Description:
The Aboriginal Early Childhood Education Certificate is designed to introduce a flexible framework to address the need for skilled Early Childhood Educators with relevant theoretical and practical knowledge of Aboriginal settings. Aboriginal Early Childhood Education fulfils the requirements for basic certification in Early Childhood Education. The outcomes assure that students will meet articulated standards upon graduation from the program.
The emphasis is on developing capacity for qualified Early Childhood
Educators and to meet the demands of a growing population of Aboriginal children.
The Aboriginal Early Childhood Education Partnership program meets provincial training requirements for Early Childhood Educators in the province of British Columbia. In addition to the education requirements, individuals must also complete 500 hours of work experience in the field under the direction of a licensed Early Childhood Educator to qualify for a License to Practice as an Early Childhood Educator. For additional information regarding provincial training requirements and career prospects, students may visit the Early Childhood Educator Registry website.
Certification:
Early Childhood Education Certificate (50 credits)
Program Contact: Kathy Handley or Human Development, Education and Care Department
Dean: Steve Roe
Admission Requirements:
All applicants to programs at Northern Lights College must complete an NLC Application for Admission (specify the program for which you are applying), and pay a one-time application fee. Your application will not be processed without this fee unless you already have an NLC student number.
Program specific admission criteria include:
- Completed questionnaire
- Official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended. Official transcripts are sealed by the sending institution, and must be received by the Human Development/Education and Care Department in unopened (sealed) condition
- A comprehensive letter stating your background, interest, and goals for taking the Aboriginal Early Childhood Education Partnership Program
- Two current letters of reference (must be written and dated within the last year), attesting to the applicant's personal suitability for working with young children
AND
- Grade 12 completion, with Grade 12 English or English 12 First Peoples (minimum C)
OR
- Career and College Preparation (Adult Basic Education) Advanced Certificate plus ENGL050 (Provincial/Grade 12) with a minimum “C” grade
OR
- General Educational Development (GED) Certificate plus completion of an English assessment, administered by the College (English upgrading may be required before entering the program)
OR
- Mature Student status plus completion of an English assessment, administered by the College (English upgrading may be required before entering the program)
Entrance to the Aboriginal Early Childhood Education Partnership Program will be based on a first qualified first accepted model.
All Early Childhood Education/Aboriginal Early Childhood Education students must obtain a Criminal Record Check (CRC) through the Criminal Records Review program at the British Columbia Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General. Students must provide any Early Childhood Education (ECE) setting they will be visiting, or participating in, with a copy of their Criminal Record Check clearance (Schedule F - 12 month Short Term Registry category). For more information about costs for CRC's visit their website.
Note: A search which identifies relevant criminal convictions may prevent students from entering into a practicum setting. Students who cannot complete the practicum components cannot graduate from the program.
Program Length (Weeks): 38 weeks for full-time students
Program Length (Hours): 1,010 (570 course work; 440 practicum placement)
Program Intake Start:
Full-time: September to June, September to August, or January to December. A 10-month, full-time Certificate program is possible with a September start and June completion. The duration of study for the certificate program with an intake date, other than September, will vary in length due to course offerings schedules and student course selection.
Part-time: Students may begin their studies in September, January or April, and may take up to 10 years to complete.
Available Seats: Based on Capacity. Note: 15 seats in the Aboriginal Early Childhood Education program are reserved for Aboriginal learners (self declared) who meet the entrance requirements. Aboriginal ancestry is not a requirement for this program.
Application Deadline: May 1 for September intake; October 1 for January intake; and February 1 for April intake.
Career Prospects:
- Early Childhood Educator in a licensed group childcare centre (30 months to 5 years) or preschool, Program Supervisor, Assistant Director or Director of a preschool or school age centre, Nursery School Director, Family Child Care Provider, Child Development Counsellor, Family Resource Centre Coordinator, Child Care Co-ordinator, Early Childhood Education Researcher, Strong Start Facilitator.
- Daycare programs, Young Parent Programs, Drop in Programs, Home Visit Programs, Provincial Licensing Officer, Holiday Destination Children's Program worker, Child Advocate, Nanny, Respite Provider.
Affiliations:
College of New Caledonia, Northwest Community College, Yukon College
Additional Requirements and Supplies:
- Students must provide documentation of successful completion of a First Aid course, accepted by the Provincial Early Registry, before they begin the first practicum. The student’s First Aid certification must remain valid for each practicum placement.
- Documents certifying current immunization, TB screening, and a health examination are required. These must be on official College forms (supplied with acceptance), and must be submitted before the program starts.
- Proof of application for a criminal record search must also be provided. Northern Lights College requires criminal record searches for those applying to program areas that involve working with children or other vulnerable persons. Applicants must undergo two searches, one through the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and one through the Attorney General’s Office. The cost is the student's responsibility. A search which identifies relevant criminal convictions may prevent students from entering into a practicum setting. Students who cannot complete the practicum components cannot graduate from the program.
Eligibility for Canada Student Loans: Yes
Visit StudentAid BC to apply for financial assistance online.
Required Minimum Grade: 60% (C)
Residency Requirements: 25%
Location: Distributed delivery - the entire program is completed through distance education using a blended model including online and teleconference modes of delivery.
Students complete practica within their own communities provided the options exist for acceptable placements. Students unable to locate suitable practicum placements in their own community, may need to relocate to another community for one or more of the practica.
Face-to-face offerings are available within the Northern Lights College Region (contingent on student enrollment or special project offering).
Courses: