Indigenous Early Childhood Education Diploma
Program Description
This is an 8-month diploma program specialising in Infant, Toddler, and/or Special Needs. It supports and promotes Indigenous Peoples’ worldview about their children and increases knowledge in child development related to infant and toddlers, and special needs. The program is rooted in the Indigenous perspectives and wisdom of child rearing and traditional ways of contributing to and relying on the community.
Students will acquire the necessary skills and competencies for successful and multidirectional career paths in ECE. Course content includes Indigenous approaches to childrearing; learning how to put the BC Early Learning Framework (ELF) and the Indigenous Early Learning and Child Care Framework (IELCC) into practice; and how to support and promote Indigenous children’s identity development and connections with their Nation’s cultural practices and traditions.
Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of Indigenous Early Childhood Educator Certificate, the learner will be able to
2. Connect Indigenous infants and toddlers to cultural practices, traditions, and knowledges related to their Nations and Peoples
1. Think critically about the ongoing history of settler-colonialism in ECE, and learn how to decolonize the practice of caring for and working with infants, toddlers, and children with support needs
3.Create engaging lesson plans for activities and circle time, with focuses on supporting childhood disabilities and healthy developmen
4.Respond to, develop, and design emergent curriculum based on children’s interests and aligned with the BC Early Learning Framework and the Indigenous Early Learning and Child Care Framework (IELLC
5. Collect strategies for supporting new parents and families with newborns
5. Learn how to implement teaching practices that are inclusive and responsive to children’s diverse communication and learning styles, needs, and background
Get the hands-on training you need to make a difference in the lives of children.Infant-Toddler and Special Needs Educators are in high demand. Many early learning centres are actively seeking and willing to hire professionals in the field.
Apply to a path to a high-level meaningful career that improves Indigenous Children’s lives Next ECE Diploma intake is in September 2023
Occupation upon Completion
Students who obtain their ITE and SNE Certificates can work independently or as the lead educator in licenced ECE centres with children ranging in age from birth to five years.
Course Descriptions
ECE 101 Child Growth & Development 1 3 credits
ECE 102 ECE Theoretical Foundations 3 credits
ECE 103 Arts & Music 3 credits
ECE 113 Health, Safety & Nutrition 3 credits
ECE 120 BC Early Learning Framework 3 credits
ECE 115 Practicum Seminar 1 2 credits
Winter Semester
ECE 111 Guiding & Caring 3 credits
ECE 112 Child Growth & Development 2 3 credits
ECE 116 Block Practicum 1 6 credits
ECE 121 Family & Community Relations 3 credits
ECE 123 Language & Literacy 3 credits
Spring Semester
ECE 122 STEM 3 credits
ECE 125 Practicum Seminar 2 2 credits
ECE 126 Block Practicum 2 6 credits
ECE 128 Advocacy 3 credits
Locations of the program
All classes are offered at the NEC campus. Classes are scheduled from 9am-4pm, with a mid-morning and mid-afternoon break and a 1-hour lunch break every day.
Students are responsible for commuting to practicum placement locations, but student preference for practicum locations will be considered. Practicums within Indigenous communities is encouraged. Ideally, students spend the same amount of hours per day at practicum as they would in regular class.
Admission Requirements, Fees & Tuition
- Transcript with Grade 12 completion
- Two Reference Letters
- Ability to pass CRC
- TB test Negative
- Doctor’s note of good health and mental and physical fitness to work with young children
- 19 years old or older
- Written assessment with 60% or higher
- Two Reference Letters
- Ability to pass CRC
- TB test Negative
- Doctor’s note of good health and mental and physical fitness to work with young children
If you do not have your High school transcript, and CAAT assessment documents, you can do the exams at NEC
Tuition: | $5,350.00 |
Fees: | $150.00 |
Books: | $2010.00 |
Lab: | $200.00 |
UPass: | $495.00 |
Total Cost: | $8,205.00 |
The sooner you apply, the better your chances for scholarships
Apply now for Fall Intake 2023
