Early Childhood Care & Education (ECEE) Exceptionalities Early Childhood Educator Diploma
Diploma
Exceptionalities Early Childhood Educator Diploma (ECEE) is designed to prepare you with the necessary skills, knowledge and learning dispositions to be provincially certified as an early childhood educator with a specialty in the care and education of children with exceptionalities.
Curriculum is based on current best practices in early learning and care, reflecting the changing needs of children and families in the 21st century. The program focuses on transforming thinking about the education of young children away from the provision of set content to the process of nurturing creative thinking, problem-solving and relationships with and between children.
Theory is brought to life through experiential and place-based learning. The program draws on the strengths of individual learners as it provides a model for supporting the development of dispositions and practices which can, in turn, be supported in working with young children and their families. The program challenges learners to co-create curriculum with children and to design learning environments that embrace the diversity of all children and families including local First Peoples.
ECEE prepares you to apply for a BC Early Childhood Educator Certificate in British Columbia. For more information, please refer to the BC Government ECE Website.
Duration of diploma program
The ECEE Diploma program is four semesters and spans two academic years. It is designed to accommodate both full-time and part-time learners. Part-time learners will take longer to complete their program. There is an option to opt-out of the Diploma program after successfully completing the 15 courses required; at this stage, completing learners will be granted a CMTN certificate in the Early Childhood Care & Education (ECCE) Certificate Program. Those who continue successfully, will be granted a CMTN diploma in the ECEE Diploma Program.
There are a number of options for provincial certification. If successful, you can apply for an Early Childhood Education Assistant (ECEA) Certificate after taking one of the required courses in either Semester 1 or 2. You can also apply for a provincial Basic Early Childhood Education (ECE) Certificate after the successful completion of all courses in Semesters 1, 2 and 3. By completing all semesters, Semester 1 through Semester 4, you are eligible to apply for a provincial Basic ECE Certificate as well as Special Needs Educator (SNE) Certificate (Under the New West Partnership Trade Agreement, persons certified in BC as ECE or SNE can transfer their certification to practice to other provinces such as Alberta and Manitoba).
BC ECE Assistant Certificate
Certification by the BC Ministry of Children and Family Development allows learners to work with young children in an early childhood setting (ages birth to 5 years), under the supervision of a qualified Early Childhood Educator.
Following completion of one of the two courses listed below (ECCE 104 or ECCE 167), students may apply for the Early Childhood Education Assistant Certificate with the Early Childhood Registry. This allows students to work within the childcare system while continuing to study and going on to complete the BC ECE Basic Certificate Program or the ECEE Diploma or other program of study.
ECCE 104 Health, Safety & Nutrition
ECCE 167 Guiding Young Children
For information about course and program planning, contact an Educational Advisor.
For information about applying for the ECEE program contact Admissions.
Apply to CMTN
Visit Apply to CMTN for an Admissions Checklist and to apply online.
Our Educational Advisors are here to help if you have any questions or need guidance along the way.
Dates and locations
| Intake | Location |
|---|---|
| ECEE Winter 2024 | Blended Delivery Terrace and Online |
| ECEE Winter 2025 | Blended Delivery Terrace and Online |
Students can opt out of the Diploma Program and after successfully completing the 15 courses required, be granted an CMTN certificate for ECCE Certificate Program. Courses required for the Certificate are marked with an asterisk (*).
