Gain the knowledge and skills to specialize in the inclusive care and development of children aged 0-6 and children with special needs. Graduates qualify for the Infant Toddler Educator (ITE) and Special Needs Educator (SNE) certifications from the B.C. Ministry of Children and Family Development.
What you will learn
Upon successful completion of this program, graduates will be able to:
- Protect and promote the psychological and physical safety, health and well-being of young children ages 0-6 and implement effective inclusive practices in working with both typically developed and children with exceptionalities.
- Develop and maintain a warm, caring, and responsive relationship with each child and with groups of children.
- Administer daily experiences that support and promote children's physical, emotional, social, communication, cognitive, ethical and creative lives.
- Use pedagogical narration to interpret and respond to every child's skills, abilities, interests and needs with special focus on infants and toddlers and children who need extra support.
- Analyze variations in development among young children, ages 0-6.
- Establish and maintain an open, cooperative relationship with each child's family.
- Establish and maintain inclusive, supportive, collaborative relationships with others working in the early care and learning setting.
- Establish and maintain collaborative relationships with other community service providers working with the child.
- Reflect on one's own knowledge, attitudes, and skills and take appropriate action for change.
- Practice administrative and management skills as related to early care and learning settings.
- Practice ethical and professional behaviour when working in the early childhood and education industry.
- Advocate for high-quality, accessible, comprehensive and inclusive early care and learning settings.
What to expect
Program Duration and Maximum Time for Completion
The duration of the Early Childhood Care and Education Diploma is two years full time (1830 hours of combined lecture, field observations, and practicum). The maximum time for completion is 5 years.
Courses combine classroom lectures, presentations, discussions, practical exercises, and individual and group work. Students take an active role and learn by observing early childhood programs during field trips and off-site field studies. Students are exposed to the new ECCE resources SECD (Science of Early Child Development). Guest speakers are invited for every course in order to provide community awareness and connections for the students.
The class time includes the use of the ECCE Lab.
Practicum students receive on-site support and supervision from college instructors and sponsors who are qualified early childhood educators.
Admission requirements
Program-specific
- Grade 12 graduation, or equivalent
- Minimum 18 years of age
- English Studies 12 with a minimum ‘C’ grade, or equivalent
- Interview with Selection Committee, in person or by video conference
- Two letters of recommendation from people who have worked with the applicant in a relevant professional or academic environment.
Upon Acceptance:
- Criminal Record Check (CRC)
- Students in this program are required to complete a CRC. The CRC must be completed according to VCC's Criminal Record Check instructions. Students whose CRC results indicate they pose a risk to vulnerable populations will not be able to complete the requirements of the program (e.g. practicums) or graduate.
- TB Screening
- Students must submit a negative Tuberculosis (TB) skin test. If the TB skin test is positive, a negative TB chest x-ray is required.
- Immunizations
- A VCC Immunization Record must be completed. Immunizations in the following are strongly recommended and in some cases may be required for practicum placements:
- Diphtheria/Tetanus/Pertussis
- Polio
- Measles, Mumps & Rubella
- Varicella (chicken pox)
- Hepatitis B
- Influenza
- Covid-19
- A VCC Immunization Record must be completed. Immunizations in the following are strongly recommended and in some cases may be required for practicum placements:
General
- Seats are offered to applicants who have met all admission requirements, on a first-qualified, first-served basis.
- International applicants must be 17 years of age or older or a graduate of a secondary school. (Some exceptions may apply.)
- Applicants must submit official transcripts and educational documents as required by their course or program.
- All VCC applicants are required to function successfully in an English-speaking classroom. English requirements vary by program. For details, visit VCC International - English Requirements.
Program Considerations
The Early Childhood Care and Education Diploma is designed to meet the needs of adult learners who reflect the cultural and linguistic diversity of our community.
The following attributes are recommended:
- Desire to work with children and families in early childhood programs and services
- Previous experience in working with young children
- Ability to communicate effectively in English
Courses *
Monday to Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Class times are subject to change.
Prior learning assessment and recognition
Prior learning assessment is not available for this program.
