Early Learning and Childcare - Diploma
Overview
The two-year diploma program is a specialized and inclusive program for international students designed to cultivate the skills and knowledge needed for a successful career in early childhood education.
This program is tailored to meet the diverse needs of international students, combining theoretical foundations with practical, hands-on experiences in early learning environments. Participants gain a deep understanding of child development, curriculum planning and effective teaching methodologies, while also honing cultural competence and language proficiency to engage effectively with children and families from various backgrounds.
The curriculum places a strong emphasis on fostering creativity, nurturing positive learning environments, and promoting the well-being of young learners. Graduates of this program emerge as well-rounded professionals equipped to contribute meaningfully to the field of early childhood education.
Program Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:
1. Demonstrate professionalism in practice consistent with the code of ethics and standards of practice of their respective disciplines
2. Use effective interpersonal skills including active listening, collaboration, self-awareness and conflict resolution within multi-faceted roles and contexts
3. Understand and respect cultural differences and multiple ways of knowing
4. Practice from an ethic of inclusivity
5. Establish and maintain wellness strategies to assure work/life balance both personally and professionally
6. Engage in critical thinking, problem solving and reflective practice
Admission Requirements
In addition to meeting the general admission requirements to Selkirk College, the applicant must meet the following Early Learning and Childcare Diploma Program requirements to be considered fully-qualified:
a) English Studies 12, or equivalent with a minimum of 60% or higher
b) As English is the language of study in BC, students must meet English language proficiency at an appropriate level to be accepted into this program. Those not meeting this requirement must achieve scores identified in Policy 8611.
A current criminal record check from the Ministry of Justice must be completed prior to starting the first practicum. Some types of criminal records may limit or prohibit acceptance in field placement; acceptance into field placement is a requirement for program promotion.
PART-TIME STUDIES IN HUMAN SERVICES PROGRAMS
1. Acceptance to an individual course does not constitute admission to the program. All program admissions will be considered according to Part I, A: Admissions Requirements.
2. The ECCE IT Diploma program may be completed on a part-time basis depending on number of spaces available. Students choosing to complete a program on a part time basis must meet with a program coordinator, counsellor and/or School Chair at the time of acceptance to plan a course of studies.
3. Students who have been accepted for part time studies and are in good standing academically will normally be accepted upon re-application to the next term. Refer to Part II, Section B, Promotions re: academic requirements.
Promotion
1. In order to progress to the next semester, the following requirements must be met.
- Completion of all courses in the semester with a minimum overall cumulative GPA of 2.00 and a grade of a “C” or better in all semester courses.
2. Promotion to practicum will be determined by the following criteria:
- A grade of "C" or better in all required courses as defined in Part II, C, Graduation Requirements.
- Some types of criminal records may limit or prohibit a student's acceptance in field placement agencies. Ability to be accepted into field placement is a requirement for promotion.
3. A student’s performance will be reviewed by program faculty when:
- Grades in one or more courses fall below a “C”.
- Unacceptable behaviour, inappropriate interpersonal skills, and/or patterns of absence are displayed (as outlined in program policies).
- On probation.
4. Considerations for practicum placement:
- Practicum placements are normally completed within the College region.
- To avoid a conflict of interest, students are expected to inform instructors and the practicum coordinator of agencies where family and/or personal connections exist.
- Practicum placements will be arranged by the practicum coordinator.
Graduation
- In order to graduate with a credential from Early Learning and Childcare Diploma program a student must meet all program requirements with a cumulative GPA of 2.00 or better.
- In order to graduate with Honors students must meet all program requirements with no grades less than a B- and a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher.
Courses
EASL066 - College Preparation - Research Writing
EASL 066 College Preparation - Research Writing is an advanced writing course that focuses on various forms of writing that can be found in the academic and the work world. In addition to formal academic research techniques, this course will also explore practical technical writing skills needed for clear, timely, concise and accurate communication. The writer must focus on the purpose and audience as well as the form, style and organization. In this class, students will produce a variety of practical and academic forms of writing, including correspondence, summaries, instructions, proposals, reports etc.
ECCE186 - Child Health and Safety
ECCE 186 Child Health and Safety is on personal wellness and the planning, establishment and maintenance of a safe and healthy environment in programs for children from birth to school age. Topics include: food preparation and handling; planning nutritious snacks and meals; universal precautions; diapering and toileting; accident prevention and hazard identification; medication; illness management, assessment and reporting; modelling healthy practices and utilizing community health resources.
