Hear From an ECE Grad
Takiya speaks to her positive campus experience and her time at Vancouver Career College.
The development years in a child's education are among the most important. Early childhood educators have a profound impact on a child's success in early development and learning.
At Vancouver Career College, our 72-week diploma program teaches students how to plan, organize, and implement programs for children between the ages of infancy and 12 years old. Take classes in language and literature, music and movement, drama and creative expression, and much more.
Graduates of the ECE program go on to lead children in activities to stimulate and develop their intellectual, physical, and emotional growth; ensuring their needs of security and well-being are met.
Before graduating, students of the ECE program will have obtained real-world experience working with young children in a series of five and six-week practicum placements. (Must be completed in British Columbia)
The Early Childhood Education diploma program (including completion of infant toddler and special needs training) meet the academic requirements necessary to apply to the Early Childhood Educator Registry for provincial certification as an Early Childhood Educator (ECE), Infant Toddler Educator (ITE) and Special Needs Educator (SNE) in British Columbia.
Academic Requirements for Admissions:
OR
Administrative Requirements for Admissions:
NOTE: It is important to note that a student must complete the ‘basic’ portion of the program (all classroom-based and practicum components) before starting the ‘post-basic’ section of the program. [See the Course Breakdown.]
DAYCARE OBSERVATION AND WORK EXPERIENCE PLACEMENT REQUIREMENTS
(Practicum, Clinical Placement or Preceptorship)
Note: Please refer to Student Handbook for more information.
Note: The following courses require both criminal record check and immunization report prior to the first day.
This program has been approved by the registrar of the Private Training Institutions Branch (PTIB) of the Ministry of Advanced Education, Skills and Training.
Takiya speaks to her positive campus experience and her time at Vancouver Career College.
The purpose of this course is to provide students with the knowledge, skills, and study techniques to help foster effective learning and a positive educational experience. This course explores many different theories on learning and studying and how these theories can be applied to each student’s individual studying methods in order to develop a method that is both effective and efficient. Effective study habits and productive note-taking are key topics in this course, as well as the importance of values and goals. Through active participation in learner-centred activities, students will explore and practice strategies for setting personal goals, prioritizing tasks, managing time, and managing the stress that arises in school or work situations. This course will also equip students with a sound understanding of matters related to finance, credit, and debt and the critical implications they have on our lives. Students taking this course will complete the Enriched Academy program, which provides comprehensive coverage of financial and money management skills that will allow them to better save, budget, and manage their money and financial situations.
This module will detail the history of the ECE environment in British Columbia including an overview of the licensing agency and acts and regulations responsible for child care facilities and child care facility staff. Students complete assignments to build practical understanding of licensing, staff qualifications, educator/child ratio and activities.
As the course is aptly named, several important regulations, philosophies, and common themes are introduced here and are reinforced throughout the program as well:
The focus of this module is on the development and implementation of age - and stage - appropriate activities. Students will learn how to set learning objectives and design and evaluate activities and lessons.
Ideally this course is studied in the early phase of the program, as the skills learned apply to assignments and study of various subject areas of curriculum covered in the ECE program.
Professional responsibilities and the roles of Early Childhood Educators will be explored. The hierarchy and communication among family-based team members as well as the role of staffing will be addressed. Students will also learn about legal and ethical practice issues, the role of confidentiality, acceptable behaviours and standards of care.
Special topics will include practices of ECE for immigrant and refugee children in BC, application of the Code of Ethics, and the function of the Child Care Resource & Referral Program in communities across BC.
This module is an in-depth study of all aspects of child development from infancy to early childhood. Students will look at theories of human development and how these theories affect the practices of early childhood educators. The purpose of this module is to give students thorough background knowledge of child growth and development. As a result of this module, students will be able to identify the unique developmental needs of children and cater their early childhood programs to meet those needs.
