Location
Start Dates
- August 29, 2019
- January 07, 2020
Duration
4Terms
Course Delivery
- In Class
- Blended
- Any-time Online
- Real-time Online
- Off-Campus
- Hyflex
Tuition & Fees
Domestic: CAD
$8,497
International: CAD
$25,143
Estimated Book Costs:
CAD
$1,500
We are no longer accepting applications for the August 2019 online intake.
We are no longer accepting international student applications for the January 2020 intake.
We are no longer accepting applications for the January 2020 (Winter 2020) online intake.
Program Description
You can make a difference in the lives of children, families, and communities. The 16-month (full-time) Early Childhood Education and Development (ECED) Diploma program (formerly referred to as the Early Learning and Child Care Diploma) prepares you to provide quality child care in a wide variety of settings and plan emergent play experiences for the children in your care. You will gain knowledge in child development, family dynamics, play, and program planning that will equip you to support the healthy development of children through child-centered learning experiences.
This program combines theory and practice and graduates are eligible for Child Development Supervisor certification from Alberta Human Services.
Innovative learning lab and practicum project
The Early Childhood Education and Development learning lab combines classroom space with interactive children’s learning centres that include an artist studio, a reading centre, a dramatic play centre, and a sensory motor centre. This innovative and engaging environment supports the transition of theory to practice as students have an opportunity to engage with children in the lab space.
Practicum project
Learners have the opportunity to participate in the practicum project. You will take your practicum in our lab classroom, be mentored by Bow Valley College ECED instructors, and will work alongside educators, children, and parents from the YWCA at Bow Valley College Child Care Centre. This practicum focuses on emergent, child-centred, and play-based curriculum. You will focus on building strong and healthy relationships with the children and with all parties involved in the practicum experience. You will be involved in observing, documenting, and planning the curriculum to meet children’s individual needs, interests, and development. By focusing on the belief that children, by nature, are unique and competent, we join children in their learning by encouraging exploration and creative expressions in richly designed environments that you create.
Award-winning curriculum
- Program Excellence Award – Association of Canadian Community Colleges, 2010
- Innovation of the Year – League for Innovation in the Community College, 2009
International practicum
You can put your knowledge into practice in an overseas community working with community schools and agencies. In June 2012 and May 2013, learners went to rural Uganda. In 2014, learners went to Jamaica, and in 2015, 2016, and 2018, they went to Guyana, South America.
Scholarship for high school students
Alberta Children and Youth Services provides a $2,500 post-secondary scholarship to successful Career and Technologies Studies learners.
Flexible delivery options
ECED diploma program is offered full-time or part-time with a variety of delivery options including traditional classroom and online learning. It is suggested that learners registered in the traditional full-time Early Childhood Education and Development Diploma program to write the Test of Workplace Essential Skills (TOWES) assessment in term one.
International Learner Applicants
International Education
North Campus – Third Floor
international@bowvalleycollege.ca
403-410-3476
Domestic Applicants
Prospective Student Centre
South Campus – Main Floor
info@bowvalleycollege.ca
403-410-1402
Admission Requirements
Academic requirements
- Credit in either English 30-1 or 65% in English 30-2 or equivalent
Or
- Successful completion of the General Educational Development test (GED) test, that consists of five tests, with a minimum score in the following sections:
- Writing Skills: 520 minimum standard score
- Interpreting Literature and Art: 520 minimum standard score
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
*Currently subject to change
Graduates of this program may be granted transfer credit to:
- Athabasca University – Bachelor of Professional Arts – Human Services (60 block credits)
- Griffith University (Australia) – Bachelor of Arts in Education (one and a half years of advanced standing towards a three-year degree)
- Walden University – Bachelor of Science in Child Development (specialization in Administration, General Specialization, DUAL Infant/Toddlers Preschool Specialization, Infant/Toddler Specialization, or Preschool Specialization)
International Learner Applicants
International Education
North Campus – Third Floor
international@bowvalleycollege.ca
403-410-3476
Domestic Applicants
Prospective Student Centre
South Campus – Main Floor
info@bowvalleycollege.ca
403-410-1402
Course Listing
Semester 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.
Course Delivery
This introductory course focuses on the development of children from conception to twelve years of age, including the physical child, the thinking child, the social child and the whole child, as well as introducing atypical development. Students will study key theories and theorists in child development.
Course Delivery
ELCC1998 - Introduction to Emerging Practices in Early Childhood Education and Development Credits 7
This practicum is designed to provide students with an opportunity to apply acquired skills and knowledge from a play-based perspective in appropriate childcare settings under the supervision of the College practicum supervisor in the childcare setting. Basic health, safety and nutrition, observation and documentation, and appropriate practice with children across curricular areas are included through practice and seminar.
Prerequisites: ELCC1101* and three credits of ELCC courses*
* may be taken as a pre- or co-requisite
Course Delivery
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 Canada's Indigenous communities. Learners develop strategies to communicate their own ideas and integrate them with those of others by quoting, paraphrasing, and summarizing the work of other authors. Learners present their written assignments professionally according to APA formatting guidelines.
Course Delivery
This course is an overview of Canada's First Nations, Metis and Inuit people. Historical and current issues are covered, including languages, stories of origin, different band treaties, and current issues of ownership over land, water and governance.
