Early Childhood Care and Education – Certificate

Program Details

Length: 9 months

Total Credits: 55.5

Intake Terms: Fall

Delivery Method: Blended

Campus: Castlegar

Credential: Certificate

Cost:

Approximate program cost

Student Loans:

This program is eligible for student loans

Credential Received

Certificate in Early Childhood Care and Education

Overview

Program Summary

Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) students will study many facets of early learning and child development, focusing on the needs of children from birth through school age and their families.

ECCE students learn how to develop programs and create environments that are child-centred, nurturing and rich with potential for early development.

Take this program if you are:

Comfortable working with young children
Patient and flexible
Creative and energetic
Caring
Empathetic

You will learn how to create programs and environments that are child-centred, nurturing and rich for supporting child development. Our program incorporates a variety of teaching and learning strategies, including case study and theoretical analysis, cooperative and experiential learning, and practical application of knowledge and skills in practicum settings.

You will experience small class sizes and instructors who are committed to excellence in education and professional practice.

Program Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:

Co-construct an authentic, effective and relevant learning experiences based on observation and documenting children’s emerging interests, skills and development
Guide and facilitate learning developed through intentional provocations that support all domains of development
Interpret and guide children’s behaviour in a respectful and responsive manner to support healthy social development
Ensure a safe, healthy, and nurturing environment that fosters individuality and exploration while adhering to recognized regulation
Apply and interpret relevant regulations and policies in order to perform required administrative responsibilities within the early childhood field
Develop a trusting and collaborative relationship with each family that honours diversity, values and culture
Interact ethically, culturally, and inclusively using appropriate oral, non-verbal and written communication skills with children, families, colleagues and community
Develop a network of community and inter-professional partnerships and advocate for the needs of families and individuals
Demonstrate positive, compassionate and ethical work behaviours while reflecting on the impact of personal values and attitudes on the development of healthy relationships with children and their families
Promote a collaborative environment which is respectful of individual differences, encourages diversity and celebrates effective communication
Advocate for the resources required to deliver quality programs by creating public awareness and obtaining recognition for the profession
Exhibit positive professional behaviours, critical thinking and a commitment to lifelong learning that maximize opportunities for successful employment, increased responsibilities and career advancement
Participate in a mentorship relationship by sharing professional experience, being a positive role model and being an effective team member

Program Admission Requirements

Academic Requirements

Official transcripts from high school or post-secondary institutions (mailed directly from the Ministry of Education and educational institutions) showing the following:

Grade 12 or its equivalent (consideration will be given to mature students)
English Studies 12 or equivalent with a minimum of 60% or higher

Additional Requirements

Proof of a negative tuberculosis test or of a clear chest X-ray that is less than 6 months old for those who have been requested to have this from our community partners
A current criminal record check from the Ministry of Justice must be completed within 90 days of program start date. Some types of criminal records may limit or prohibit acceptance in field placement; acceptance into field placement is a requirement for program promotion.
Current resumé
Personal statement of interest (250 words)

Information on these requirements can be found in the application package.

An orientation session is required and will be arranged by the program designate.

Students applying to the diploma program immediately following completion of a Human Services certificate program, may request that the contents of their file be transferred.

Other Information

N.B. A scheduled orientation and interview session with Early Childhood Care and Education instructors will be held to discuss the nature of the ECCE program and requirements for practicum placements.
Students may apply for an ECE Assistant Certificate after successful completion of first semester Child Health & Safety Course (ECCE 186).
The Early Childhood Care and Education certificate program is the prerequisite for post-basic training programs.
In addition to usual expenses for fees and books, students have added expenses for regular travel to area early childhood centres. Individuals enrolling in the program are advised that access to a reliable vehicle is necessary as travel to centres is the responsibility of the student.

APPLICATION PROCESS

1. CERTIFICATE, ADVANCED CERTIFICATE& DIPLOMA PROGRAMS

Students applying to the diploma program immediately following completion of a Human Services Certificate Program, may request that the contents of their file be transferred.

2. PART-TIME STUDIES IN HUMAN SERVICES PROGRAMS

a) Acceptance to an individual course does not constitute admission to the program. All program admissions will be considered according to Part I, A: Admissions Requirements.

b) The ECCE, EACSW, SSW Certificate programs and the Human Services Diploma program may be completed on a part-time basis depending on number of spaces available. Students choosing to complete a program on a part time basis must meet with a program coordinator, councillor and/or School Chair at the time of acceptance to plan a course of studies.

c) Students who have been accepted for part time studies and are in good standing academically will normally be accepted upon re-application to the next term. Refer to Part II, Section B, Promotions re: academic requirements.

