Early Childhood Education — certificate

FEATURES:

• Practicum provides work experience and industry contacts
• Designed for students and working professionals, with core courses offered in the afternoon/evening and some weekends.
• The program will be offered at the Mission campus in Fall 2025. The Fall 2024 Chilliwack cohort will stay in Chilliwack.

Please note: Starting Fall 2025, ECE will be taking place at the Mission campus.

For those not in the ECE program but are interested in taking an ECE course, please fill out the pre-requisite waiver.

UFV’s Early Childhood Education (ECE) certificate program is an excellent basis to pursue a career working with young children.

Designed for both students coming out of high school and those already in the workforce, this four-semester program consists of courses in communications and interpersonal development. You'll learn the curriculum for early childhood education in BC.

In the first and second semesters, you explore the theories and current trends in physical and cognitive development. You'll evaluate the influence of social factors in development. Furthermore, you'll learn various methods of recording that have been created by studying how children develop socially, through play, language, motor skills, and cognition.

In the third and fourth semesters, you also complete a 200-hour introductory practicum. You'll reflect and complete a 200-hour advanced practicum. You are expected to put ECE theories into practice. This means you'll document your experience and apply advanced skills and knowledge in parent interaction, self-evaluation, and peer evaluation. 

Students can choose to complete the program in more than four semesters if needed.

During your program, you will also need to pass a basic first aid course offered in your community. When both your ECE program and first aid are complete, you can apply to the Provincial Licensing Board of BC for a basic license as an early childhood educator.

View the Early Childhood Education certificate program outline in the UFV Academic Calendar.

Your career in ECE will give you a chance to fill a meaningful and fulfilling role in society.

As a graduate you may seek employment in:

• daycares, preschools, and nursery schools
• special needs centres
• the public school system
• infant/toddler centres

Recent shifts in society mean the early years education field is growing, with more demand for the care of young children.

Career opportunities for early childhood educators span a range of field settings and areas of practice. Career opportunities also exist with community services, governmental organizations, hospitals, and parks and recreation departments.

1. Suitability to work with children.
2. Secondary school graduation or equivalent.
3. Prerequisites for ENGL 105.

View the Early Childhood Education Certificate entrance requirements in the UFV Academic Calendar.

This program is open for international students

• How to apply

Apply to Qualifying Studies if you do not currently meet the Early Childhood Education certificate entry requirements in order to upgrade your qualifications for future admissions.

Upgrading English courses

The entrance requirements to the Early Childhood Education certificate programs include minimum grades in English courses. There are several options to upgrade your English, including UFV CMNS 099 or ENGL 099 with a grade of C or better, UFV ENGL 081 or 091 with a grade of C+ or better, or UFV ESL WG84 with a grade of C+ or better.