About Our Early Childhood Education Programs
To become a Certified Early Childhood Educator in B.C., you are required to complete a training program from an approved educational institution, such as Stenberg College in Canada. Graduates of our program will be registered with the B.C. Ministry of Children and Family Development’s ECE Registry.
ECE Basic Certificate
Our ECE Basic certificate is 58 weeks and includes eight weeks of practicum experience. Graduates are prepared to support the learning and development of children between the ages of three and five.
After only two months in the program, you will receive your ECE Assistant License and be able to work part-time as an ECE Assistant. A requirement to work as an Early Childhood Education Assistant in a licensed childcare facility in BC is to be certified by the Early Childhood Educator (ECE) Registry. Stenberg College’s ECE Basic Program students can request a transcript upon completing the Early Childhood Education Assistant courses offered within our ECE Registry-recognized ECE Basic Program and apply for certification through the ECE Registry’s equivalency process. For more information about the process, visit the ECE Registry website.
NOTE: Stenberg College does not have a stand-alone recognized Early Childhood Education Assistant program with the ECE Registry or PTIB. However, we offer a fully recognized ECE Basic Certificate Program, an ECE Post-Basic Infant Toddler Early Childhood Educator Program, an ECE Post-Basic Special Needs Early Childhood Educator Program, and a Combined Post-Basic Infant Toddler and Special Needs Early Childhood Educator program.
ECE Post-Basic Diploma
Our Post-Basic diploma is 29 weeks and includes 12 weeks of practicum experience. You will gain the skills to support infants and toddlers (children from infancy to three years of age), and children with special needs. It will also prepare you for a broader range of administrative responsibilities, including working in a supervisory capacity as a manager, consultant, or daycare owner.
Cooperative Work Experience
You will have the option to add a 23-week paid co-op to your program.
Admission Requirements
Pre-requisites:
- Grade 12 graduation or 19 years of age
- Proof of 50 hours of volunteer work with children aged 3-5
- Reference letter stating suitability to work with children
- Completion of ‘Program & Career Outcomes’ form
Language Proficiency Requirements:
Early Childhood Educator Basic certificate
- Overall IELTS Test score* of 5.5 with no component less than 5.5 for Speaking and Listening, 5.0 for Reading and Writing (or other ESL equivalencies as determined by Stenberg).
- Advanced Entry: Overall IELTS Test score* of 6.0 with no component less than 6.0 for Speaking and Listening, 5.5 for Reading and Writing (or other ESL equivalencies as determined by Stenberg).
*Must be within the last 2 years.