Early Childhood Education Assistant (ECEA)

Program Overview

Early Childhood Educators (ECEs) play a critical role in providing education and care for young children. ECE Assistants work alongside ECEs and/or Infant Toddler Educators in licensed child care programs for children.

This program provides knowledge and skills contained in selected courses in: child growth and development; guiding behaviour; and, health safety and nutrition.

PLEASE NOTE THAT

To apply for a Early Childhood Educator Assistant license and graduate from the program, a minimum of one course of a basic early childhood education training program must be completed:

(i) child growth and development , or

(ii) child health, safety and nutrition, or

(iii) child guidance

As RMC is not registered with the ECE registry, graduating students will be required to submit documentation for review prior to being licensed by the province (case by case). Please refer to the

Certification Procedure tab for detailed procedure.

Admission Requirements

  • High school graduation or equivalent (ie GED)
  • 18 years of age
  • Applicants must successfully complete an admissions interview to determine if they are:
    • of good character
    • have the personality, ability and temperament necessary to manage or work with children.
  • Applicants must demonstrate English proficiency through with prior education in English at grade 10 level or higher or through an English language assessment (IELTS 5.5 or equivalent).

Course Outline

COURSE #COURSE NAMEHOURS
ECEA1Child Growth and Development100
ECEA2Child Health, Safety and Nutrition60
ECEA3Child Guidance60

Tuition and Duration

StatusDoes Not Require PTA Approval
CredentialCertificate
NOC CodeNOC 4214 - Early childhood educators and assistants
CIP CodeNot Applicable
DurationECEA1
Hours: 100
Weeks Full-Time: 5
Weeks Part-Time: 6.5

ECEA2
Hours: 60
Weeks Full-Time: 3
Weeks Part-Time: 4

ECEA3
Hours: 60
Weeks Full-Time: 3
Weeks Part-Time: 4
ScheduleFull Time or Part Time
Delivery MethodIn-Class
Online
Blended
Language of InstructionEnglish
Tuition & FeesDomestic StudentsInternational Students
Tuition: $990/CourseTuition: $990/Course
Application Fee: $250Application Fee: $250
Administration Fee: $350Administration Fee: $350

After successful completion of the program, to work in BC as an ECE assistant, the applicant must:

  • (a) submit an application to the director of the Early Childhood Educator (ECE) Registry. 
  • (b) demonstrate to the satisfaction of the director that the applicant 
    • is of good character
    • has the personality, ability and temperament necessary to manage or work with children
    • has the training and experience, completed within the previous 5 years, to be an early childhood educator assistant, and
    • demonstrates the skills necessary to be an early childhood educator assistant.
  • (c) submit the course outline to the director. 

This  fulfills the requirement under section 28 of the Community Care and Assisted Living Act.

This certificate needs to be renewed every 5 years.

Please note that this program does not count for the renewal for an  ECE Assistant License to Practice.

Other Canadian provinces may have different requirements.

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