fbpx

ECE Dual Credit Program

Ridge Meadows College is excited to participate in the Early Childhood Education Dual-Credit program with School District 42 (Maple Ridge / Pitt Meadows).  Students participating in the program can earn 8 high school credits and 5 post-secondary credits at the same time.

Courses in the program are (students must take both):

  • ECED 1120: Health, Safety and Nutrition (45 instructional hours)
  • ECED 1210: Creative Art (36 instructional hours)

Courses take place at Ridge Meadows College (20575 Thorne Ave, Maple Ridge) on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 6:00-9:00pm, starting in January 2024 until May, 2024.

Students who complete the program can obtain their ECE Assistant Certificate and begin work in the field!

Information session for parents and students: November 21st 6:30pm at Ridge Meadows College (20575 Thorne Ave) – Room 1028. Please email Karen LeSage, ECE Program Chair to register or for additional information (karen_lesage@sd42.ca).

Admission Requirements:

  • Be registered to attend an SD42 school for 2023/2024 school year
  • Be 18 or younger on June 30, 2023
  • Has not graduated from high school before starting the program (Jan 2024)
  • Intention to graduate secondary school
  • Have completed before the start of the program:
    • Grade 11
    • English 11
  • Recommended:
    • C+ or higher in English 10 and math 10

Application Requirements:

  • Completion of Application form
  • 2 Letters of Reference
  • Statement of Interest (1 page)
  • Criminal Record Check with the working with vulnerable sector section check off (will need ID-SIN, BCiD, DL)
  • Immunization Declaration
  • Medical Declaration
  • Successful Interview with Program Chair

ECED 1120 Health, Safety and Nutrition
Tuesdays from 6:00-9:00pm (Jan 16-Mar 12 followed by spring break then Apr 2-May 7)

ECED 1210 Creative Art
Thursdays from 6:00-9:00pm (Jan 18-Mar 14 followed by spring break then April 4-18)

**Program is expected to run again in January, 2025**

ECED 1120: Health, Safety & Nutrition – This course will introduce the student to best practice in the areas of health, safety, and nutrition, and will examine these areas within the context of early childhood settings that provide care for children (birth to school aged). Students will explore the regulations and practices that protect the health and safety of young children, and will determine methods of exploring the topics with children in developmentally appropriate ways. Students will also be examining methods of working in partnership with parents to protect the health and safety of their children.

This course can be used to satisfy the ECE Registry’s ECE-Assistant certification criteria.


ECED 1210: Creative Art – This course examines art and creative development from a developmental perspective. Students will combine what they know about child development, with what they will learn about the nature of children’s art, creativity, artistic elements, sensory stimulation, and aesthetics, and use this knowledge as a backdrop for the teaching and discovery of art with young children.