HSER174 - Interpersonal Communications
HSER 174 Interpersonal Communications provides the student with an opportunity to examine personal goals, values and attitudes; develop and practice listening and responding skills, and become more aware of personal strengths and limitations. This course is designed to help students gain self-understanding in order to be more effective in working with people.
ECCE178 - Professional Practice I
ECCE 178 Professional Practice I provides an overview of the field of early childhood education from a theoretical perspective influenced by both historical and current contexts. Learners will have the opportunity to engage with a variety of program models and structural components such as the BC Childcare Licensing Regulation, the Early Learning Framework of BC and the Occupational Standards for Early Childhood Educators. Using these guiding frameworks and theories learners will demonstrate an understanding of standards of practice and childcare administration.
ECCE168 - Observing and Reflecting Practicum I
ECCE 168 Observing and Reflecting Practicum I is an experiential course with field placements and lectures integrating theories and practices in the early years. Through engagement with early childhood educators in practicum learners will participate in professional practice; plan and evaluate a developmentally appropriate program that meets the observed needs of children. Learners will explore how pedagogical narrations inform practice through observing, collecting traces, collaborating and reflecting. Utilizing a ‘common world’s’ framework, including indigenous world views, learners will have opportunities to explore the interrelationship of living and non-living things.
ECCE179 - Professional Practice II
ECCE 179 Professional Practice II examines early childhood care and education in a historic and current cultural context. Using a variety of theories, including the bioecological approach learners will reflect on the impact of their personal values and attitudes on their professional practice.
The principles of inclusive practice when working with young children and families will be examined, and the importance of play in learning will be identified through exploring the theory and its benefits. By the end of the course learners will have gained a sense of professionalism and will be able to advocate for the profession of early childhood care and education. Current frameworks and theories will be used to develop positive, compassionate and ethical professional values.
ECCE188 - Planning with Young Children I
ECCE 188 Planning with Young Children I provides opportunities to learn about warm, caring, responsive relationships and emotionally safe, child-centered environments. The course focuses on application of theories, planning experiences and environments to support children’s development. Students explore the areas of art, music, movement, literature, and drama within the conceptual frameworks of developmentally appropriate practice, the competent child, diversity, child-centred environments, sensory motor exploration, emergent curriculum and creativity.
ECCE193 - Child Centered Partnerships I
ECCE 193 Child Centered Partnership I, learners reflect on values, beliefs and attitudes toward building warm relationships with children. Understanding of self within the guiding relationship is developed. With the use of problem-solving techniques, students learn the skills of guiding and caring for children and creating emotionally safe, respectful environments that are empowering and that enhance friendships, responsibility, self-discipline, self-worth, and maximize potential.
FAM180 - Family Dynamics
FAM 180 Family Dynamics is designed to provide students with a variety of theoretical perspectives to understanding families. It considers the diversity of families through the lenses of the life course perspective and political policies. Family formation, parenting, separation and divorce and aging are all examined. Family issues are also considered, including marriage and death rituals, work and poverty, same sex relationships, disabilities and immigrants. Policies that affect families are explored through an examination of violence in the family and political trends. The course is intended to be a foundation for further study of families.
PSYC100 - Introductory Psychology I
PSYC 100 Introductory Psychology I is an introduction to the methods, theory and practice of psychology as a science. Among others, topics will include motivation and emotion, learning and memory, biological foundations, sensation and perception. Other topics are added at the discretion of the individual instructor. Class demonstrations and activities are used to illustrate concepts. Teaching methods and resources in the course vary with the instructor.
ECCE169 - Observing and Reflecting Practicum II
ECCE 169 Observing and Reflecting Practicum II is designed to integrate theories and practices in the ECCE field. Students will observe and participate in regional early childhood programs off campus. The clinical practicum provides opportunities to practice observing and recording children's individual abilities and interests over time, and, reflective practice and professional conduct.
ECCE189 - Planning with Young Children II
ECCE 189 Planning with Young Children II builds on the concepts and theories of ECCE 188 with an emphasis on play theory, social relationships and skills, and creative and cognitive processes in children ages three to six years. Learners examine the interface of adults and children in a child-centred environment. Learners study ways of supporting and extending the interests, understandings and problem-solving abilities of young children in the areas of mathematics, science and social studies. The focus will extend to the programming context with a holistic approach to the practitioner as planner and adult within the play environment and address variations in development, abilities, issues, and risk factors.