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Term One | Credits | |
| ECED 1011 | Introduction to Early Childhood Care and Education Studies | 2 |
| ECED 1301 | Foundations in ECCE | 2.5 |
| ECED 1302 | Early Childhood Care and Education Field Study 1 | 1 |
| ECED 1303 | Communications | 1.5 |
| ECED 1304 | Observing and Recording | 2 |
| ECED 1107 | Guiding and Caring | 2 |
| ECED 1305 | Child Growth 1 | 2 |
| ECED 1306 | Early Childhood Care and Education Field Study 2 | 1 |
| Credits | 14 | |
| Term Two | ||
| ECED 2301 | Creative Art | 2 |
| ECED 2302 | Exploring Learning Environments | 2 |
| ECED 2303 | Early Childhood Care and Education Field Study 4 | 1 |
| ECED 2305 | Early Childhood Care and Education Practicum 1 | 2.5 |
| ECED 2106 | Early Childhood Care and Education Field Study 5 | 1 |
| ECED 2102 | Music and Movement | 2 |
| ECED 1307 | The Learning Child | 2 |
| ECED 1308 | Early Childhood Care and Education Field Study 3 | 1 |
| Credits | 13.5 | |
| Term Three | ||
| ECED 1104 | Child Growth 2 | 2 |
| ECED 2308 | Language and Literature | 2 |
| ECED 2115 | Health, Safety and Nutrition | 2 |
| ECED 2306 | Early Childhood Care and Education Practicum 2 | 2.5 |
| ECED 2304 | Integrated Program Planning | 1 |
| ECED 2307 | Early Childhood Care and Education Practicum 3 | 4 |
| ECED 2309 | Ecology of Family | 2 |
| Credits | 15.5 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Term Four | ||
| ECED 2313 | Advanced Child Growth and Development IT/SN | 2 |
| ECED 2314 | Advanced Field Study IT/SN | 1 |
| ECED 2235 | Infant Practicum | 4 |
| ECED 2315 | Advanced Health, Safety and Nutrition IT/SN | 2 |
| ECED 2316 | Role of the Caregiver IT | 3 |
| Credits | 12 | |
| Term Five | ||
| ECED 2320 | Professional Perspectives | 2 |
| ECED 2200 | Enhancing Family Relationships | 2 |
| ECED 2335 | Toddler Practicum | 4 |
| ECED 2317 | Role of the Caregiver SN | 3 |
| Credits | 11 | |
| Term Six | ||
| ECED 2230 | Special Needs Practicum 1 | 4 |
| ECED 2330 | Special Needs Practicum 2 | 4 |
| ECED 2300 | Childcare Administration | 2 |
| Credits | 10 | |
| Total Credits | 76 | |
Note: For students who began the program before January 2025, ECCE courses will be considered equivalent to the ECED courses with the same number. Equivalencies will be accepted through January 2030. Exceptions must be approved by the Registrar’s Office in consultation with the department.
* This information is intended as a guideline only. Program and course details are subject to change with the approval of VCC's Board of Governors.
Fees and other costs *
Tuition deposits are payable usually within three weeks after a Letter of Offer is issued.
| Fee description | Fee Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Application fee | 145 | |
| Tuition Tuition | 48070 | |
| Student union | 434 | |
| College initiative | 241 | |
| Materials | 0 | not including textbooks |
| Campus resource | 481 | |
| Laundry | 0 | |
| Tools (deposit) | 0 | |
| Coverall (deposit) | 0 | |
| Uniform (deposit) | 0 | |
| Medical and Dental | 570 | |
| Temporary Medical Insurance | 149 | |
| U-PASS | 1126 | |
| Graduation | 45 | |
| Program-specific extra fees | 3190 | |
| Total |
This is an international cohort program. As international cohorts are exclusively for international students, international fees apply throughout the duration of the program.
* Tuition and other fees are approximate and subject to increase up to 5% per year. Students will be required to pay increased rates if the fees change at any time during the period of enrolment in the program. Application and assessment fees are non-refundable.
Fees listed are for international students. For domestic programs, visit vcc.ca.
Any refunds are issued according to VCC's international refund policy.
Apply now
The Letters of Recommendation should be issued by someone who knows the student on a professional level as a student, volunteer or employee. For example, the letters may be written by:
- Instructors
- Supervisors from a volunteer activity
- Current or past employers
A signature, date of signing, and contact information must be included in the letters.