Early Childhood Educator – Certificate/Diploma

The Early Childhood Education programs prepares students to work with young children in a variety of early learning settings. In the certificate and diploma programs, through study of such topics as Child Development, Curriculum Development, and Child, Family & Community – as well as practical exposure through practicum placements in licensed child-care programs – students gain the knowledge and experience needed to apply for certification as an Early Childhood Educator.

Applications are now closed for the Spring/Summer semester.

Fall Registration will open in June, 2025. More detailed information to come.

There are several options of study available in the college’s ECE department:

ECE-Assistant (see ECE-A program page)
ECE Certificate: A 41 credit certificate program that allows students to obtain Early Childhood Educator – Basic certification as a licensed ECE. The program takes 3 semesters if taken full time.
ECE Diploma: a 60 credit diploma program that combines the early childhood educator certificate with post-basic “Special Needs Educator” certification. The program takes 5 semesters if taken full time.
ECE Post-Basic:
- Special Needs Educator (See ECE Post-Basic Program Page)
- Infant / Toddler Educator (See ECE Post-Basic Program Page)

Graduates may apply for the appropriate Early Childhood Education certification(s) from the ECE Registry in Victoria.

The ECE certificate and diploma programs use a hybrid model of instruction with most courses taught online.

Previous/Current Students: If you are applying for an ECE program and have taken courses at the college before or are currently taking a program, please contact the RMC office at rmc@sd42.ca instead of creating a new application. This will allow us to link your new application to any previously completed courses.

Admission Requirements

Academic Requirements:

Completion of Grade 12 (or equivalent) or 19 years of age or older.

English Language Requirement:

Completion of English 12, or equivalent, or a satisfactory demonstration of written and verbal English ability as determined by the College (View the college’s complete English Language Requirements)

Application Requirements:

Completion of Application form
2 Letters of Reference
Current Resume
Statement of Interest (1 to 2 pages)
Criminal Record Check
Immunization Declaration
Medical Declaration
Successful Interview with Program Chair

Apply Now

Term Start Dates

The ECE program accepts ongoing applications with three starts per year in:

January
May
September

ECE Certificate Program Fees

Program Fees for 2025-26 are as follows:

Application Fee: $30 (changing to $50 on September 1, 2025)
Tuition: $9,553
Textbooks extra and purchased by students.
Technology and Library fee of $50 per semester.

Payment plans are available for students meeting certain conditions. This program is not applicable for student loans.

Course List

ECE Classes Tier 1

Course Code	Course Title	Course Hours	Domestic Tuition	Description
ECED 1110	Child Growth & Development 1	45	$699	This is one of two modules in an introductory course in child development. Students will study the why and how of child development, examine current developmental theory, learn and practice narrative observation methods, and will examine child development during the period covering pre-natal development through the second year of life.
ECED 1120	Health, Safety & Nutrition	45	$699	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.
ECED 1130	Curriculum 1	45	$699	This course will introduce students to the traditional and current methods of developing curriculum in the preschool environment. The course will explore the relationship that exists among child development theories, play and learning, and will introduce students to a systemic approach to planning and implementing play-based, developmentally appropriate programs for young children. Students will begin to understand the difference between “teacher- directed” program planning, and “child-initiated, teacher-guided” planning, and will learn to create a program that will encourage play, guide it in appropriate directions, support free choices of play activities, foster creativity, and facilitate the acquisition of skills, knowledge and understanding.
ECED 1900	Practicum Preparation	36	$466	Practicum Preparation is an opportunity for students to obtain in-class preparation for their practicum experiences and is a prerequisite for enrolling and participating in practicum.
ECED 1920	Practicum 1	126	$466	This practicum provides students with the opportunity to familiarize themselves with the process of relating to and working with young children in a quality early childhood setting. Students will conduct directed observations of children and educators, and will begin to integrate the theories they have learned with the practices they observe. An opportunity to reflect on and discuss their experiences will be offered during two seminar sessions.
	One Curriculum Elective (see table below)			One of: ECE 05: Creative Art ECE 08: Language & Literature ECE 10: Music & Movement ECE 11: Math, Science & Technology