ECCE195 - Practicum I
ECCE195 Practicum I provides the learner with practical experience in an early childhood centre. Students integrate learning and demonstrate skills in interpersonal communication, observing and recording children's responses and abilities, program planning, guiding and caring and growing professional awareness. Seminars are scheduled for reflective discussion of practicum learning.
ECCE293 - Child-Centered Partnerships II
ECCE 293 Child-Centred Partnerships II, concepts and skills of ECCE 193 are further developed and enhanced; for example, understanding of self within the guidance relationship, creating emotionally safe and respectful environments and enhancing autonomy. Students examine guiding relationships and apply principles and skills to complex situations. Students will also have the opportunity to learn about the various community partners and their role in supporting young children.
PSYC240 - Child Development
PSYC 240 Child Development is an introduction to normal child development; this course explores selected aspects of the physical, cognitive, emotional, and moral development of children from birth to middle childhood; and examines the major theories of child development.
ECCE294 - Practicum II
ECCE 294 Practicum II, students synthesize learning with practical application. The focus is on collaboration with families and community in the creation of inclusive, responsive, culturally-sensitive child-centered environments for young children. Learners continue to engage in the process of self-reflection and individual goal setting regarding exemplary professional practice. Seminars are scheduled for reflective discussion of practicum learning.
ECCE200 - Infant Growth and Development
ECCE 200 Infant Growth and Development. This course will explore child development from theoretical perspectives and will examine ways of enhancing young children's development. Conceptual themes to be addressed include: developmentally appropriate practice, the competent child, diversity, responsive caring, relationships, child centered environments, emotional safety, and creativity.
ECCE260 - Health Care in Infant and Toddler Programs
ECCE 260 Health Care in Infant and Toddler Programs includes the planning, establishment and maintenance of a safe and healthy environment regarding: food preparation and handling, planning nutritious snacks and meals, diapering/toileting, accident prevention and hazard identification, medication, illness management and assessment, modelling healthy practices and utilizing community health resources.
ECCE285 - Practices With Infants and Toddlers
ECCE 285 Practices with Infants and Toddlers. This culmination course is designed to prepare the student to work as an Early Childhood Educator with children under three years. Emphasis will be on professional decision making; designing and implementing a safe nurturing inclusive program. This course builds on and expands knowledge from the basic ECCE program regarding early childhood theory, philosophies, historical approaches and high quality care.
- ECCE 294 Practicum II will take place for 6 weeks from beginning of semester to reading break
- ECCE 285 Practices with Infants and Toddlers will begin after ECCE 294 after reading break for 12 hours per week
- ECCE 200 Infant Growth and Development and ECCE 260 Health Care in Infant Toddler Programs will be online
ECCE282 - Infant/Toddler Observation Practicum
ECCE 282 Infant/Toddler Observation Practicum provides the student with opportunities for supervised practical experience and directed observation of individual infants and toddlers as well as group settings designed for infants and toddlers. Ten hours of individual child observations may be done in homes, family day care, or other informal settings. The forty hours of Infant-Toddler Centre observations will be arranged in a variety of locations.
ECCE286 - Infant Toddler Practicum
ECCE 286 Infant Toddler Practicum experience is designed to provide the student, under supervision, with opportunities to apply and consolidate knowledge and skills in working with infants and toddlers in group settings. Five weeks in length, this block practicum places each student in an early childhood setting for children under age three.
HSER267 - Leadership in Human Services
HSER 267 Leadership in Human Services provides a basic introduction to leadership concepts. Students self-reflect as they explore the concepts of emotional intelligence, leadership style, and the qualities and attributes of an effective leader. Students create a plan for developing personal leadership skills and have opportunities to improve their leadership performance in managing conflict, overcoming obstacles, and establishing a constructive climate.
Policy
Effective Term:
FallEffective Year:
20240801Advanced Standing:
A. TRANSFER CREDIT
1. Transfer credit will be given for university transfer courses equivalent to Selkirk College courses, providing a grade of "C" or better was achieved.
2. Applications for transfer credit from other ECCE, SSW or EACSW programs will be reviewed with provincial articulation agreements and considered on an individual basis; applicants may be required to provide detailed course outlines.
B. ADVANCE OR PRIOR LEARNING ASSESSMENT (PLA)
1. Advance credit in core program courses may be granted by the School Chair or designate after evaluation of the applicant’s mastery of course objectives. See program specific guidelines for PLA.
