Â鶹ԭ´´

Early Childhood Care & Education (ECCE) is designed to prepare you with the necessary skills, knowledge and learning dispositions to be provincially certified as an early childhood educator with a specialty in the care and education of infants and toddlers.

Curriculum is based on current best practices in early learning and care, reflecting the changing needs of children and families in the 21st century. The program focusses on transforming thinking about the education of young children away from the provision of set content to the process of nurturing creative thinking, problem-solving and relationships with and between children.

Theory is brought to life through experiential and place-based learning. The program draws on the strengths of individual learners as it provides a model for supporting the development of dispositions and practices which can, in turn, be supported in working with young children and their families. The program challenges learners to co-create curriculum with children and to design learning environments that embrace the diversity of all children and families including local First Nations, Aboriginal and Inuit peoples.

Career opportunities

Early childhood educators are in high demand in BC and the rest of Canada. BC’s 2025 Labour Market Outlook Report ranks early childhood educators in the top 15 careers with greatest job openings.

ECCE graduates have the opportunity to find employment in a variety of settings:

Group daycares for children between birth and 12 years

In-home small group or family childcare

Preschools

Programs such as Aboriginal Head Starts (on and off-reserve), School Districts’ Strong Start, Supported Child Development (Aboriginal & non-Aboriginal), Infant Development, Aboriginal Infant Development and Family Resource

You may also utilize your ECCE education to obtain employment as an Education Assistant in northern BC Kindergartens and Grade 1. Municipal Parks and Recreation recruit those with ECEA and ECE/ITE certificates for children’s programs as well as other community services such as Transition (Safe) homes, Children Who Witness Abuse programs, and respite care homes and services.