ECE Classes Tier 2

Course Code	Course Title	Course Hours	Domestic Tution	Description
ECED 1160	Foundations in ECE	45	$699	This course will concentrate on providing a context to the study of early childhood education. Students will examine the history of childhood, the researchers and theorists who influenced our perspectives on childhood, and the current standing of early childhood education in the world, and in Canada. An examination of the early childhood environment, the role of the early childhood teacher, different programs available for children, and the agencies that regulate and influence the early childhood field will be undertaken. Students will also be introduced to the early childhood educator’s role as a professional and as an advocate for children.
ECED 1170	Guiding Behaviour	45	$699	This course will examine the guidance approach to discipline within a preschool setting. Early childhood educators adhere to a developmentally appropriate approach to interaction with young children. Use of the guidance approach to discipline ensures that teachers consider each individual child’s developmental level before teaching problem solving strategies. Students will learn that a discipline approach that incorporates active learning, problem-solving, and social responsiveness allows the early childhood educator to use guidance to manage, coach and guide children in positive ways.
ECED 1940	Practicum 2	126	$466	This practicum will continue to provide the student with an opportunity to relate to and work with young children in a quality early childhood setting. Students will demonstrate their developing skill in communicating, planning, and implementing ‘best practice’ as they further their observation abilities and continue to learn to contribute to a quality early childhood program.
	Two Curriculum Electives (see table below)			Two of: ECE 05: Creative Art ECE 08: Language & Literature ECE 10: Music & Movement ECE 11: Math, Science & Technology

ECE Classes Tier 3

Course Code	Course Title	Course Hours	Domestic Tuition	Description
ECED 2110	Child Growth & Development 2	45	$699	This course will guide the student in the study of child development, concentrating on development during the preschool years. The format of the course revolves around a series of observations conducted by students outside of class time. These observations will be used during class as the basis for developing an understanding of development. Prerequisite: ECE 01: Child Growth & Development 1
ECED 2130	Curriculum 2	45	$699	This course will continue to explore the development of curriculum by examining current approaches to curriculum development in greater depth. Students will look at programs, like those in Reggio-Emilio, that provide a “child-initiated, teacher-guided” approach to curriculum planning. An in-depth examination of the Reggio-Emilio preschools, and the principals that promote their success in the education of young children, will be undertaken. Students will then apply Reggio principles to the Canadian system in an effort to determine “best-practice” for curriculum planning within a contemporary Canadian setting. Prerequisite: ECE 06: Curriculum 1
ECED 2140	Child, Family & Community	45	$699	This course will explore early childhood education as part of a systemic approach to a worldview. Students will explore methods of developing positive and respectful relationships with families and other professionals in the early childhood field. Students will also examine the early childhood professional’s responsibilities toward ethical conduct, professional and self-development, and advocacy. The social, cultural and political constructs that influence the field of early childhood will be explored with the goal of increasing the student’s understanding of the system in which the early childhood education field must survive.
ECED 2900	Practicum 3	169	$699	This practicum provides an opportunity for students to integrate, consolidate, and apply the knowledge and skills learned during their program of study in order to demonstrate ‘best practice’ within a licensed early childhood program.
	One Curriculum Elective (see table below)			One of: ECE 05: Creative Art ECE 08: Language & Literature ECE 10: Music & Movement ECE 11: Math, Science & Technology

ECE Curriculum Electives

Course Code	Course Title	Course Hours	Domestic Tuition	Description
ECED 1210	Creative Art	36	$466	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.
ECED 1220	Language & Literature	36	$466	This course will review and expand on the development of language in early childhood, and will introduce a number of enjoyable language arts experiences appropriate for the young child. Special attention is paid to the emergence of early literacy skills, and strategies for supporting those skills are studied. A comprehensive examination of the four facets of language arts – speaking, listening, reading and writing – and their interrelation with other aspects of development, will provide students with the information necessary to begin to design a language arts curriculum.
ECED 1230	Music & Movement	36	$466	Since music is often a natural accompaniment to activity in the lives of young children, these two areas of study are combined. This course examines the methods of enabling the child to become aware of his own potentials for moving efficiently and effectively in all aspects of living, including motor tasks involved in daily activities for play, work and creative expression. Students will also study effective methods of engaging children in an appreciation of a variety of good quality music.
ECED 1240	Math, Science & Technology	36	$466	This course will present an organized, sequential approach to understanding the developmentally appropriate math, science and technology curriculum in the preschool. Students will be introduced to three types of learning: naturalistic, informal, and structured. Discussion and activities will assist the student to determine how children can best explore the interrelatedness of math, science and technology, and integrate their learning into an overall understanding of the world.

ECE Diploma Program Fees

Program Fees for 2025-26 are as follows:

Application Fee: $30 (changing to $50 on September 1, 2025)
Tuition: $13,980
Textbooks extra and purchased by students.
Technology and Library fee of $50 per semester.

Payment plans are available for students meeting certain conditions. This program is not applicable for student loans.