| Year One | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| ECCE 104 | Health, Safety and Nutrition * | 3 |
| ECCE 163 | Language & Literacies in the Early Years * | 3 |
| ECCE 141 | Obs, Docu, Refl, and Research Practices * | 3 |
| ECCE 125 | Field Placement I * | 3 |
| PSYC 101 | Introductory Psychology I * | 3 |
| ECCE 167 | Guiding Young Children * | 3 |
| ECCE 162 | Nurturing Creativity in the Young Child * | 3 |
| ECCE 124 | Interpersonal Communications * | 3 |
| Interpersonal Communication | ||
| Interpersonal Communication | ||
| SOCI 206 | The Family in Cross-Cultural Perspective * | 3 |
| Understanding Families | ||
| ECCE 126 | Field Placement II * | 3 |
| Credits | 30 | |
| Year Two | ||
| ECCE 209 | Place Based Environments * | 3 |
| ECCE 210 | Science, Math, & the Outdoor Classroom * | 3 |
| ECCE 211 | Field Placement III * | 3 |
| ECCE 220 | Modes of Care for Infants and Toddlers * | 3 |
| PSYC 201 | Developmental Psychology I * | 3 |
| Child and Adolescent Development | ||
| ECCE 208 | Essential Skills for ECE Administrators | 3 |
| ECCE 223 | Journey to Professionalism | 3 |
| ECCE 240 | Inclusion in Early Childhood Settings | 3 |
| ECCE 241 | Supporting Children W/ Exceptionalities | 3 |
| ECCE 242 | Field Placement V | 3 |
| Credits | 30 | |
| Total Credits | 60 | |
Important documents
Requirements
- High School Graduation or Mature Student
- English Studies 12, English First Peoples 12 or Equivalent
- Criminal Record Check as required under BC Child Care Regulation
- Two letters of reference confirming suitability for working with young children, written and dated within one year of the application
- Up-to-date written submission of work history (Resume)
- Proof of compliance with BC's Immunization and Tuberculosis (TB) Control
- Comprehensive, typed written statement (approx. 500-800 words) outlining work and/or volunteer experience with children age birth to six, career goals, and reasons for taking the ECEE program
*Students who wish to complete only CMTN’s ECCE Certificate must meet the same admission requirements as those taking the ECEE Diploma program.
*Students applying to the ECE Assistant program require English Studies 11.
English proficiency is required for all students entering CMTN programs. Please visit our English Language Alternatives page to see how this requirement can be met.
Conditional acceptance
Students looking for special or conditional acceptance into the ECEE diploma program must write a letter explaining why, including the time frame needed to meet the outstanding requirement(s). Submit the letter along with your application to the Admissions Officer. Conditional or special circumstance acceptances occur on a case-by-case basis.
Need help with the application process? Contact an Educational Advisor.
| Fees | Domestic | International |
|---|---|---|
| Full Time: | 30 Credits | 30 Credits |
| Tuition: | $3,146.70 | $13,373.40 |
| Student Union Fees: | $109.28 | $109.28 |
| Mandatory Fees: | $240.00 | $290.88 |
| Health and Dental Insurance: | $285.00 | $602.04 |
| Tuition Total: | $3,780.98 | $14,375.60 |
| Additional Costs: | ||
| Books: | $1,500.00 | $1,500.00 |
| Supplies/Clothing | $800.00 | $800.00 |
| Fieldwork/Practicum | $700.00 | $700.00 |
| Total Program Costs: | $6,780.98 | $17,375.60 |
Fees are effective as of August 1, 2024 for the 2024/25 Academic Year.
These fees are an annual cost. Program takes two years to complete. Please note that these are approximate costs and may vary depending on courses taken.
Note: Travel to weekend workshops may be required at students' expense.
The Coast Mountain Students Union (CMSU) is pleased to offer Extended Health and Dental Insurance to all qualifying members. The plan is mandatory for all students enrolled in 6 or more credits or a trades program of 26 weeks or longer. Some students, including those studying overseas and those with existing extended health coverage, are eligible to opt out. Visit https://cmsu.studenthealthbc.ca/ to learn more about the plan or request to opt out. You will also receive a detailed introductory email no later than 6 weeks after your semester starts. For any inquiries about the plan, please contact the Students’ Union Organiser : Golnoosh Namazi, organiser@mycmsu.ca
Basic Health insurance is mandatory for all international students. Health insurance costs will be charged every term until students provide proof of MSP.
Career opportunities
Early childhood educators are in high demand in BC and the rest of Canada. BC’s 2025 Labour Market Outlook Report ranks early childhood educators in the top 15 careers with greatest job openings.
ECEE graduates have the opportunity to find employment in a variety of settings:
- Group daycares for children between birth and 12 years
- In-home small group or family childcare
- Preschools
- Programs such as Aboriginal HeadStarts (on and off-reserve), School Districts’ StrongStart, Supported Child Development (Aboriginal & non-Aboriginal), Infant Development, Aboriginal Infant Development and Family Resource
You may also utilize your ECCE education to obtain employment as an Education Assistant in northern BC Kindergartens and Grade 1. Municipal Parks and Recreation recruit those with ECEA and ECE/ITE certificates for children’s programs as well as other community services such as Transition (Safe) homes, Children Who Witness Abuse programs, and respite care homes and services.