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Early Childhood Care and Education Diploma

Credential
Diploma

Duration
2 year(s)

The Early Childhood Care & Education (ECCE) Diploma gives students the competencies and knowledge to work with children under five in licensed preschools and childcare centres.

Education courses in the diploma meet the requirements of the Early Childhood Educator Registry for the ECE Certificate to Practice; Infant/Toddler Certificate to Practice and/or the Special Needs Certificate to Practice.

Students who successfully complete an ECCE diploma can apply to the degree program.

Students in the diploma program are eligible to apply to the ECE Registry (Ministry of Children and Family Development) for the following credentials:

  • ECCE Basic Certificate
  • Infant Toddler Certificate
  • Special Needs Certificate
CapU ECCE student working with a child in the Children's Centre.

Study ECCE in Squamish

The Early Childhood Care & Education Diploma will also be offered at the CapU Squamish campus starting in the Fall 2024 term.

Career paths

  • Child advocate
  • Child development consultant
  • Education consultant
  • Early childhood educator
  • Early years program facilitator
  • StrongStart BC facilitator

Tuition bursary available

Diploma students can apply to the Education Support Fund from ECEBC at the start of each term and submit the documentation to have their fees reimbursed at the end of the term, which can cover up to $500 per course.

The bursary is offered for students in two streams: the ECCE Student Bursary and the ECCE Workforce Bursary. The fund has helped many CapU ECCE students pay for a significant portion of their diploma program.

Get to know the School of Education & Childhood Studies

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Information sessions

Plan ahead with this calendar of important program information sessions and open houses.

Upcoming info sessions

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Intakes

Important dates

Applications open

Oct 3, 2023 – Aug 6, 2024

Course Registration & Waitlisting start

Jul 2, 2024

Fee payment deadline

4:00 PM - Aug 19, 2024

Important dates

Applications open

Oct 3, 2023 – Aug 6, 2024

Course Registration & Waitlisting start

Jul 2, 2024

Fee payment deadline

4:00 PM - Aug 19, 2024

Important dates

Applications open

Oct 3, 2023 – Aug 6, 2024

Course Registration & Waitlisting start

Jul 2, 2024

Fee payment deadline

4:00 PM - Aug 19, 2024

NOTE: Important dates may change.

How to Apply

Are you applying as a domestic or as an international student?

Every student must apply to CapU through EducationPlannerBC (EPBC), a website for applying to universities and colleges across British Columbia.

Visit Apply Now to make sure you're ready to fill in your application.

  • When you submit your application, you will need to pay an application fee of $50, which gives you the opportunity to apply for 2 programs. 
  • You will need to upload a digital (PDF) copy of your transcripts and supporting documents at this time.
  • If you are currently in Grade 12, you must request that the Ministry of Education submit your transcript directly to Capilano University.
  • Documents must be in the original language of issue and translated into English by a recognized translator, if required.
Apply on EPBC

After submitting your application on EducationPlannerBC you will receive an acknowledgement message from us to your personal email.

  • This email will include your Student ID number and your myCapU account and email address.
  • Instructions on how to track your application will also be included.
  • All future messages from us will be sent to your myCapU email.
  • If you're applying to CapU as a new student, you can use your myCapU account to apply for entrance awards.

For students who have previously attended post-secondary, even though you submitted a digital copy of your transcripts on EducationPlannerBC, you must submit official university or college transcripts for transfer credit.

Please send all official documents to:

Registrar's Office
Birch Building, Room BR230
2055 Purcell Way
North Vancouver, BC
V7J 3H5

Official documents may include:

These documents must be sent directly from that institution to Capilano University. They must include the seal of the institution and the signature of the authorizing school representative.

We will accept photocopies of transcripts if certified by the authorizing university or college officer. Notarized copies are not acceptable.

Students may also submit photocopies of academic documents verified by the issuing authority. These authorities include the Ministry of Education, the high school, university, or college, the apostille* or by the appropriate examination board.

Notarized copies are not acceptable.

*Apostille countries refers to an international form of a notary seal as certified by the Hague convention. These would be official notary documents from countries such as Russia, Ukraine, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, etc. and can be accepted in place of original or school-certified documents. The Apostille is prepared by either the Ministry of Education or the Ministry of Justice in these countries.