Course List

ECE courses should be taken in order as per their tier below. Students may take courses within a tier in any order, but must complete tier 1 classes before beginning tier 2, or must complete tier 1 and 2 classes before beginning tier 3. The ECE Diploma combines the ECE certificate program with the ECE Special Needs Program. To complete this diploma, students complete the normal ECE Certificate program, and add Tier 4 and 5 as per below.

ECE Classes Tier 1

Course Code	Course Title	Course Hours	Domestic Tuition	Description
ECED 1110	Child Growth & Development 1	45	$699	This is one of two modules in an introductory course in child development. Students will study the why and how of child development, examine current developmental theory, learn and practice narrative observation methods, and will examine child development during the period covering pre-natal development through the second year of life.
ECED 1120	Health, Safety & Nutrition	45	$699	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.
ECED 1130	Curriculum 1	45	$699	This course will introduce students to the traditional and current methods of developing curriculum in the preschool environment. The course will explore the relationship that exists among child development theories, play and learning, and will introduce students to a systemic approach to planning and implementing play-based, developmentally appropriate programs for young children. Students will begin to understand the difference between “teacher- directed” program planning, and “child-initiated, teacher-guided” planning, and will learn to create a program that will encourage play, guide it in appropriate directions, support free choices of play activities, foster creativity, and facilitate the acquisition of skills, knowledge and understanding.
ECED 1900	Practicum Preparation	36	$466	Practicum Preparation is an opportunity for students to obtain in-class preparation for their practicum experiences and is a prerequisite for enrolling and participating in practicum.
ECED 1920	Practicum 1	126	$466	This practicum provides students with the opportunity to familiarize themselves with the process of relating to and working with young children in a quality early childhood setting. Students will conduct directed observations of children and educators, and will begin to integrate the theories they have learned with the practices they observe. An opportunity to reflect on and discuss their experiences will be offered during two seminar sessions.
	One Curriculum Elective (see table below)			One of: ECE 05: Creative Art ECE 08: Language & Literature ECE 10: Music & Movement ECE 11: Math, Science & Technology

ECE Classes Tier 2

Course Code	Course Title	Course Hours	Domestic Tution	Description
ECED 1160	Foundations in ECE	45	$699	This course will concentrate on providing a context to the study of early childhood education. Students will examine the history of childhood, the researchers and theorists who influenced our perspectives on childhood, and the current standing of early childhood education in the world, and in Canada. An examination of the early childhood environment, the role of the early childhood teacher, different programs available for children, and the agencies that regulate and influence the early childhood field will be undertaken. Students will also be introduced to the early childhood educator’s role as a professional and as an advocate for children.
ECED 1170	Guiding Behaviour	45	$699	This course will examine the guidance approach to discipline within a preschool setting. Early childhood educators adhere to a developmentally appropriate approach to interaction with young children. Use of the guidance approach to discipline ensures that teachers consider each individual child’s developmental level before teaching problem solving strategies. Students will learn that a discipline approach that incorporates active learning, problem-solving, and social responsiveness allows the early childhood educator to use guidance to manage, coach and guide children in positive ways.
ECED 1940	Practicum 2	126	$466	This practicum will continue to provide the student with an opportunity to relate to and work with young children in a quality early childhood setting. Students will demonstrate their developing skill in communicating, planning, and implementing ‘best practice’ as they further their observation abilities and continue to learn to contribute to a quality early childhood program.
	Two Curriculum Electives (see table below)			Two of: ECE 05: Creative Art ECE 08: Language & Literature ECE 10: Music & Movement ECE 11: Math, Science & Technology

ECE Classes Tier 3

Course Code	Course Title	Course Hours	Domestic Tuition	Description
ECED 2110	Child Growth & Development 2	45	$699	This course will guide the student in the study of child development, concentrating on development during the preschool years. The format of the course revolves around a series of observations conducted by students outside of class time. These observations will be used during class as the basis for developing an understanding of development. Prerequisite: ECE 01: Child Growth & Development 1
ECED 2130	Curriculum 2	45	$699	This course will continue to explore the development of curriculum by examining current approaches to curriculum development in greater depth. Students will look at programs, like those in Reggio-Emilio, that provide a “child-initiated, teacher-guided” approach to curriculum planning. An in-depth examination of the Reggio-Emilio preschools, and the principals that promote their success in the education of young children, will be undertaken. Students will then apply Reggio principles to the Canadian system in an effort to determine “best-practice” for curriculum planning within a contemporary Canadian setting. Prerequisite: ECE 06: Curriculum 1
ECED 2140	Child, Family & Community	45	$699	This course will explore early childhood education as part of a systemic approach to a worldview. Students will explore methods of developing positive and respectful relationships with families and other professionals in the early childhood field. Students will also examine the early childhood professional’s responsibilities toward ethical conduct, professional and self-development, and advocacy. The social, cultural and political constructs that influence the field of early childhood will be explored with the goal of increasing the student’s understanding of the system in which the early childhood education field must survive.
ECED 2900	Practicum 3	169	$699	This practicum provides an opportunity for students to integrate, consolidate, and apply the knowledge and skills learned during their program of study in order to demonstrate ‘best practice’ within a licensed early childhood program.
	One Curriculum Elective (see table below)			One of: ECE 05: Creative Art ECE 08: Language & Literature ECE 10: Music & Movement ECE 11: Math, Science & Technology

