Location
Start Dates
- September 03, 2024
- January 09, 2025
Duration
4Terms
Program Delivery
- In Class
- Blended
- Real-time Online
- Off-Campus
Tuition & Fees
Domestic: CAD
$10,224
International: CAD
$28,181
Estimated Book Costs:
CAD
$1,400
We are no longer accepting applications for International learners for the September 2024 intake.
Start Dates
- September 03, 2024
Duration
4Terms
Program Delivery
- Blended
- Off-Campus
Tuition & Fees
Domestic: CAD
$10,224
International: CAD
$28,181
Estimated Book Costs:
CAD
$1,400
Applicants to the Regional Campuses must live outside Calgary in the Bow Valley College regional service area.
Program Description
You can make a difference in the quality of early learning and child care that children, families, and communities access. This four-term Early Childhood Education and Development (ECED) Diploma program prepares you to support children and families with high quality practices founded on knowledge of current research and theories that are responsive to the development and uniqueness of the children you work with. Each term, you will engage in experiential learning opportunities in your community through a practicum placement. You will grow your knowledge of child development, family dynamics, play, and program planning, through the lens of Flight: Alberta’s Early Learning and Care Framework. As a developing leader, you will gain knowledge of reflective practice, pedagogical leadership, and the role of early learning and child care in society, in addition to knowledge of child development, family dynamics, play, and program planning.
Graduates are eligible for Level 3 Early Childhood Educator certification from the Alberta Government.
Flexible delivery options
The ECED diploma program is offered full-time or part-time with a variety of delivery options including traditional classroom and online learning. There are daytime and evening classes scheduled throughout the week. The practicum, however, must be completed physically onsite at a licensed childcare program in Alberta.
Regional learners
Learners living in the area surrounding Calgary can take the program starting in Fall (September) through Regional campuses. Contact Regional or view our locations to contact your nearest campus. Program delivery is blended which includes a combination of online and in-person learning. Practicum courses include on-site activity at a licensed childcare program in the region. A full course load is 5 courses per term - students may choose to take fewer courses each term and extend the length of their program.
Innovative learning lab
The ECED learning lab is a dedicated space to explore possibilities and materials that support responsive environments for young children. This innovative and engaging space supports the translation of theory to practice.
Outdoor pedagogy
We are pleased to work in partnership with the Lawson Foundation to promote and support outdoor pedagogy in early childhood education and development. Ongoing research is informing our curriculum and instructional practices.
Transfer your diploma to a degree
Graduates of the Bow Valley College Early Childhood Education and Development Diploma are eligible to transfer to a variety of institutions to complete a
university degree. View the most current transfer agreements online.
Domestic Applicants
Welcome Centre
South Campus – Main Floor
info@bowvalleycollege.ca
403-410-1402
International Learner Applicants
International Education
South Campus – Main Floor
international@bowvalleycollege.ca
403-410-3476
Regional Applicants
regional@bowvalleycollege.ca
403-476-2233
Cochrane Campus
Okotoks Campus
Admission Requirements
Academic requirements
- Credit in English Language Arts 30-1 or minimum 65% in English Language Arts 30-2 or equivalent
Or
- Successful completion of the General Educational Development (GED) test with a minimum standard score of 520 in Language Arts: Reading and Writing
Or
- Satisfactory results on the Bow Valley College Admissions Test
Pre-practicum requirement
A current Police Information Check (PIC) with a Vulnerable Sector Search (VSS) must be submitted prior to practicum placements. The existence of a criminal record may postpone or prevent clinical, practicum, or field work placements and, subsequently, successful completion of the program.
English language proficiency requirements
See English language proficiency requirements for details.
Transferability
Transfer opportunities are available to a variety of institutions. Transfer credits are reviewed and accepted on an individual basis by the institution to which you apply. See our most current transfer agreements here.