Please note: Documents issued in a language other than English must also include certified English translations. Documents must be in the original language of the issue and translated into English by a recognized translator, if required.

An academic document is original if issued to the student by the institution following that institution’s policies.

Notarized copies are not acceptable.

Once you've been accepted into a program, you'll need to start planning your courses.

  • You will be notified of your acceptance through your CapU email and your myCapU account.
  • View our page for admitted students to learn how to prepare for your first day.
  • If you wish to receive transfer credits, please submit official university/college/International Baccalaureate (IB)/Advanced Placements (AP) transcripts either electronically or by mail:

     

    Registrar's Office
    Birch Building, Room BR230
    2055 Purcell Way
    North Vancouver, BC
    V7J 3H5

New Students

Most CapU programs need proof that you:

Every student must apply to CapU through EducationPlannerBC (EPBC), a website for applying to universities and colleges across British Columbia.

Visit Apply Now to make sure you're ready to fill in your application.

  • When you submit your application, you will need to pay a non-refundable application fee of C$135, which gives you the opportunity to apply for 2 programs.
  • You will need to upload a digital (PDF) copy of your transcripts and supporting documents at this time.
  • If your original transcripts and supporting documents are not written in English, please submit a translated copy.
Apply on EPBC

After submitting your application on EducationPlannerBC you will receive an acknowledgement message from us to your personal email.

  • This email will include your Student ID number and your myCapU account and email address.
  • Instructions on how to track your application will also be included.
  • All future messages from us will be sent to your myCapU email.
  • If you're applying to CapU as a new student, you can use your myCapU account to apply for entrance awards.
Funding for International Students

For students who have previously attended post-secondary in Canada or outside of the country, even though you submitted a digital copy of your transcripts on EducationPlannerBC, you must submit official university or college transcripts only if you’re considering transferring credits.

Note: If you submitted digital copies for admissions, you do not need to submit official transcripts.

Please send all official documents for Transfer Credit to:

Capilano University
Registrar's Office
Birch Building, room BR230
2055 Purcell Way
North Vancouver, B.C.
V7J 3H5

Official documents may include:

Students must submit official high school and university or college transcripts for admission.

These documents must be sent directly from that institution to Capilano University. They must include the seal of the institution and signature of the authorizing school representative.

We will accept photocopies of transcripts if certified by the authorizing high school, university, or college officer. Notarized copies are not acceptable.

Students may also submit photocopies of academic documents verified by the issuing authority. These authorities include the Ministry of Education, the high school, university, or college, the apostille* or by the appropriate examination board. Notarized copies are not acceptable.

*Apostille countries refers to an international form of a notary seal as certified by the Hague convention. These would be official notary documents from countries such as Russia, Ukraine, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, etc. and can be accepted in place of original or school-certified documents. The Apostille is prepared by either the Ministry of Education or the Ministry of Justice in these countries.

Please note: Documents issued in a language other than English must also include certified English translations. Only accept translations made by a certified translator.

An academic document is original if issued to the student by the institution following that institution’s policies.

Notarized copies are not acceptable.

If you are accepted into a program, you will receive a letter of offer in your myCapU email inbox.

  • You will need to confirm your acceptance into the program by paying a tuition deposit outlined in your letter of offer.
  • This deposit will go towards your first-semester tuition once you are registered for courses at CapU.

After paying your tuition deposit, you will receive a letter of acceptance in your myCapU inbox. This may be used to apply for, or renew, a study permit.

  • Depending on your citizenship, you may also need to apply for an entry visa.
Permits & Visas

Once you've been accepted into a program and have applied for your study permit, you'll need to start planning your courses.

  • You will be notified of your acceptance through your CapU email and your myCapU account.
  • View our page for admitted international students to learn how to prepare for your first day.
Info for Admitted International Students

Admission notes

Applicants admitted into the Squamish or Sunshine Coast ECCE diploma may be required to register for courses in NV in order to complete the diploma program requirements.

Transfer students into the diploma who have their BC ECE Registry certificates to practice should submit a copy of their certificates to practice when they apply, as well as complete the transfer credit form.

Apply Now

Are you ready to rise to the challenge?