Course Delivery
Semester 2
Required CoursesCredit
Learners explore principles of interpersonal relationships and communication, considering the roles of culture, perception, and listening therein. They practice verbal, nonverbal, conversational, and technology-mediated messaging necessary for effective communication within personal and professional contexts.
Course Delivery
This introductory course will explore the role of play in children's development and how play is integral to a child's developmental needs. Students will develop an understanding of the relationship of play to the different developmental stages, as well as the role of the environment and the early childhood practitioner in enhancing children's play. This course focuses on the planning of inclusive and appropriate play environments including indoor and outdoor play experiences. Students will explore a variety of play situations/materials in used childcare settings.
Prerequisite: ELCC1101*
* may be taken as a pre- or co-requisite
Course Delivery
This practicum provides learners with the opportunity to apply play-based skills and knowledge under the supervision of the college practicum supervisor and a designated mentor. Basic health, safety and nutrition, observation and documentation as well as appropriate practice with children across curricular areas are included through practice and seminar. This practicum is a combination of practical experience in a community work site and integrated seminars in
class.
Prerequisite: 6 credits of Year 1 of Early Learning and Child Care and ELCC1998.
Course Delivery
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.
Course Delivery
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.
Co-Requisites: ELCC1301, ELCC1101
Course Delivery
Semester 3
Required CoursesCredit
This course will focus on the development of creative activities and their role in providing a developmentally appropriate program for children in child care. Included in this course are 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.
Prerequisite: ELCC1999
Course Delivery
This course will provide students with an understanding of early literacy, language, and communication development. Students will develop strategies that can be used to support a child's interest and skills related to listening, speaking, reading, writing, and other forms of communication. The effective use of children's literature, storytelling, puppetry, and dramatic play will be explored. The importance of cultural considerations and individual differences on communication and language development will be emphasized.
Prerequisite: ELCC1101*
* may be taken as a pre- or co-requisite
Course Delivery
This advanced course will focus on the further examination of communication, language, play, and social learning, while exploring the physical, mental and emotional development of children aged 0-12 years. The ecological approach will focus on the observation of children aged 0-12 years. The student is expected to formulate developmentally appropriate activities for furthering development based on observation techniques.
Prerequisite: ELCC1999
Course Delivery
This course addresses leadership and advocacy for professionals working in early childhood and includes considerations such as pedagogical and shared leadership; provincial regulations; and family and community partnerships. Learners examine the attributes of leaders, personal leadership strengths, and professional identity while focusing on their skills of leading and managing group childcare. The course also focuses on research strategies to advocate for the rights of children, families, and quality care environments.
Prerequisites: ELCC1998, ELCC1999
Co-requisites: ELCC2501
Course Delivery
This practicum is designed to support the development of appropriate skills to be successful in the role of a supervisor in an ELCC environment. Positive leadership and work environments, human resource management, using observation and documentation to support caregivers, children and families, in addition to facilitating learning through play, the importance of environments and community connections.
Prerequisite: D in ELCC1999
Pre- or co-requisite: 9 credits of second year ECED courses
Course Delivery
Semester 4
Required CoursesCredit
This course covers the goals and essential components of programs for school aged children. Historical and social influences of such programs in Canada will be examined. Students will gain insight into the role of school age caregivers, while examining their own personal qualities and philosophy for working in this field.
Course Delivery
This advanced course focuses on the development of appropriate strategies and skills to provide developmentally appropriate care for infants and toddlers. An understanding of infant and toddler development and its role in developmentally appropriate practice will be discussed. The central role of the caregiver and of daily routines will be emphasized. The importance of effective communications will also be addressed.
Pre-requisite: ELCC1999
Course Delivery
This course will focus on the needs of children whose development is atypical. Students will explore a range of exceptionalities and gain an understanding of strategies to support all children within the child care setting. Students will examine the values and philosophy of inclusion in child care.
Pre- or co-requisite: ELCC2998
Course Delivery
This course will focus on an examination of critical issues in the field such as interdisciplinary practices, technology, advocacy, related research topics, assessment, early intervention, poverty, and ethics. Students will examine these issues and their impact on practice in a child care setting.
Pre- or co-requisite: ELCC2998
Course Delivery
As the final practicum placement the learner will have the opportunity to develop their own code of ethics and philosophy. Topics include seeing the child as capable, staying connected with the community and how to become a mentor. Learners will have the opportunity to research a topic of their choice pertaining to keeping their passion alive for child care. This capstone course will demonstrate their understanding of the program objectives.
Prerequisite: ELCC2998
Pre- or co-requisite: ELCC2301 and 9 credits of second year ECED courses
Course Delivery
Optional International PracticumCredit
Prerequisite: Departmental approval
Course Delivery
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.
Planning your course schedule according to availability and prerequisites requires some consideration.
Plan the sequence of your courses with this 2018/19 schedule.
Once you are a registered student in a program one of the Academic Advisors in the Office of the Registrar can also assist you with planning.
If you are taking an online course, you should make sure your computer has the following applications:
- Reliable internet access – DSL or cable connections are highly recommended.
- We recommend Windows 7 or 10 (preferred) or Mac OS software; Microsoft Office 2013 (minimum); Adobe Acrobat Reader; and a media player such as Adobe Flash Player, QuickTime, or Windows Media Player.
- Some courses might require additional software or applications packages. You will be given this information before starting the course.
- We recommend Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome, and Safari as browsers. D2L does not work well with Internet Explorer.