Related Links
Domestic Applicants
Welcome Centre
South Campus – Main Floor
info@bowvalleycollege.ca
403-410-1402
International Learner Applicants
International Education
South Campus – Main Floor
international@bowvalleycollege.ca
403-410-3476
Regional Applicants
regional@bowvalleycollege.ca
403-476-2233
Cochrane Campus
Okotoks Campus
Employment Rate
98%
Training Related Employment Rate
96%
Based on 2021-2022 domestic and international students who self-reported finding employment or training-related employment within 6-12 months after graduating.
Term 1
Required CoursesCredit
This survey course focuses on understanding the goals and essential components for the development of successful early childhood programs. Through the study of the role of early childhood professionals, students will gain insight into their own philosophy of early childhood education.
This introductory course addresses the cognitive and physical development of the child from conception to twelve years of age. Learners evaluate theories and principles informing child development from a world view, including multicultural and indigenous perspectives. Learners also address the application of evidence-based practice in the area of outdoor play as it relates to child development.
This introductory practicum course provides learners with an opportunity to apply their theoretical knowledge to experience gained in authentic early learning settings. In the practicum experience, learners build responsive relationships within the early childhood community. Learners observe and work with young children, using developmentally appropriate care, play, and learning practices. Learners document their observations and reflections throughout the course to demonstrate their growth and understanding of the material. Additionally, learners adhere to ethical and regulatory guidelines and demonstrate compliance in their practice.
This first-year composition course introduces learners to academic writing and critical thinking. They read and analyze sociopolitical, cultural, and gender issues in texts with an emphasis on experiences of people whose voices were historically silenced, particularly those of Indigenous communities in Canada. Learners develop strategies to communicate their own ideas and integrate them with those of others by quoting, paraphrasing, and summarizing source material. Learners present their written assignments professionally according to APA formatting guidelines.
The course prepares learners to adopt holistic strategies to respond to emerging issues in the early childhood education field. Recognizing the importance of a nurturing environment, learners explore topics related to the wellbeing of children, families, and educators, which may include promoting healthy lifestyles, developing trauma awareness, and following licensing, health and safety guidelines. Upon successfully completing this course, learners will develop approaches to supporting children by maintaining a healthy and meaningful relationship with families and communities.
Term 2
Required CoursesCredit
Through practice and reflection, learners nuture personal and professional relationships using interpersonal communication skills. With a focus on other-oriented communication, learners demonstrate how inequities and power dynamics influence relationships.
This introductory course explores the role of play in children's development and how play is integral to a child's developmental needs. Students explore the relationship of play to the different developmental stages, as well as the role of the environment and the early childhood educator in enhancing children's play. This course focuses on the planning of inclusive and appropriate play environments including indoor and outdoor play experiences. Learners explore a variety of play situations and materials used in
childcare settings.
Through the lens of cultural context, this course provides an understanding of Bronfenbrenner's Ecological Systems Theory and its relationship to social-emotional wellbeing. Learners inform and modify curriculum experiences through observation, documentation, and reflection to model learning environments that support the social-emotional development of children. Support strategies to foster social-emotional development and respectful cooperative relationships with children, family and community are developed.
This second semester practicum course prepares learners to apply play-based skills and early childhood development theories to their practice under the guidance of a practicum instructor and a designated mentor. Adhering to early childhood research and the guidelines from Alberta's Early Learning Framework, learners critically consider aspects of their role as an early childhood educator, a co-learner, a co-researcher, and a co-imaginer, including observing, documenting, planning learning experiences, working with families, building relationships, maintaining health, safety, and nutrition standards.
This practicum provides a combination of practical experience in an early childhood setting and weekly integrated seminars. Learners must complete 200 practicum hours and 45 hours of seminar in addition to practicum experiential learning activities to meet the requirement for Provincial certification purposes.
This course provides an introduction to the diverse Indigenous Nations of Canada, while looking at the effects of colonialism in both historical and contemporary times, and from multiple perspectives. This course will orient learners to the current goals and challenges of Indigenous communities in Canada today. Learners are encouraged to situate themselves in Truth and Reconciliation and the Calls to Action, especially as they relate to their chosen field of work.