Graduation and Promotion

In order to receive your credential in your program, you must maintain a minimum GPA of 2.00 and a minimum of 60% or better in all semester courses.

B. PROMOTION

1. In order to progress to the next semester, the following requirements must be met.

a) Completion of all courses in the semester with a minimum overall cumulative GPA of 2.00 and a grade of a “C” or better in all semester courses.

b) Promotion to the second year of the Diploma program requires a cumulative GPA of 2.33 during the first year of studies or School Chair approval

2. Promotion to practicum will be determined by the following criteria:

a) A grade of "C" or better in all required courses as defined in Part II, C, Graduation Requirements.

b) Some types of criminal records may limit or prohibit a student's acceptance in field placement agencies. Ability to be accepted into field placement is a requirement for admission and promotion.

3. A student’s performance will be reviewed by program faculty when:

a) Grades in one or more courses fall below a “C”.

b) Unacceptable behaviour, inappropriate interpersonal skills, and/or patterns of absence are displayed (as outlined in program policies).

c) On probation.

4. Considerations for practicum placement:

a) Practicum placements are normally completed within the College region.

b) To avoid a conflict of interest, students are expected to inform instructors of agencies where family and/or personal connections exist.

c) Practicum placements will be arranged by a program instructor.

d) Agency staff will be informed if a student has refused to sign a waiver authorizing the College to share personal information about the student with agency staff.

5. Students will not be placed in practicum based on the following:

a) The student has not demonstrated readiness for practicum placement.

b) Two agencies refuse to accept the student in practicum placement.

c) The student lacks means of transportation.

6. Practicum evaluation will be based on:

a) A review of the student's performance in relation to stated course competencies.

b) A joint review comprised of college instructor, agency supervisor and student.

c) Completed practicum assignments.

In order to graduate with Honors students must meet all program requirements with no grades less than a B- and a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher.

Program Courses

After successful completion of the year one program courses you may ladder into one of the Diploma programs.

Term 1

Code	Title	Credits	Total Hours

Required courses

Code	Title	Credits	Total Hours
ENGL110	College Composition	3.00	45
ECCE168	Observing and Reflecting Practicum I	2.00	60
ECCE178	Professional Practice I	4.00	60
ECCE186	Child Health and Safety	3.00	45
ECCE188	Planning with Young Children I	4.00	60
HSER174	Interpersonal Communications	3.00	45
PSYC100	Introductory Psychology I	3.00	60

Term 2

Code	Title	Credits	Total Hours

Required courses

Code	Title	Credits	Total Hours
ECCE169	Observing and Reflecting Practicum II	2.00	60
ECCE179	Professional Practice II	4.00	60
ECCE189	Planning with Young Children II	4.00	60
ECCE193	Child Centered Partnerships I	4.00	60
ECCE195	Practicum I	4.50	140
FAM180	Family Dynamics	3.00	45
PSYC240	Child Development	3.00	45

Term 3

Code	Title	Credits	Total Hours

Required courses

Code	Title	Credits	Total Hours
ECCE293	Child-Centered Partnerships II	3.00	45
ECCE294	Practicum II	6.00	200

Additional Program Policies

Effective Term: Fall

Effective Year: 20250801

Advanced Standing:

ADVANCED STANDING OR TRANSFER CREDIT

a) Transfer credit will be given for university transfer courses equivalent to Selkirk College courses, providing a grade of "C" or better was achieved.

b) Applications for transfer credit from other ECCE, SSW or EACSW programs will be reviewed with provincial articulation agreements and considered on an individual basis; applicants may be required to provide detailed course outlines.

PRIOR LEARNING ASSESSMENT (PLA)

a) Advance credit in core program courses (i.e., SSW, ECCE, EACSW and HSER) may be granted by the School Chair or designate after evaluation of the applicant’s mastery of course objectives. See program specific guidelines for PLA.

b) Credit for Final Practicum will not be awarded through PLA in Human Services programs.

Re-Entry Instructions:

1. An application is required for enrolment in program courses in subsequent years.

2. Normally, students who must interrupt their program may apply for re-admission, within one year of departure, on the basis of the following priorities:

a) Students in good standing who interrupted their program for illness or other personal reasons.

b) Students who failed to meet program requirements for promotion.

c) Students transferring from another program within BC.

3. Students who fail to complete a semester successfully may apply to re-enter and repeat the incomplete semester when it is next offered. (Normally, there is a period of 12 months between offerings of a course or semester.)

4. Normally, a student returning in one year or less will retain full credit for all courses previously completed. After more than one year's absence, students may be required to update or repeat courses previously completed. A grade of "C" or credit granted in each repeated course is required for re-entry.