2. Credit for Final Practicum will not be awarded through PLA in the ECCE IT diploma program.
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Re-Entry Instructions:
1. An application is required for enrolment in program courses in subsequent years.
2. Normally, students who must interrupt their program may apply for re-admission, within one year of departure, on the basis of the following priorities:
a) Students in good standing who interrupted their program for illness or other personal reasons.
b) Students who failed to meet program requirements for promotion.
c) Students transferring from another program within BC.
3. Students who fail to complete a semester successfully may apply to re-enter and repeat the incomplete semester when it is next offered. (Normally, there is a period of 12 months between offerings of a course or semester.)
4. Normally, a student returning in one year or less will retain full credit for all courses previously completed. After more than one year's absence, students may be required to update or repeat courses previously completed. A grade of "C" or credit granted in each repeated course is required for re-entry.
5. Students who withdraw for medical or compassionate reasons will provide evidence to the School Chair from a licensed practitioner regarding the suitability of his/her return to the program.
6. Students must complete the program in its entirety within 60 calendar months from the time of initial entry into the program.
7. Re-entry full-time students who have successfully completed their previous year are given priority over part time students.
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Assessment:
Grading for theory courses will be as per the Standard Academic and Career Grading Table as defined in Selkirk College Policy 8612 Grading. Grading for practicum courses will be as per the Competency Based Grades as defined in Selkirk College Policy 8612 Grading.
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Grading Table:
Other
Types of Assessments:
Assignments
(i) Students absent from a class, for any reason, are responsible for the course material they have missed. They may be required to make up missed assignments, activities, and/or practicum hours as required by the instructor if learning outcomes are not being met.
(ii) Dates and times are set for all assessments. Students are informed of the dates and times at the beginning of the course and are expected to organize their schedule accordingly. If a student is absent for a reasonable cause (e.g., illness, family emergency, adverse weather conditions, etc.), they may be allowed a make-up test/exam on the first day they return to the program (please check the program’s handbook for specific details). A physician’s note for illness, or a note substantiating the family emergency, may be required prior to arranging the make-up testing.
(iii) Students are expected to notify the course instructor before the scheduled assessment if they are unable to complete the assessment. Whether they will be able to reschedule the assessments will be addressed on a case-by-case basis. If the student does not notify the instructor, they may forfeit their opportunity for a make-up assessment.
(iv) For courses involving practicum placements evaluation occurs on a continuous basis and graded CRG or NCG as per the Competency Based Selkirk Grading Table in Selkirk College Policy 8612 Grading. All practicum activities may be considered evaluative events. Informal verbal and/or written feedback is regularly provided by the instructor and practicum supervisors. Depending on the length of the course there may be one or more performance appraisals or evaluations.
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Attendance:
1. Students absent for 20% or more in a given course may be placed on behavioural probation.
2. Students absent from any courses are responsible for the work they have missed and must make up assignments as required.
3. Students are responsible to inform the instructor in advance of any absences.
4. Students participating in on-line classes are expected to access and read all materials posted on their course site. If any aspect of the course has not been opened and/or participated in the student will be considered absent for that class.
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Professional Requirements:
1. Codes of Ethics and Competencies
Students are expected to know, understand, and abide by the applicable Codes of Ethics:
a) Early Childhood Educator.
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2. Guidelines for Professional Conduct
In addition, students are expected to consistently demonstrate professional conduct based on the following guidelines:
a) exercise personal discipline, accountability, and judgement
b) accept personal responsibility for continued competency and learning
c) assist and serve the public, client or patient and place them before oneself
d) recognize the dignity and worth of all persons in any level of society
e) assist others in learning
f) recognize one’s own limitations and areas for development, and
g) maintain confidentiality of information appropriate to the purpose and trust given when that information is acquired.
Professional Conduct will be measured by one’s professional abilities, personal integrity, and the attitude one demonstrates in relationship with others.
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3. Students who violate these professional standards may be required to withdraw from their Program.
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4. Students may be required to withdraw when ethical, medical, or other reasons interfere with the satisfactory completion of their Program.
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Other Regulations:
RESPONSIBILITIES IN FIELD PRACTICUM PLACEMENTS
1. The selection of practicum placements is the responsibility of the program faculty. Students will not actively seek practicum sites.
2. Students will not provide transportation for clients while on practicum.
3. Students will not administer medications to clients while on practicum.
4. Students without supervision of agency staff will not be responsible for clients when off agency premises unless college instructor approval is given prior to the event. ECCE students, without supervision of agency staff will not be responsible under any circumstance for children off agency premises.
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