Term 3
Required CoursesCredit
This course focuses on the development of creative activities and engaging program for children in child care. In this course, learners examine ideas for the development of two- and three-dimensional activities, creative language experiences, science and mathematics, music and movement, indoor and outdoor play, dramatic play, and media. In addition, learners also explore the impact of creativity on the development of the child and how caregiver interactions with the child contribute to the child's overall sense of self.
Prerequisite: ELCC1999
This course focuses on language, literacy, and communication in the early years. Learners design literacy-rich environments following an emergent curriculum approach. Learners use quality literature and scaffolding strategies to stimulate interest and enhance literacy development. The course includes the connection between language and culture. In addition, the course explores the importance of engaging children, family, and community partnerships in support of literacy development.
Prerequisite: ELCC1999
Learners apply outdoor pedagogical theories to practice, under the supervision of the college practicum supervisor and a designated workplace mentor. The theories include land-based learning through the lens of Indigenous perspectives. This practicum focuses on observation and documentation, reflective practice, and emergent curriculum within the context of outdoor pedagogy. In addition, learners reflect on their observation and create documentation, which makes learning visible for children, educators, families, and communities. The practicum is a combination of practical experience at a community work site and integrated class seminars.
In this course, learners explore how families are integrated within larger social systems; how patterns of social power and inequality shape Canadian families; as well as how and why the family is critical to the socialization process. The course culminates in the critical assessment of issues affecting families in Canada.
This course addresses the goals and essential components of programs for school aged children. In addition, the course also explores the historical and social influences of such programs in Canada. Learners examine the role of school age caregivers while evaluating their own personal qualities and philosophy for working in early learning and child care.
Term 4
Required CoursesCredit
This course addresses the development of appropriate strategies and skills to provide quality care for infants and toddlers. The course examines the central role of the caregiver, daily routines, and the importance of effective communication. Focus falls on infant and toddler development and emerging practice.
Pre-requisite: ELCC1999
Current Police Information Check including Vulnerable Sector Search (PIC/VSS)
This advanced course focuses on the needs of children whose development is atypical. Learners explore a range of exceptionalities and evaluate strategies to support children with exceptionalities. In addition, learners examine the values and philosophy of inclusion in early childhood education and development; the strategies that promote, enhance, and evaluate inclusive child care settings; and strategies to accommodate children within those settings.
Prerequisite: ELCC1999
Learners examine the impact of current issues in early childhood education practice. They analyze evidence-based research related to those issues, evaluate the influence of early childhood legislation and regulatory bodies, and design strategies to advocate for the rights of children, families, and quality care.
This course focuses on leadership and collaborative skills for frontline early childhood professionals. Learners identify personal leadership strengths, distinguish between different leadership styles, and integrate teamwork skills into their practices. Additionally, they examine the challenges and benefits of working with families and utilize various strategies to promote effective partnerships within a community. They will develop a critical awareness of diverse family structures and engage positively with colleagues, families, and community.
Earn at least 7 credits from the following courses:Credit
In the final practicum placement, learners have the opportunity to further develop their reflective teaching practices. This practicum focuses on reflective learning and topics include the mighty learner and connecting with the child, family and community. Learners have the opportunity to research a topic of their choice pertaining to keeping their passion alive for early childhood education. This capstone course demonstrates their understanding of the program objectives.
Learners work 14-16 hours each week for 15 weeks for their practicum hours and attend the 3 hour integration seminar each week.
Prerequisite: ELCC2998
Current Police Information Check including Vulnerable Sector Search (PIC/VSS)
Be in good academic standing with a minimum 2.0 GPA
Prerequisite: Departmental approval
Program FAQs
If you have prior work experience or have taken courses comparable to those required under this program at another institution, you may be eligible for Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) or transfer credit. For more information, please contact our Registrar's Office at (403) 410-1400.
