Campus
- Kelowna
- Penticton
- Salmon Arm
Legend:
- Full program offered
- Partial program offered
Credential
Certificate
Delivery options
Full-Time
Tuition and fees
Domestic students
2025-26: 1,235.62
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Check if this program is student loan eligible. View Financial Aid and Awards
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All amounts are approximate and are subject to change.
Program details
The 180-hour Early Childhood Education (ECE) Assistant Certificate program introduces students to foundational knowledge and skills required to work with young children in a variety of early learning and care environments. The three courses in this program will help students to explore the career pathway and understand the importance of developing responsive relationships between children and adults for quality early learning experiences.
Successful completion of this program satisfies the ECE Registry training requirements for an ECE Assistant Certificate. More information about Becoming an Early Childhood Educator (ECE) in British Columbia is available from the Government of British Columbia. An ECE Assistant works alongside ECEs and/or Infant Toddler Educators in licensed child care programs for children birth to 5 years of age.
The foundation of the OC ECE curriculum is the BC Early Learning Framework. Respect for community and the important relationship we create with the environment in which we live, play, and work is embedded throughout all the ECE courses.
Students who have completed the OC ECE Assistant Certificate program, may apply for admission into other OC Early Childhood Education certificate or diploma programs and complete the remaining courses required for graduation with those additional ECE credentials.
| Campus | Start date |
|---|---|
| Kelowna | Sep. 2026 |
| Penticton | Sep. 2026 |
| Salmon Arm | Sep. 2026 |
Admission requirements
Academic Admission Requirements
- B.C. secondary school graduation, or equivalent, or 19 years of age and out of secondary school for one year as of the first day of classes.
- English 12 with minimum 60% or alternatives. Student currently registered in English 12 can submit proof of concurrent enrolment in this course together with English 11 with a minimum of 60% or alternatives.
General Admission Requirements
- Completion of the ECE Program Information and Student Questionnaire Form. Instructions will be sent to applicants by Admissions to complete this form.
- Students in this program engage actively in laboratory practice, acting both as patient/client and as caregiver in simulated situations. Notwithstanding all specific program prerequisites, Okanagan College reserves the right to deny admission to any applicant when, in the opinion of Okanagan College, there is sufficient and substantiated evidence, medical or otherwise, to conclude that by granting admission Okanagan College would jeopardize the safety of clients under student care or would otherwise be negligent in providing for the safety and well-being of clients, agency staff or other students.
Other notes and recommendations
- Students who plan to work as an ECE Assistant or proceed into further educational programming may have additional requirements to complete such as first aid certification, criminal record check clearance, and immunizations.
- Students will be responsible for costs of travel to off-site facilities for scheduled field-trips
Additional information
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