Co-op: 69 weeks (including a 16 week schedule break)
Important Program Information
Please note that this program is not eligible for the post-graduate work permit program.
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.
Program Courses
Orientation and Student Success Skills
This course will provide an orientation to Stenberg College and the Early Childhood Education program. This course will prepare you to be a successful college student. You will identify your learning style, critical thinking, and learn about the available resources. You will learn effective reading, writing, and study habits. You will learn what is expected of a college student, like communication, accountability/responsibility, teamwork, self-awareness, and following policies.
Early Childhood Education Foundations
This course will provide you with an understanding of the current approaches to childcare and childcare regulations in BC by looking at historical influences from past educators and socially influencing factors, societal issues, and contemporary trends.
Child Growth & Development I
This course will provide you with an introduction to the development of children. Special emphasis will be placed on the study of children in the early years. Major theories in the field of Child Growth and Development will be studied in relation to a young child's overall development.
Child Growth & Development II
This course will continue the study of children's growth and development with a focus on the development of children's social, emotional, personality and sexual development. The process of development in children from early childhood to adolescence will be examined and emphasis will be on the development of the whole child.
Emerging Curriculum
This course develops skills in objectively observing and recording the behavior and growth and development of young children. Different kinds of observational techniques are explored. Weekly observations at a licensed childcare facility are a major part of this course.
Observation & Recording
This course will develop your skill in objectively observing and recording the behaviour of young children. Different kinds of observational techniques will be explored, and weekly observations will contribute to a major part of this course.
Health, Safety, and Nutrition
This course will focus on aspects of health, safety and nutrition related to the early childhood setting. Issues include creating and maintaining policies to ensure a safe and healthy environment for children, child abuse, hygiene, emergency procedures, assessing, managing and reporting childhood illnesses and injuries, dental care, universal precautions, nutrition, meal planning, and knowledge of licensing procedures for childcare requirements.
Guidance & Caring
The focus of this course is on the role of the adult in guidance, discipline and behaviour management. It highlights theories, models and skills related to promoting healthy emotional and social development at both the individual and group level.
Language and Literature
This is one of four development courses that will allow for you to acquire knowledge in the areas of Language and Literacy. You will learn about all the different aspects of language and literacy through different media such as storybooks, puppet shows, etc. and become familiar with presentation techniques. You will also discuss the importance of acquisition of language in the early pre-verbal years.
Music & Movement
This course will allow for the student to acquire the knowledge, experience and skills necessary to implement music and movement into a childcare centre and an emerging curriculum.
Science, Socials and Math
This course will allow you to acquire the knowledge, experience and skill in planning science, socials and math curriculum. Students will also learn how to implement and evaluate different learning environments for children.
Creative Art
This program development course will allow for you to acquire the knowledge, experience and skill in creating emergent art activities and projects. You will also learn how to implement and evaluate different art mediums and learning environments for children.
Family-Teacher Relations
This course will focus on aspects of parent/teacher and community relations in an early childhood setting. Topics include: the role of the parent in an early childhood setting, the importance of parent education, making reports to parents, understanding the needs of families with atypical or mainstream children, the provincial regulation regarding licensing and certification, and developing a knowledge of community resources that would be useful in an early childhood environment.
Practicum Seminar
This course will allow for you to prepare for practicum and understand the planning necessary for a successful practicum. You will also familiarize yourself with your practicum expectations and paperwork for both first and second practicum.
Practicum 1 & 2
The purpose of the Consolidated Practicum Experience is to provide you with the opportunity to develop the skills necessary to work with young children. You will demonstrate your competency by applying appropriate and suitable affective qualities associated with effective early childhood education, as well as by applying developmentally appropriate childcare guidance and curriculum planning. NOTE: During each block practicum period, you will be on-site in a licensed childcare facility for full days – 8 hours per day. Students will complete a minimum of 249 hours within the 2 – 4 week placements.
Career Search Strategies
This course is offered in combined online and classroom delivery format. You will learn to network effectively (online and in person), to search and apply for jobs and to prepare targeted resumes and cover letters. You will also be provided with coaching and individualized instructor feedback on your resume, cover letter, and interview skills.
FOODSAFE Level One
You will learn how to prepare food in a way that protects customers from injury or illness. Some of the topics covered are food-borne diseases, personal hygiene and safe procedures for storing.
Personal & Professional Development Skills Certificate
The Personal and Professional Development (PPD) Skills Certificate is a combination of interactive, online modules and synchronous follow-up discussions that apply the general module content to the specifics of your program and future career. In addition to the Soft Skills Development module, you will develop your ability to work with diverse clients, patients, and colleagues through the Gender Diversity and Sexual Orientation; Disability, Neurodiversity, and Accessibility; Anti-Indigenous Racism and Indigenous Gender Diversity; and Anti-Racism modules.
Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System
WHMIS provides information about materials in the workplace that can be hazardous, such as cleaning agents, compressed gases and flammable materials. Becoming WHMIS certified will demonstrate that you are able to identify hazardous materials and handle them properly.
Appetite to Play Certificate
Appetite to Play is associated with the Ministry of Health and provides education and resources for the recommended practices for healthy eating and physical activity for Early Childhood (0-5).
Program Highlights
After only two months in the program, you will receive your ECE Assistant License and be able to work part-time as an ECE Assistant while completing your studies. This allows you to gain valuable work experience and earn income during your education.
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
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