All requests must be submitted prior to the start of the program.
The transferability options are listed on the Early Childhood Education and Development Certificate and Diploma pages from the School of Community Studies programs and courses pages.
The ECED Certificate program is laid out in a minimum of 2 terms or 8 months, and the ECED Diploma program is laid out in a minimum of 4 terms or 16 months.
The maximum number of courses that can be taken in a term is 5; most often this equals 4 theory courses and 1 practicum course. Learners in the ECED Certificate program have a maximum of 3 years to complete all the requirements, and learners in the ECED Diploma program have 5 years.
Learners may choose to take fewer courses per term which will increase the duration of their program. Learners who are working full-time are encouraged to take fewer courses per term to ensure success in the program and to provide a better work/life balance.
.
Planning your course schedule according to availability and prerequisites requires some consideration. Once you are a registered student in a program, contact Academic Advising to assist you with planning.
Learners who carry less than 9 credits in a term will be considered part-time. You do not need to be a full-time student to take this program.
Most practicum placements are considered full-time status regardless of number of credits.
If you are taking an online course, you should make sure your computer has the following:
- Reliable internet access
- Windows 10 or higher for PC computers and laptops and MacOSX10.10 or higher for MacBooks
- 2 GB RAM memory for PC computers and laptops and 512 MB RAM for MacBooks
- 3 GB hard disk storage
- 128 MB graphics memory
- Webcam (built-in or external)
- Microphone (built-in or external)
We do not recommend using Tablets (such as iPads), Smartphones or Chromebooks
No, unfortunately we cannot allow learners to do practicum outside of Alberta or outside of Canada. Although you may be able to sign up for our online practicum seminars, the onsite practicum must be done in a licensed childcare program in Alberta.
Yes. We recommend that learners follow the Program Course List. Ideally, learners will take all 1000-level courses before moving on to 2000-level courses. For more detailed information about scheduling options, please connect with an Academic Advisor.
No, due to the in-person requirement for practicum placements.
Other than the practicum, the ECED Certificate program courses are offered only in an online format with a scheduled online seminar and theory courses offered asynchronously. The ECED Diploma program is offered in a variety of formats from face-to-face in a classroom to online asynchronous: days, evenings, and weekends.
.
No. The program runs on a semester system, meaning classes have a fixed beginning and ending date. All online classes are facilitated by an instructor who will pace the delivery of the material and provide due dates during the term.
In the ECED Certificate program, not every course is offered in each semester.
There are a few different ways learners can access education funds. Paid ECE’s or contracted family day home educators can access the professional development funding and release time grant through Children's Services: https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-child-care-grant-funding-program.aspx. This provides up to $1500 per educator per year for post-secondary courses, plus the release time funding. This is the best place to start.
Another option (for students already working in an ELCC program) is the Canada-Alberta Job Grant: https://www.alberta.ca/canada-alberta-job-grant.aspx.
Bow Valley College also has various scholarships and bursaries available to students - many that go unclaimed each year. Information regarding these can be found at: https://bowvalleycollege.ca/student-resources/financial-services.
Learner Success Services at the College also has a Financial Services office that can help potential students access other sources of funding as they complete their education.
Yes, there is. You must be a learner in good standing and meet the following criteria:
- satisfactory academic standing (2.0 GPA, C Grade, 64-66% minimum for the ECED program) and are not on academic probation under the Academic Continuance and Graduation Policy. GPA calculation tool can be found here: https://bowvalleycollege.ca/student-resources/academic-services/gpa-calculation
- not subject to any current active sanctions under the Learner Code of Conduct Policy
- no overdue amounts owing to the College under the Learner Financial Accounts Policy
- not under probation or suspension under the Academic Honesty Policy and have not received an academic dishonesty sanction within the last 6 months
- not subject to a current sanction under any other College policies
All college policies can be found at: https://bowvalleycollege.ca/student-resources/student-forms-and-policies