5. Students who withdraw for medical or psychological reasons will provide evidence to the School Chair from a licensed practitioner regarding the suitability of his/her return to the program.

6. Students must complete the program in its entirety within 60 calendar months from the time of initial entry into the program.

7. Students who have successfully completed their Selkirk College Human Services certificate within the previous year are considered to be a re-entry student.

8. Re-entry full-time students who have successfully completed their previous year are given priority over part time students.

Grading Table: Other

Grading Table: Grading for theory courses will be as per the Standard Academic and Career Grading Table as defined in Selkirk College Policy 8612 Grading. Grading for practicum courses will be as per the Competency Based Grades as defined in Selkirk College Policy 8612 Grading.

Types of Assessments:

Assignments

(i) A minimum of three evaluative events will occur as specified in course outlines.

(ii) Students are evaluated and graded in each subject or course topic as indicated in the respective course outline.

(iii) Assignments are due on the date stated on course or assignment outlines. A student may request one extension per course. The request must be made in writing no less than 24 hours before the due date. If the instructor grants permission for the extension the revised due date will be determined by the instructor.

(iv) Under extenuating circumstances further requests for extensions may be granted only after the student has participated in a mandatory consultation with the Department Head of Student Access and Support or designate and has presented the instructor with a written plan outlining how they intend to complete their work in a timely manner.

(v) A penalty of 10% per day will be assessed against late assignments. All assignments must be handed in by the last day of classes in order to achieve a passing grade and advance to the practicum.

(vi) All course assignments must be completed to achieve a passing grade.

(vii) All assignments must be typed.

(viii) Students may, at the discretion of the instructor, rewrite a maximum of one assignment per course. Rewrites must be submitted for marking within 14 calendar days of the return of the original assignment to the student. Rewritten assignments will receive a maximum grade of 75%.

(ix) Students are expected to write tests on the designated dates. If, for legitimate absences, the student misses a test, he/she must write the test as soon as possible with the permission of the instructor.

Examinations

(i) Exams, labs, projects, assignments, and other evaluative activities are weighted and averaged as indicated in the respective course outline.

(ii) No single evaluative event shall be worth more than 50% of the final grade.

(iii) For courses involving practicum placements (ECCE 195, 286, 292, 294; SSW 163, 168; EASC 195, 196; HSER 270, 280) evaluation occurs on a continuous basis and graded CRG or NCG as per the Competency Based

Selkirk Grading Table in Selkirk College Policy 8612 Grading. All practicum activities may be considered evaluative events. Informal verbal and/or written feedback is regularly provided by the instructor and practicum supervisors. Depending on the length of the course there may be one or more performance appraisals or evaluations.

Attendance:

1. Students absent for 20% or more in a given course may be placed on behavioural probation. If a student arrives more than 10 minutes late or leaves more than 10 minutes early, they may be recorded as absent.

2. Students absent from any courses are responsible for the work they have missed and must make up assignments as required.

3. Students are responsible to inform the instructor in advance of any absences.

4. Students participating in on-line classes are expected to access and read all materials posted on their course site. If any aspect of the course has not been opened and/or participated in the student will be considered absent for that class.

Professional Requirements:

1. Codes of Ethics and Competencies

Students are expected to know, understand and abide by the applicable Codes of Ethics:

a) Child and Youth Care Worker;

b) Social Service Worker;

c) Early Childhood Educator.

d) Education Assistant & Community Support Worker.

2. Guidelines for Professional Conduct

In addition students are expected to consistently demonstrate professional conduct based on the following guidelines:

e) exercise personal discipline, accountability and judgement,

f) accept personal responsibility for continued competency and learning,

g) assist and serve the public, client or patient and place them before oneself,

h) recognize the dignity and worth of all persons in any level of society,

i) assist others in learning,

j) recognize one’s own limitations and areas for development, and

k) maintain confidentiality of information appropriate to the purpose and trust given when that information is acquired.

Professional Conduct will be measured by: one’s professional abilities, personal integrity, and the attitude one demonstrates in relationship with others.

3. Students who violate these professional standards may be required to withdraw from their Program.

4. Students may be required to withdraw when ethical, medical or other reasons interfere with the satisfactory completion of their Program.

Other regulations:

RESPONSIBILITIES IN FIELD PRACTICUM PLACEMENTS

1. The selection of practicum placements is the responsibility of the program faculty. Students will not actively seek practicum sites.

2. Students will not provide transportation for clients while on practicum.

3. Students will not administer medications to clients while on practicum.

4. Students without supervision of agency staff will not be responsible for clients when off agency premises unless college instructor approval is given prior to the event. ECCE students, without supervision of agency staff will not be responsible under any circumstance for children off agency premises.