Gain the knowledge and skills to work with young children and their families in licensed childcare settings. As a student you progress through a series of interrelated courses and practica. You combine classroom learning, awareness of how you relate to others, and practical experience as you grow into the role an Early Childhood Educator.
You can complete this program on a part-time or full-time basis.
Program offerings
In-person diploma
We offer the ECEC in-person diploma program at the Nanaimo campus. You can complete the program on a part-time or full-time basis.
Year 1: Fall (September to December)
- ECEC 110 - (Child Development I) or PSYC 131 or CYC 111
- ECEC 120 - (Principles and Practices of Guiding and Caring)
- ECEC 133 - (Practicum I)
- ECEC 150 - (Interpersonal Communication: Theory and Practice)
- ECEC 170 - (Program Planning: Development through Play)
Year 1: Spring (January to April)
- ECEC 111 - (Child Development II) or PSYC 132 or CYC 112
- ECEC 130 - (Principles and Practices of Wellness)
- ECEC 134 - (Practicum II)
- ECEC 171 - (Program Planning: Creative Expression)
- ENGL 115 - (University Writing and Research) or equivalent
Year 1: Intersession (May to August)
Year 2: Fall (September to December)
- ECEC 200 - (Roots and Trends of Canadian Early Childhood Education Practice)
- ECEC 221 - (Assessing & Supporting Healthy Early Development)
- ECEC 223 - (Program Development for Infants & Toddlers)
- ECEC 270 - (Trends & Models in Early Childhood)
- CYC 231 - (An Introduction to Family Development and Support) or SOCW 211
Year 2: Spring (January to April)
- ECEC 211 - (Early Childhood Program Administration)
- ECEC 222 - (Program Development for Children with Diverse Abilities)
- ECEC 224 - (Practicum IV: Infants & Toddlers)
or ECEC 210 - (Special Topics Practicum: Community Pathways) - CYC 252 - (Fundamental Counselling Skills)
- HHS 383 - (Child Honouring in Professional Practice)
or elective approved by department
Year 2: Intersession (May to August)
Online diploma
In the ECEC online diploma program you can work while you learn. You can take the online theory courses and in-person practicum experiences on a full-time or part-time basis.
Year 1: Spring (January to April)
- ECEC 110 - (Child Development I) or PSYC 131 or CYC 111
- ECEC 120 - (Principles and Practices of Guiding and Caring)
- ECEC 130 - (Principles and Practices of Wellness)
- ECEC 150 - (Interpersonal Communication: Theory and Practice)
Year 1: Intersession (May to August)
- ECEC 111 - (Child Development II) or PSYC 132 or CYC 112
- ECEC 133 - (Practicum I)
- ECEC 170 - (Program Planning: Development through Play)
- ECEC 200 - (Roots and Trends of Canadian Early Childhood Education Practice)
Year 1: Fall (September to December)
- ECEC 134 - (Practicum II)
- ECEC 171 - (Program Planning: Creative Expression)
- ECEC 211 - (Early Childhood Program Administration)
- ENGL 115 - (University Writing and Research) or equivalent
Year 2: Spring (January to April)
- ECEC 204 - (Program Planning: Discovering Our World)
- ECEC 205 – (Practicum III)
- ECEC 270 - (Trends & Models in Early Childhood)
- CYC 231 - (An Introduction to Family Development and Support) or SOCW 211
Year 2: Intersession (May to August)
- ECEC 221 - (Assessing & Supporting Healthy Early Development)
- ECEC 223 - (Program Development for Infants & Toddlers)
- ECEC 224 - (Practicum IV: Infants & Toddlers)
or ECEC 210 - (Special Topics Practicum: Community Pathways) - HHS 383 - (Child Honouring in Professional Practice)
or elective approved by department
Year 2: Fall (September to December)
Prior Learning Assessment program
Do you have prior experience or training in early childhood education? We offer a unique ECEC Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) opportunity for partially or internationally credited students, ECEA’s or ECE’s looking to finalize their credentials in the field of Early Childhood Education and Care.
Program mission statement
The ECEC program at VIU offers meaningful, contextualized, and interwoven theory courses and extensive practica experiences to support students' emerging knowledge and professional practice as they work with young children, families, and community partners in ways that are grounded in the principles of the BC Early Learning Framework, Indigenous Early Learning and Child Care Framework, the ECEBC Code of Ethics, BC Child Care Sector Occupational Competencies, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada Calls to Action, Child Care Licensing Regulation and UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. In doing so, we are committed to creating healthy, sustainable, democratic and socially just communities.