ECE Classes Tier 4

Course Code	Course Title	Course Hours	Domestic Tuition	Description
ECED 2300	Advanced Programming for Diverse Abilities	45	$699	This course will examine in detail how to plan and implement developmentally appropriate programming for children with diverse abilities. Students will learn to make adaptations and accommodations to environments, materials, strategies and expectations to meet the abilities of individual children in an inclusive childcare program. Furthermore, students will review cur-rent theory and research that will support responding to behaviour with a brain based, nurtur-ing approach. The course will also concentrate on analyzing a variety of neurodiversities such as Autism Spectrum Disorder, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder and Down Syndrome.
ECED 2310	Advanced Child Development for Diverse Needs	45	$699	This course will explore in detail the development of children from prenatal to 6 years of age. Stu-dents will explore typical and atypical development in the areas of cognitive, fine motor, gross mo-tor, social emotional, cultural and language. Students will learn developmentally appropriate ways to guide and respond to the individual needs of the child.
ECED 2120	Advanced Health & Safety for IT and Inclusive Settings	45	$699	This course will give a detailed overview of the health, safety and nutritional needs of infants and toddlers and children with diverse abilities. Emphasis will be placed on the development, implementation and management of policies, as well as the ability to respond to illnesses and injuries with a focus on preventative practice.
ECED 2150	Equity, Diversity and Inclusion for Families	45	$699	This course details resources and guidelines regarding how to communicate with families in a man-ner that highlights individual and family strengths. Students will learn the difference between a strength based and needs based approach. The social, cultural, and political constructs that influ-ence parenting and communities will be explored with the goal of increasing the student’s under-standing of the system in which families must navigate. Students also will learn strategies to sup-port caregivers who may have diverse abilities using a trauma informed lens.
ECED 2500	Administrative Skills in Early Learning	45	$699	This course will offer information on management and administration skills that would assist in leading a successful early learning program(s), specifically for infants and toddlers. With an emphasis on licensing requirements, policy and procedure development and professional relationships, this course is designed for educators who are or who will be in a supervisory or management position.

ECE Classes Tier 5

Course Code	Course Title	Course Hours	Domestic Tuition	Description
ECED 2950	Inclusion and Diverse Needs Practicum	200	$932	This practicum provides students with the opportunity to familiarize themselves with the process of relating to and working with young children in a quality early childhood setting. Students will conduct directed observations of children and educators and will begin to integrate the theories they have learned with the practices they observe. An opportunity to reflect on and discuss their experiences will be offered during three seminar sessions.

ECE Curriculum Electives

Course Code	Course Title	Course Hours	Domestic Tuition	Description
ECED 1210	Creative Art	36	$466	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.
ECED 1220	Language & Literature	36	$466	This course will review and expand on the development of language in early childhood, and will introduce a number of enjoyable language arts experiences appropriate for the young child. Special attention is paid to the emergence of early literacy skills, and strategies for supporting those skills are studied. A comprehensive examination of the four facets of language arts – speaking, listening, reading and writing – and their interrelation with other aspects of development, will provide students with the information necessary to begin to design a language arts curriculum.
ECED 1230	Music & Movement	36	$466	Since music is often a natural accompaniment to activity in the lives of young children, these two areas of study are combined. This course examines the methods of enabling the child to become aware of his own potentials for moving efficiently and effectively in all aspects of living, including motor tasks involved in daily activities for play, work and creative expression. Students will also study effective methods of engaging children in an appreciation of a variety of good quality music.
ECED 1240	Math, Science & Technology	36	$466	This course will present an organized, sequential approach to understanding the developmentally appropriate math, science and technology curriculum in the preschool. Students will be introduced to three types of learning: naturalistic, informal, and structured. Discussion and activities will assist the student to determine how children can best explore the interrelatedness of math, science and technology, and integrate their learning into an overall understanding of the world.

