Early Childhood Care & Education Certificate

Why Choose North Island College?

• Learn at your own pace. The program can be completed either full-time or part-time, giving you the flexibility to continue with other commitments while you study.
• Experience that employers value. Practicums provide first-hand experience and training in the field, enabling you to secure positions of greater responsibility.
• Credit for prior learning. Students who already have relevant work experience may receive credit for parts of the certificate or diploma practicums. Ask a Student Advisor for details.
• Small classes, big opportunities. The blend of small class size and high quality instruction, along with valuable hands-on experience in a variety of child care settings, helps NIC students achieve their personal, career, and educational goals.
• Approved education. NIC’s Early Childhood Care & Education certificate is approved by the BC Early Childhood Educator Registry, and leads to an official BC Licence to Practice.

Program Highlights

The Early Childhood Care & Education certificate can be completed full-time in ten months or on a part-time basis over four years. Options for part-time study should be discussed with the department chair or instructor on an individual basis.

During the first term, students are introduced to the fundamental principles of child development, health, safety and nutrition for the caregiver and the child, child guidance, and the basic principles of communication. Students also plan early childhood play-based activities in the area of creative arts.

The second term builds on the content from term one, developing further into studies of child guidance, and the foundations of professional practice. Students will also explore different curriculum models, including emergent and theme based curriculum.

In addition to scheduled classes, students participate in three parctice experiences, each with a different child care provider. This allows students to explore different models of child care and different environments. This experience begins with observations and advances to program planning and working directly with children. 

In the third term students participate in a practicum placement four days a week, working with a mentor while planning and implementing curriculum. Some classroom work is also required, such as participation in seminars and attendance in the Child, Family, and Community course. 

Graduates of the program will receive the NIC certificate in early childhood care and education, which leads to the BC Licence to Practice. Upon completion of the program, graduates must complete 500 hours of work experience in the child care field and submit a letter of reference from an early childhood centre supervisor to the BC Early Childhood Registry. 

Career Opportunities

The Early Childhood Care & Education certificate is designed to prepare graduates to work with young children of varying abilities from 3 to 5 years, in a variety of child care settings. Completion of the program is the first step in becoming a licensed early childhood educator in British Columbia. This program also provides opportunities for graduates to work with children and their families in other related fields.

At the conclusion of the program and the required completion of 500 hours of fieldwork, graduates should forward a copy of their NIC certificate and official college transcript to:

Early Childhood Education Registry
Child Care Programs and Services Branch
Ministry of Children and Family Development
PO Box 9953 STN PROV GOVT
Victoria BC V8W 9R3

Telephone in Greater Victoria: (250) 356-6501
Elsewhere in BC call toll-free: 1-888-338-6622
www.mcf.gov.bc.ca/childcare/ece/index.htm

Graduates who wish to continue their education may enter the NIC Early Childhood Care & Education diploma, or may choose to transfer their certificate credentials to a program at another post-secondary institution. Many institutions will recognize the certificate program for block transfer credit. The opportunity to continue into a degree program in child and youth care is also available. Graduates should contact a Student Advisor at their university of choice for information regarding admission and transfer credit. 

Credit for Prior Learning

Students who have relevant educational and work experiences may wish to complete a prior learning assessment (PLA) as a way of receiving credit for parts of the program. Currently, prior learning credit may only be applied to practice experience. Contact Student Services for more information.

Practice Experience

The program offers extensive field placements called practice experience. This gives students the opportunity to put their theory and knowledge into practice under the direction of qualified early childhood educators who act as their mentors.

Seat Availability

Students who fail a required course may re-enter the program and repeat the course. Upon failing a second course, the student may be asked to complete a learning assessment prior to being considered for re-admission and re-starting at Term One. Re-entering the program after failing a course is dependent of an available seat and at the discretion of the early childhood care and education department. These regulations are important to ensure graduates have the required skills and knowledge to enter the profession.

Admission Requirements

1. Provincial English 12 with a C or better, or equivalent English course, or successful English assessment testing.
2. Completed Early Childhood Care & Education Intake Package

Before Classes Begin

Once accepted to the program, but before classes begin, students are required to submit a portfolio containing the following information:

1. Consent for a Criminal Records Check form, schedule “F”
2. Completed Personal Immunization form
3. Two personal letters of reference
4. Written opinion of a medical practitioner that the mental and physical health of the person is adequate for the job. This is due prior to the first practice experience.
5. Mandatory attendance at the June information session

Students will receive an information package in the summer which will include copies of the required forms and directions for completion.

To Be Successful

Skills required to be successful in the program include but are not limited to the following:

• Communicate effectively
• Build relationships
• Work as part of a team as well as working independently
• Maintain confidentiality
• Demonstrate the ability to follow directions
• Display a positive attitude toward attendance and punctuality
• Maintain satisfactory theory average and practical performance
• Demonstrate a reasonable attitude towards self-directed learning
• Recognize limitations and seek help appropriately
• Demonstrate accountability, honesty and reliability
• Re-entry into the program is dependent on a seat being available and at the discretion of the faculty. An interview with the faculty will be required. 

Program Requirements

• ECC-104 Developmental Journey – Part I
• ECC-114 Partnerships – Part I – Child Guidance
• ECC-116 Partnerships II - Advanced Guiding and Caring
• ECC-124 The Learning Child – Part I – Play & Curriculum
• ECC-125 The Learning Child – Part II – Planning for Play & the Environment
• ECC-136 Foundations of Professional Practice
• ECC-140 Practice Experience I
• ECC-141 Practice Experience II
• ECC-142 Practice Experience III
• ECC-157 Effective Interpersonal Communications
• ECC-163 Child Family and Community
• ECC-168 Health Safety and Nutrition in Childcare Settings
• FAC-010 Child Care First Aid (or equivalent)

Completion Requirements

1. Attendance is required in all courses. Students who miss more than 10% of a course may be asked to repeat the course for credit.
2. To complete the program, students must successfully complete all courses with an overall average of 60% and a minimum of 55% in each course.
3. Students are required to adhere to the Code of Ethics of the Early Childhood Educators of British Columbia. Failure to adhere to these principles may result in the student being required to leave the program.