BC ECE Basic Certificate

Certification by the BC Ministry of Children and Family Development provides students with a basic foundation of the knowledge and skills needed to work in early childhood educational settings (ages birth to 5 years).

Graduates from this program can work as Early Childhood Educators once they apply for and are granted a certificate from the BC ECE Registry in the Ministry of Children and Family Development. Please Note: The BC ECE Basic certificate is specific to ECED professionals practicing in the province of British Columbia only, and may not meet inter-provincial or international requirements. It is up to the individual to contact the specific Early Childhood Education credentialing body in the location where they wish to work to determine if this program meets their needs.

Students in the BC ECE Basic Certificate program will also complete the requirements to graduate with a Diploma in Early Years Education (EYED).

The BC ECE Basic Certificate program consists of 39 credits (13 courses) of prescribed online courses and 9 credits of in-person practicum courses held at BC-licensed early childcare centres (48 credits total). Most practica will take place in the Lower Mainland. Once students are admitted, they can discuss with their advisor the potential for a rural or non-Lower Mainland practicum.

This 32-month part-time program has been designed to accommodate working students. Note, students may opt to expedite the program with a full-time schedule to complete the program earlier (minimum completion time is 16-20 months).