Our Early Childhood Education Assistant program offers a fast, focused route into early childhood education in British Columbia. In 2–4 weeks, you can complete one approved course in child development, positive guidance, or health, safety and nutrition, then apply for ECEA certification through the B.C. ECE Registry.
Successful course completion qualifies you to apply for certification. The B.C. ECEA Registry reviews each complete application and makes the final certification decision.
Program Overview
In this program, you will build a strong foundation in early childhood education and develop practical skills to support young learners. Complete the training in 2–4 weeks and qualify for Early Childhood Educator Assistant (ECEA) certification in British Columbia.
English Admission Requirement
Our English for Academic Purposes course is available in Vancouver and Kelowna. It can help you prepare for the academic reading, writing and communication this certificate requires. Contact our Admissions Team when you are unsure whether your current English level meets the requirement.
Academic Admission Requirement
Additional Requirements
Because you will work directly with young children during your practicums, this program carries screening requirements that our shorter programs do not. Start these early. The criminal record check and TB test can take several weeks, and we cannot confirm your seat until the full file is complete.
| Tuition & Fees | |
|---|---|
| Tuition (Domestic): | $2,000 |
| Tuition (International): | $2,400 |
| Application Fee (Domestic): | $150 |
| Application Fee (International): | $250 |
| Student Services Fee: | $250 |
Textbooks are not included and must be purchased separately. Our ECE Textbook List lists out what you will need. Published 2026 rates apply to registrations received during the stated fee period. Review our current Tuition and Fees before submitting payment or finalising your budget.
Domestic students should also look at the B.C. government’s ECE Education Support Fund and bursary options, which cover tuition costs for eligible students. Ask our Admissions Team what is currently open.
program Highlights:
School Support services
Upon the completion of the program, graduates will have the ability to:
Career Opportunities
Possible job titles include Early Childhood Educator, Early Childhood Education Assistant, early childhood program coordinator, preschool teacher and daycare supervisor.
Early childhood education is one of the top ten care economy occupations in British Columbia.
Average Salary Per Year
Source: 2025 job bank wage
Job Outlook in BC
Source: WORKBC.CA
| Occupations | New Job Openings (2025 – 2035) |
Median Wage Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Early childhood educators and assistants (NOC 4214) |
13,010 | $24/hr |
Read that median with the grouping in mind. WorkBC notes that the occupational code combines educators and assistants, and that assistants are paid less, which pulls the reported figure down. Certified ECEs generally sit above it, and the province’s ECE Wage Enhancement adds an hourly top-up for those who qualify.
Actual compensation depends on certification level, experience, location, employer and responsibilities. Employment is not guaranteed.
An Early Childhood Education Assistant supports the care, learning, development and well-being of young children under the supervision of a certified Early Childhood Educator.
The short format allows you to complete an approved ECE course without immediately committing to an 11-month certificate.
Two course options run for two weeks and include 50 instructional hours. The child growth and development course runs for four weeks and includes 100 hours.
Classes run Monday to Friday from 4:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. This schedule may suit students balancing daytime responsibilities, although regular attendance and concentrated evening study remain essential.
You can focus on:
We provide guidance with course selection, academic planning, B.C. ECEA certification preparation and the application process. Certification is issued by the B.C. ECE Registry and is not automatically issued through course completion.
Our ECEA pathway provides three course options. Successfully completing one course can satisfy the education component for an initial B.C. ECEA certification application.
The program takes 2–4 weeks. EC1200 and EC1300 run for two weeks, while EC1100 runs for four weeks.
No. Our current ECEA courses are delivered in person at our Vancouver location.
No. Successful completion makes you eligible to apply. The B.C. ECE Registry reviews the complete application and issues certification when all requirements are satisfied.
Choose:
No practicum is listed for this 2 to 4 week program.
You need EAP 300 with a final grade of at least 75%, IELTS 6.0+, or TOEFL iBT 79+.
Yes. International tuition is currently CAD $2,400, plus the international application fee, student services fee and textbook costs.
Confirm your individual immigration and study-authorisation requirements before enrolling.
Certified ECEAs work under the supervision of a certified Early Childhood Educator. Possible settings include daycares, preschools, community centres, family-resource programs and before- or after-school services. You cannot lead a program independently with an ECEA certificate, and employment is not guaranteed.
Yes. EC1100, EC1200 and EC1300 are included in our full ECE curriculum. Review the complete ECE admission requirements and speak with us about the appropriate next step.
The certificate normally expires five years after issue. Renewal requires satisfaction of the current Registry requirements, including relevant work experience and another recognised ECE course.