View the Spring/Summer 2025 Schedule

View the Textbook List. Textbooks are mandatory for those classes that require them.

Information Sessions

Upcoming Info Sessions:

Program Brochure

Payment Plans

Ridge Meadows College is committed to affordable tuition and accessible financing options to make post-secondary education more available to students in the community. As a result, RMC offers payment plans for students who wish to spread their payments out throughout the term.

Students can apply for payment plans via the MyRMC Student system upon being admitted to the college and enrolling in courses. Payment plans work by dividing total fees for the term into equal payments to be paid at the beginning of each month the student is enrolled in classes.

ECE Wage Enhancement and Grants

Beginning in January, 2024, the government of BC initiated a new program offering a $6 wage enhancement for students who complete and approved ECE Certificate Program.

In addition, students who complete an approved post-basic program are eligible for an ECE Specialized Certification Grant of $2000 (in the case of completion of either Infant/Toddler or Special Needs Educator) or $3000 (in the case of completion of both post-basic programs).

Bursaries

Early Childhood Educators of BC (ECEBC)

ECEBC provides professional development opportunities, training and resources for early childhood educators across BC with a vision for a society where early childhood educators thrive in a supportive community that values childhood and education.

Since September 2018, the Early Childhood Educators of BC (ECEBC), in partnership with the Province of British Columbia, enhanced and expanded the ECE Bursary Program, now known as the ECE Education Support Fund (ECE ESF).

This program consists of two funding streams:

The Early Childhood Education (ECE) Education Support Fund (formally the bursary); and
The ECE Workforce Development Bursary Fund Program

These funding streams are designed to increase the number of students entering, re-establishing and graduating from recognized ECE post-secondary programs.

Please follow the link for more information as Ridge Meadows College does not manage this bursary.

https://www.ecebc.ca/ece-education-support-fund

BC Employer Training Grant

The BC Employer Training Grant is a provincial grant available to employers who want to fund an employee’s education and covers 80% of training costs.

Information about the grant can be found here: https://www.workbc.ca/find-loans-and-grants/industry-and-employers/bc-employer-training-grant

Note, this grant is available to employers only and only when following certain conditions. Please contact WorkBC directly if you have questions about this grant.

Indigenous Wage Supplements

Métis Early Childhood Educators may be eligible for a wage supplement in BC. To show appreciation for the value of caring for children, MNBC has created a Métis ECE Supplement. It is designed to support licensed Métis ECEs and ECEAs who are working in licensed childcare programs across the province with a financial supplement.

Apply by contacting the Métis ECE Recruitment and Retention specialist at ecesupports@mnbc.ca.

Other Indigenous nations may also have wage supplements. If you are an Indigenous student, contact your nation to inquire.

FAQs

Is there financial assistance for the ECE Program?
Yes. As well as the Provincial Government’s bursary program, students can access funding through WorkBC.

Is the total program tuition paid upfront?
No. Students pay for the courses in which they register, not for the whole program. Alternatively, there is a monthly payment plan option for students who prefer to pay in installments and intend to complete the entire program.

How much of this program is online?
Approximately half of the courses in the full ECE certificate are online. All Practicums and curriculum electives take place on-campus, whereas the other courses are generally offered online.

All post-basic courses (except the practicums) are offered online.

Are the ECE-Assistant courses online?
Yes, all ECE-Assistant courses are online.

Will I be qualified to work in Kindergarten classes with an ECE credential?
No. All classroom teachers in B.C.’s public school system must meet the requirements to register in the BC College of Teachers.

Can I do practicum in my own early childhood worksite?
Possibly. We try to work with students and their employers to ensure practicum will not unduly interrupt their current work commitments, while ensuring all ECE Registry requirements are met. However, RMC does not allow more than one of the three practicums at a student’s place of employment.

Are Practicums Full-time or Part-time?
In most cases, students can choose from a full-time practicum (5 days per week) or a part-time practicum (3 days per week). Obviously part-time practicums take additional weeks to complete.

What level of English proficiency is required?
This program requires students to write and communicate in English competently.

Related Programs

Early Childhood Educator – Assistant – An ECE Assistant is an entry-level position that allows an educator to work in a daycare / early childhood classroom and to count towards ratio of instructors to students.

Early Childhood Educator – Post-Basic – An ECE Post-Basic credential represents additional training that has been completed by a student to specialize in a specific area including Infant / Toddler Educator and/or Special Needs Educator.

Education Assistant: Education Assistants work with K-12 students who have special physical, behavioural or learning needs. RMC’s Education Assistant Program prepares graduates for supporting students in mainstream learning assistance, resource room, English literacy, and alternate settings.