Students are eligible to apply for an Early Childhood Educator Assistant (ECEA) certificate after successful completion of this course; this will enable a student to elect to work in the field while completing their ECE education
In this 2-week, 60-hour observation practicum, students will study one child’s speech and language development in a licensed childcare centre for children who are between the ages of 2.5 years and 5 years of age. Following the assignment guidelines, students will use several observation methods to capture this specific child’s developing speech and language. Using the information gathered from these observations the students plan three developmentally appropriate speech and language activities that would enhance this child’s speech and language abilities. Implementation of these activities is optional. Throughout these two weeks, students are to attend two 2.5 hour practicum seminars.
This module will develop practitioner skills necessary to provide a positive, safe, and nurturing environment. Strategies for guidance, discipline, and conflict will be examined through in-class work and observation assignments.
The course includes a two-day observation for the assignment ‘Guidance Observation’. Students are eligible to apply for an Early Childhood Educator Assistant (ECEA) certificate after successful completion of this course; this will enable a student to elect to work in the field while completing their ECE education.
This module deals with physical, social and emotional growth through a variety of structure, music and movement programs. Students record and describe the ways in which children are exposed to music and how it can be utilized to set atmosphere, ease transitions and waiting periods, and guide and redirect behaviour.
This course also introduces resources from organizations such as LEAP BC™, that promote healthy child development through physical movement while integrating activity and play with literacy and education during engagement with young children in programs like Move™ and Hop™.
Expectations, documentation, policies and procedures highlight this module as preparation for practicum placements. Students meet with Sponsor Supervisors at their placement site to build comfort level and discuss facility procedures, practicum assignments and other requirements. Students also have the opportunity to outline personal goals and objectives and how they expect to achieve them. There is also an open and supportive forum to discuss potential fears and concerns students may have as they anticipate their first ECE practicum experience.
This course is included in the practicum hours as approved by the Ministry of Children and Family Development.
The purpose of this module is to help students develop the knowledge needed to create early childhood environments that enhance learning and further development. This module will aid students in understanding that quality environments for children are conducive to optimal growth and development. At the end of this module students will be prepared with the necessary skills and knowledge to plan and arrange a childcare environment that nurtures the whole child. Students will be able to evaluate the functional, physical and aesthetic components of space for children. This module may include a two-day observation in a child care centre.
This module will address proactive measures for reactive methods of addressing illness prevention, disease transmission, abuse, and childhood behaviours such as bullying. Assignments may include practical application such as menu evaluations, shopping assignments, and Occupational Health & Safety Regulation applications, as well as topics related to nutrition, healthy eating programs, and the Canada Food Guide. Students will also take a one-day Emergency Child Care First Aid and CPR program through external certification. Students also will be trained in FoodSafe™ - Level I certification (8 hours). Students should note that some of the training covered in this course will require more than five hours of class time on specific days in the schedule.
Students are eligible to apply for an Early Childhood Educator Assistant (ECEA) certificate after successful completion of this course; this will enable a student to elect to work in the field while completing their ECE education.
During this module, students will have the opportunity to debrief on their earlier practicum and observation experiences and review the application and development of skills and core concepts learned throughout the program. Basic centre administration will be covered including budgeting, scheduling, centre structure, and organization, as well as other management skills.
A guest speaker (licensing officer) is normally scheduled for this course.
This course builds on the skills learned in the Student Success Strategies course or its equivalent. It provides information on how to use the communication skills learned in order to make a successful presentation to a prospective employer. Students also learn how to uncover the hidden job market and identifyemployment opportunities. Self-assessment during this course allows students to identify their personal skills that are transferable to the work place and to describe these skills to a prospective employer. Students may be videotaped during a mock interview and will participate in the analysis of their performance in the “interview”.
A six-week integrated community based practicum, supervised by a Certified Infant Toddler Educator (Sponsor Teacher) with additional observation and evaluation by ECE Faculty from the College. This laboratory course provides the student with opportunities for the development and implementation of comprehensive projects that demonstrate advanced professional knowledge and practice.
A six-week integrated community based practicum, supervised by a Certified Special Needs Educator with additional observation and evaluation by ECE Faculty from the College. This laboratory course provides the student with opportunities for the development and implementation of comprehensive projects that demonstrate advanced professional knowledge and practice.