Apply now to CapU

Transfer Students

Find out how you can transfer your credits from another post-secondary institution to CapU.

Applying as a Transfer Student

Returning Students

If you're returning to CapU to complete your program or to apply into a new program, please contact the Registrar's Office.

Contact Registrar's Office

Switching Programs

If you want to change your program of study, you need to submit a new application to CapU.

Re-apply to CapU

Tuition and Fees

Are you applying as a domestic or as an international student?

Tuition Fees Total
Year 1 $4,674 $1,746 $6,420
Year 2 $5,106 $1,746 $6,852
Total $9,780 $3,492 $13,272
Tuition Fees Total
Year 1 $20,930 $1,746 $22,676
Year 2 $20,112 $1,746 $21,858
Total $41,042 $3,492 $44,534

Tuition & Fees Estimator

Get a detailed breakdown of the tuition and fees for your program.

Calculate my fees

Entrance Awards

All new CapU students can fund their education with entrance awards.

See if I qualify

Term Awards

Continuing your studies at CapU? You may be eligible for awards, too.

Take me to the awards

Required Courses

ECCE 100 Level Courses

Total credits: 27.00

Required:
EDUC 121Introduction to Centre Administration3.00 credits
EDUC 159Introduction to Critical Social Justice in ECCE3.00 credits
EDUC 166Child Development I3.00 credits
EDUC 168Child Development II3.00 credits
EDUC 173Curriculum Development I3.00 credits
EDUC 178Caring & Learning in Early Years Settings3.00 credits
EDUC 179Guiding Young Children3.00 credits
EDUC 183Curriculum Development II3.00 credits
EDUC 190Observing & Recording: Thinking with the E.L.F.3.00 credits

 

ECCE 200 Level Courses

Total credits: 18.50

Required:
EDUC 240Advanced Child Development3.00 credits
EDUC 244Theoretical Perspectives3.00 credits
EDUC 251Centre Operations3.00 credits
EDUC 276Applied Theory - Practicum I3.00 credits
EDUC 277Applied Theory - Practicum II3.50 credits
EDUC 281Family, School and Community3.00 credits

 

ECCE Infant Toddler/Special Needs Courses

Total credits: 8.00

Choose 3.00 credits from the following list:
EDUC 282Responsive Pedagogies with Infants and Toddlers3.00 credits
EDUC 284Planning for Inclusive Practice3.00 credits
Choose 5.00 credits from the following list:
EDUC 349Applied Theory Infant/Toddler Practicum5.00 credits
EDUC 390Applied Theory: Inclusive Practice Practicum5.00 credits
Note: Students are required to take a total of 8.00 credits from either the Infant Toddler stream or the Special Needs stream. Only courses from one stream will be accepted as credit towards the diploma.

 

Breadth Requirements

Total credits: 9.00

Required:

Students laddering into the ECCE Degree should select a Cap Core numeracy for the university-level elective.

ENGL 100University Writing Strategies3.00 credits
ENGL or CMNS 100-level or higher3.00 credits
University-level Elective3.00 credits

Total program credits: 62.50

Additional information

C- is the minimum acceptable grade in all courses within the diploma. Students must also meet the university graduation requirements.

Students planning to complete the Bachelor of Early Childhood Care and Education should select a Cap Core numeracy course for their university-level elective.

Learning outcomes

  • Demonstrate pedagogical practices that are connected to contemporary theoretical approaches of learning, thinking and teaching in the field of Early Childhood Care and Education.
  • Work collaboratively with children, families, colleagues and community to provide relevant and responsive caring and educational experiences.
  • Use ethical pedagogical practices that demonstrate an understanding and sensitivity to local and global issues related to Early Childhood Care and Education.
  • Engage in pedagogical practices that demonstrate mastery of the competencies required to be licensed and employed as an Early Childhood Educator in British Columbia.

How to Declare

For the official publication of programs, course descriptions and admission requirements please view the Capilano University Calendar.

Have a question?

Get in touch with us!

About this program

School of Education & Childhood Studies
604 984 4960
604 984 4993 (fax)
Cedar Building, room CE342
ecce@capilanou.ca

General inquiries

Student Information Services
Library Building, room LB152

604-984-4900
604-984-1798 (fax)
registration@capilanou.ca