Course Delivery: In-class
Duration: 46 weeks, including 8 weeks of practicum
Start: April & September
Wages: $26-$32/hour (includes a $6/hour government wage enhancement)
Recognized By: Early Childhood Educator Registry
Articulation - Direct Pathway (Post-Graduation): Graduates are eligible to apply for BCIT’s Business Management Advanced Diploma. Upon completion, they can continue to BCIT’s Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA).
Student Diversity:
Stenberg supports diversity in our student population, and we hold one seat per program for a self-identified Indigenous applicant who meets admission requirements. If the seat remains unfilled at 12 weeks prior to the program start, the seat will be released and offered to other qualified applicants.

About the Career

Early Childhood Educators (ECE) teach children during their formative years, from birth to age five. They develop and implement educational programs that stimulate children’s intellectual, physical, social and emotional growth.  

There is an overwhelming demand for qualified Early Childhood Educators in Canada. 100% of our ECE graduates are employed in the field within six months of program completion, and many are hired directly out of practicum. Most start their career working as ECE Assistants during the program. 

Graduates find employment in:

  • Profit or non-profit childcare centres
  • Parent participation preschools
  • Private nursery schools
  • Kindergartens
  • Inclusive childcare preschools
  • Before and after school care centres
  • Group daycares
  • Family daycares
  • Other child-minding services
Early childhood education post basic

About Our Early Childhood Education Program

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. Graduates of our ECE Basic certificate program will be registered with the B.C. Ministry of Children and Family Development’s ECE Registry.

Our ECE Basic certificate is 46 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.

Admission Requirements

Pre-requisites:

  • Completion of grade 12 or mature student status
  • Passing Stenberg College entrance examination for Reading, Spelling and written Essay or the following in lieu:
    • Evidence of passing any high school Grade 12 level English course or higher
    • IELTS: General or Academic with Overall band score of 6.0 with no component less than 6.0 in Speaking & Listening and 5.5 in Reading & Writing
    • CLBPT: Minimum score of 7 in Speaking & Listening and 6 in Reading & Writing
    • Duolingo: Overall score 95-100 with no component lower than 85
    • Versant: Overall 51-55; reading & writing not below 46-50
    • Oxford Education Pathway & Linguaskill benchmark – B2 (Overall score 170 – 179; reading & writing 160 – 169)
  • Passing Verbal Test of English if EAL
  • Completion of a Criminal Record Consent Form under the Criminal Record Review Act

* Entrance requirements can be met with evidence of alternate assessments such as challenge exams, or acceptable standardized English equivalency tests as per the Stenberg College language proficiency chart. Evidence of post-secondary studies at an equivalent level where English was the first language is acceptable.

Program Advisors will work with students to obtain the following:

  • Proof of 50 hours of volunteer work/paid work experience with children aged 3-5 or have parented a child aged 3-5.
  • Reference letter stating suitability to work with children.

Program Courses

Student Support

  • Academic tutoring
  • Assessment and skill development support
  • Open study skills tutorials
  • Typing practice support
  • One-on-one student support coaching sessions
  • English language learning support
  • Online learning resources
  • Online academic journals and databases
  • Campus life events

Post-Graduation Pathways

Articulation Agreement with BCIT

This program has an articulation agreement with BCIT. Graduates of our Early Childhood Education program are eligible to apply for  BCIT’s Advanced Diploma in Business Management.

Upon completion of Stenberg’s Early Childhood Education program, with an additional 1 year full time at BCIT, you can acquire an Advanced Diploma in one of Canada’s largest business schools, obtaining skills and experiences that will prepare you for the next step in your career.

Articulation - Direct Pathway (Post-Graduation)

Stenberg Early Childhood Education program

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46 Weeks

BCIT Advanced Diploma In Business Management

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1 Year Full-Time

BCIT Bachelor of Business Administration Degree

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1 Year Full-Time

After completing BCIT’s Business Management Advanced Diploma, students have the option to enroll in BCIT’s Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA), earning a degree that emphasizes critical and strategic thinking.

Learn more about the Stenberg-BCIT Pathway.

Our Faculty

Free Children’s Book

A Stenberg College Publication

Little Sonia does not know what to be when she grows up! What will she do? Join us as Sonia thinks about all the grown-ups she knows and tries to imagine herself in their careers. Will she become a Practical Nurse like Auntie Nelly? A Preschool Teacher like Mrs. Neetu? I guess we’ll have to wait and see!

Please click below to download “What Will I Do?” in your preferred format:

Download the PDF
Download for Apple using the Books app
Download the PDF in Spanish

Watch the video below for an animation of “What Will I Do?”, and to hear the story read to you!

Accreditation and Recognition

Stenberg College is designated by the BC government’s Ministry of Advanced Education through the Private Training Institutions Branch (PTIB). PTIB is responsible for setting standards of quality and ensuring consumer protection. Stenberg College has also received the BC government’s Education Quality Assurance (EQA) designation, which is BC’s brand or “seal” of quality post-secondary education for public and private institutions. This program is also approved by the Registrar. 

Have Questions?

Ask a Program Advisor!

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