Early Childhood Education and Care Diploma
Early Childhood Educators (ECE) in British Columbia work in a variety of settings supporting the education and care of children ages birth – 12 years, including support for their families. ECE’s use their specialized education in early learning to create and maintain an inclusive and safe environment that encourages learning, while being responsive to the children’s needs and interests. The daily work can be both physically and mentally challenging, wellness in both of these areas are needed to maintain safety for both the children and the ECE. Working within diverse communities and programs, they use reflective and collaborative practices to encourage children’s understanding and engagement with the world.
The program prepares students to apply for BC ECE Registry certification (including Early Childhood Educator Assistant, Early Childhood Educator, Infant and Toddler Educator, Special Needs Educator) at various points in the study period. Students will complete practica in early learning programs where opportunities to explore diverse experiences and philosophies can be achieved. Students in the NLC northern catchment area and enrolled in face to face instruction will be placed in practicum settings by the instructor. Students located outside of the NLC northern catchment area, or enrolled in the provincial online program, will set up their own practicum placements. Those who are unable to locate suitable practica placements in their home community may need to relocate to another community for one or more of the practica. Many theory courses also require access to children ages 0-5 years to complete assignments.
NLC has been offering a BC province-wide, exemplary online learning model for ECE students since 1998. Choosing the NLC ECEC Diploma connects students to instructors with various backgrounds, all rooted in the foundations of ECE practice. The faculty’s innovative thinking offers learners access to creative experiences and practices that align with the visionary principles of the field. NLC continues to respond to specific community needs in BC through partnerships and one-time-only offerings in various communities. As a program, faculty are focused on following pedagogical commitments connected to ethical and progressive practices.
Intakes online: Through the use of webinar and online delivery students remain in their home communities and complete 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.
Campus Information
Tumbler Ridge
The District of Tumbler Ridge is Canada's youngest community, established in 1981 as a coal mining community.
Dawson Creek
The City of Dawson Creek, or the Mile Zero City, is the starting point on the world famous Alaska Highway, and is the largest centre in the Peace River South region.
Chetwynd
The District of Chetwynd is located in the beautiful foothills of the Rocky Mountains, approximately an hour west of Dawson Creek, and three hours north of Prince George
Fort Nelson
The Town of Fort Nelson is the largest centre in the Northern Rockies Regional District, with a population of about 4,700.
Intakes
- Jan
- May
- Sep
Application Processing Time in Days: 20
Minimum English Language Requirements
| English Level Description | IELTS (1.0 -9.0) | TOEFL IBT (0-120) | TOEFL CBT (0-300) | PTE (10-90) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Expert | 9 | 120 | 297-300 | 86-90 | |
| Very Good | 8.5 | 115-119 | 280-293 | 83-86 | |
| Very Good | 8 | 110-114 | 270-280 | 79-83 | |
| Good | 7.5 | 102-109 | 253-267 | 73-79 | |
| Good | 7 | 94-101 | 240-253 | 65-73 | |
| Competent | 6.5 | 79-93 | 213-233 | 58-65 | |
| Competent | 6 | 60-78 | 170-210 | 50-58 | |
| Modest | 5.5 | 46-59 | 133-210 | 43-50 | |
| Modest | 5 | 35-45 | 107-133 | 36-43 | |
| Limited | 4 | 32-34 | 97-103 | 30-36 | |
| Extremely Limited | < 4 | < 31 | < 93 | < 30 |
Job Opportunity Potential
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.
PSW Opportunity
If your program was less than 8 months
- You aren’t eligible for a PGWP.
If your program was more than 8 months but less than 2 years
- We may give you a PGWP that’s valid for up to the same length as your study program.
For example, if you completed a 9-month program, we may give you a work permit for up to 9 months.
If your program was 2 years or more
- We may give you a PGWP that’s valid for 3 years.
If you completed more than 1 program
- You may be able to get a PGWP that combines the length of each program.
Each of the programs you completed -
- must be PGWP-eligible and at least 8 months in length
Admission Requirement / Eligibility Criteria
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 050new window, or equivalent with a C grade or higher
- ENGL 099new window, 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 result with an overall score of 6.0 or higher 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.
Educacentre students:
- English requirement is replaced by successful completion of the French language test at a C (60%) or higher
Additional Requirements
- Completed ECEC Entrance/Advising Questionnaire)new window (en FrançaisPDFnew window)
- 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 Criminal Records Review Program (CRRP), for a Schedule “B” Criminal Record Check (CRC), WORKS WITH Children or WORKS WITH Children and Vulnerable Adults. For information and regulations, see Criminal Records Checksnew window.
For More Information Pls Contact To Our PSA Counselor.
- Course Type: Full Time
- Course Level: Under Graduate Diploma or Certificate
- Duration: 02 Year
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Total Tuition Fee:
24770 CAD
Average Cost of Living: 22895 CAD /year
Application Fee: 100 CAD
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