The Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) Program at Northern Lights College (NLC) provides opportunities to develop the knowledge and skills necessary to work with young children and their families in early learning settings in British Columbia. A variety of delivery methods enables students to remain in their home communities and to integrate theoretical and practical experiences through full- or part-time studies. The program prepares students to apply for various BC ECE Registry certificates to practice.

Career Prospects

- After successful completion of one of HDEC 101, 102, or 103 with a minimum grade of “C,” students may apply to the BC ECE Registry for an Early Childhood Educator Assistant (ECEA) Certificate.
- After completing the first 15 courses listed under “Required Courses” below, students may apply to the BC ECE Registry for an Early Childhood Educator (ECE) Certificate.
- Students who complete the full NLC ECEC Diploma will be eligible to apply to the BC ECE Registry for both an Early Childhood Educator Certificate and an Infant and Toddler Educator (ITE) Certificate or a Special Needs Educator (SNE) Certificate depending on their selection of a final practicum course.
- NLC diploma graduates may complete the alternate final practicum course as ongoing professional development in order to apply for the remaining BC ECE Registry certificate to practice. 
- For up-to-date information on licensing requirements, including an additional required 500 hours of work experience (post diploma), please visit http://www.mcf.gov.bc.ca/childcare/ece/ .
- Early Childhood Educators with BC ECE Registry certificates to practice may be employed as educators, supervisors, managers, directors, or administrators of licensed group childcare centers; in Aboriginal early care and learning programs; or in strong start programs, young parent programs, drop-in programs, home visit programs, licensed family centers, out of school care, or preschool programs.
- Early Childhood Educators have also found employment as supported child development workers, holiday destination children's program workers, nannies, and respite providers.
- With additional relevant education (e.g., a Child and Youth Care Degree, Social Work Degree, or an Early Childhood Education graduate degree), Early Childhood Educators may find work as child development counsellors, family resource center coordinators, child care resource and referral consultants/co-ordinators, licensing officers, ECE researchers, or ECE instructors.

A. Standard admission requirements are as follows:
1. Completion of a Northern Lights College Application Form and payment of the related fee.
2. Copy of government-issued ID with current full legal name.
3a. international students and domestic students who received their secondary education in French or in a language other than English require minimum IELTs Academic scores of 6.0 overall with no band less than 6.0. On-campus students who received their secondary education in a language other than English are strongly encouraged attend Professional Communications Seminars in the first semester of their program. 
OR
3b. Any university-level English course with a "C" grade or higher.
OR
3c. Completion of the NLC Writing Assessment with 100-level course placement.
4. Submission of completed Program Questionnaire. 
5. Comprehensive letter stating background, interest, and goals in taking the program.
6. Two current letters of reference written and dated within a year of application, attesting to personal suitability for working with young children.
7. Current assurance of good health from a physician. The relevant form is included in the ECEC application package available on the program website.

B. International Students and Domestic Students Who Received Their Secondary Education in a Language other than English:
1. In lieu of Item A3 above, international students and domestic students who received their secondary education in French or in a language other than English require minimum IELTs Academic scores of 6.0 overall with no band less than 6.0. On-campus students who received their secondary education in a language other than English are strongly encouraged attend Professional Communications Seminars in the first semester of their program.

Secondary Education Domestic students and students from countries that practice Standard Written English must have official transcripts demonstrating successful completion of one of the following English courses with a “C” or higher: English Studies 12, English 12, English Literature 12, English 12 First Peoples, English 050, English 099., or an equivalent course.