Program Information
The Early Childhood Education (ECE) Program at Douglas College prepares you to work with newborns to children up to eight years of age. You'll graduate with the skills and knowledge you need to receive provincial licences allowing you to work as a basic early childhood educator and a special needs educator. If you choose to do so, you can return to Douglas College and complete two more courses that will allow you to apply for your provincial licence as an infant-toddler early childhood educator.
- Courses
- Get credit for your skills or knowledge
- Practicums
- Transferring to University
- Student Information Booklet (PDF)
Courses
In the ECE program at Douglas College you'll take courses in child growth and development, child observation and documentation, methods for working with children, curriculum development, working in partnership with families, personal wellness, interpersonal communication and team-work skills.
You'll also take selected courses with students from other programs in the Faculty of Child, Family and Community Studies. This reflects your future work environment and gives you greater insight into other disciplines, as you may work alongside a variety of other professionals. Please visit the Child, Family and Community Studies site for information regarding program language entrance and exit requirements.
Get credit for your skills or knowledge
If you have knowledge or skills that relate to the field of Early Childhood Education, contact 604-527-5589 regarding Prior Learning Assessment & Recognition(PLAR).
If you have up to three years experience in the field, some courses in the ECE program may be challenged for credit through Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR).
Practitioners with more than three years field experience may inquire about ECE PLAR for licence.
If you have been referred to PLAR by the Early Childhood Registry of British Columbia and have received an assessment letter indicating areas of instruction required to obtain certification, contact the ECE Coordinator at pricek@douglas.bc.ca.
PLAR is not available during the summer months.
A practicum is a work placement in a licensed preschool or child care centre that gives you the opportunity to practice the skills you've learned in the program and get hands-on experience before you graduate. There are two practicums in the second and third semesters of the certificate program and an additional post-basic preceptorship practicum in the diploma program. The practicums are 25-30 working days over a five or six week block. The practicum may involve some travel in the Lower Mainland and a car is a definite asset.
Transferring to University
Your ECE diploma will transfer to degree programs at other post-secondary institutions, giving you even greater options for leadership in the field of early childhood education. Currently, if you have a Douglas College ECE diploma and wish to continue your education, you can receive two full years of credit at:
- Douglas College (Bachelor of Arts in Child and Youth Care)
- University College of the Fraser Valley (Bachelor of Arts degree in Child and Youth Care)
- Malaspina University College (Bachelor of Arts degree in Child and Youth Care)
- University of Victoria (Bachelor of Arts degree in Child and Youth Care) - Specialty in Early Childhood Education
- University of Calgary (Bachelor of Community Rehabilition)
The Bachelor of Community Rehabilitation offers maximum flexibility to diploma graduates -- courses are offered on-line or in person at Douglas College, so you never have to leave BC. This broad-based credential leads to leadership and executive positions in early childhood education and throughout the social services field. For more information about this program, contact Tanya Sather, Student Advisor, Vancouver Regional Campus, sather@ucalgary.ca
Students interested in transfer to the Bachelor of General Studies (Education) at Simon Fraser University should contact Jacquie Breadon, Advisor, Simon Fraser University, at 778-782-3436 or educadv@sfu.ca
If you are interested in pursuing a Bachelor of Arts degree in Child and Youth Care at other institutions, please contact an Academic Advisor or Coordinator with each institution.
For information regarding transfer of credits to the Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education at Capilano University, contact: ecce@capilanou.ca or 604-984-4960.