FAQ

Apply to Douglas College. Applications for the full-time program must be submitted by April 1 each year. The program commences in September. Enrolment is limited and students are advised to apply early as applications are processed on a first-come, first-served basis.

Applications for the part-time program must be submitted by April 1 for the September intake, October 1 for the January intake. The part-time program commences in September.

Meet the entrance English requirements by submitting your High School English marks or taking the college language assessment examination and complete any upgrading that is recommended.

Complete 50 hours of volunteer or paid group child care experience (ages birth to eight years) and submit documentation from your supervisor to the College.

Attend an ECE Program Orientation. Early Registration begins in January and February for those who have met initial admission requirements.

Successfully participate in a selection interview and submit two reference letters attesting to your character. Note: reference letters are not the same as the 50 Hours of Work Verification Forms. A reference should be written by someone (other than a relative) who has known you for some time and can speak about your character -- a teacher, friend of the family, work supervisor, etc.

Ensure the reference letters include:

• date (must be recent) and printed name of the referee
• address and phone number of the referee
• signature of the referee

When you have successfully met the above requirements and received a conditional acceptance letter, you will be sent a medical and criminal record search form. Once these forms have been successfully completed and received by the Registrar's Office, you will receive final acceptance into the program. You will be sent medical and criminal record search forms when you are offered a seat in the program. You are advised not to complete these forms in advance, because they are only valid for a limited period of time and there is usually a cost involved.
 Courses for full time students are generally held in the day, from 8:30 to early evening.  Diploma courses are held in the morning, afternoon and evening in the fourth term.  Part time courses are held in the evenings and occasionally, in the day on Saturdays.  Part time students may access daytime couses (subject to availability) and should contact the ECE Coordinator to request seats in the day program. pricek@douglas.bc.ca

In the full-time program:

• you will take five or six courses each semester
• the first three semesters are day classes, some diploma courses are held in the evening in the fourth term
• certificate work can be completed in three semesters and diplomas completed in four semesters
• you are guaranteed a seat in each course for the first three semesters
• all courses are offered at the New Westminster Campus

In the part-time program:

• you will take the same courses as the full-time students over a three year schedule
• courses are held in the evening or on Saturdays, during the day
• you will take approximately half of the full-time course load
• you will graduate in three to four years, depending on your course load
• all courses are offered at the New Westminster Campus
• the entrance requirements are the same as for the full-time program

If you have skills and knowledge that apply to early childhood education, the Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition Service (PLAR) can help you identify, document and demonstrate the knowledge, skills and abilities you have acquired on the job (workplace learning) or through life experiences.

Once your learning in a particular field of study is identified and documented, you may apply to have your knowledge, skills and abilities assessed for possible academic credit.

For information on ECE PLAR contact Sue Vincent, 604-527-5589, vincents@douglas.bc.ca.

50 hours of volunteer or paid work experience

Before entering the ECE program you are required to complete 50 hours of paid or volunteer work experience with groups of children between birth and eight years of age. This requirement serves two purposes:

• It gives you the opportunity to assess your interest in pursuing this program by acquainting you with some of the realities of working in the field of early childhood education.
• It gives your work supervisor(s), through the letter of reference, an opportunity to comment on your personal suitability and potential for training in early childhood education.

500 hours of work experience

When you apply for your provincial licences after receiving your diploma, you must provide evidence of 500 hours of work experience, either paid or volunteer. Practicums do not count towards these hours. The Ministry of Children and Family Development - Child Care branch has details for early childhood educators about the work experience licence requirement.

Practicums are part of the ECE program. You'll be placed in child care centres and preschools and given assignments to complete. You are expected to practice the knowledge and skills learned in other courses, participate in a comprehensive evaluation, and will receive a (Mastery or Non-Mastery) grade at completion.

Note: practicum hours cannot be included as part of the 500 hours of work experience required of ECE graduates by the provincial government for a licence to practice.

Full-time students can complete their diplomas in two years, while part-time students can complete the program in four years.

Students in the full-time program can also complete their certificates in less time by attending two consecutive fall semesters and one winter semester. There are limited course offerings in the summer.

Students with ECE Certificates from early childhood education programs approved by the Child Care branch (Ministry of Children and Family Development) can transfer 30 credits toward their Douglas College ECE Diploma.

For more information, see the Transfer Credit section of the Douglas College Calendar.

Certificate and Diploma graduates will be eligible to work in provincially licensed preschool and child care centres once they become Registered Early Childhood Educators.

Diploma graduates who have completed the Infant/Toddler Stream will be eligible to work in provincially licensed infant and toddler centres as Registered Infant/Toddler Educators.

Diploma graduates who have completed the Special Needs Stream will be eligible to work as Special Needs Educators.

Some of our graduates work in preschool recreation programs. Other students open Family Child Care Centres.

Yes, students who have been accepted into the ECE Program and are taking courses each semester can be hired in child care centres as assistants after completion of specified courses. We strongly recommend that full time students do not work more than a few hours a week during a semester of studies.

Yes, completion of a program in Early Childhood Education from Douglas College is the first step in becoming a Certified Early Childhood Educator in British Columbia.

Licence requirements can be found at the Child Care branch of the Ministry of Children and Family Development.

See the Douglas College Calendar   Attend an ECE Program information session

Visit our "Program Information" page and review our Student Information Booklet.

Full & Part time Program: ECE Instructional Facilitator, Monica Freeman, 604-527-5163 or freemanm@douglas.bc.ca

Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition: PLAR Facilitator, Sue Vincent, 604-527-5589, or vincents@douglas.bc.ca

Post-Basic, Re-entry students, ECE Registry referrals: ECE Program Coordinator, Kathleen Price, pricek@douglas.bc.ca