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How to become an early childhood educator in BC

Certified Early Childhood Educator (ECE) ยท British Columbia

Care for and teach young children at a daycare or preschool. You need a one-year college program, 500 hours of work and a certificate from the province.

How long
1 to 2 years (1-year college certificate + 500 hours)
Cost
$8,502
Who licenses it
BC ECE Registry

THE ROUTE

The route at a glance

STEP 1

Prerequisites & Volunteer Childcare Experience

Complete high school graduation and 40 supervised volunteer childcare hours

STEP 2

Early Childhood Education (ECE) Certificate

Complete recognized 1-year Basic ECE certificate program

STEP 3

500 Supervised Workplace Hours

Log 500 hours of supervised child care workplace practice

STEP 4

BC ECE Registry Certification Application

Submit formal application for Five-Year ECE Certificate to BC Registry

JOB

Certified Early Childhood Educator (ECE)

Practice independently as a licensed Early Childhood Educator

This is the overview. For the courses to take, the entry rules, the exams and the schools, open the full route.

See the full route, step by step โ†’

THE JOB

What the job is like

Pay and outlook from WorkBC.

Pay
$19.00 โ€“ $30.00 / hr$24 median
Job outlook
13,010 forecasted job openings (2025โ€“2035) ยท 2025โ€“2035
Where the work is
Mainland/Southwest, Vancouver Island/Coast, Thompson-Okanagan
What a day looks like

Work takes place in licensed child care centres, preschools, nursery schools, and community family hubs, as well as active classroom, gymnasium, outdoor playground, and nature play settings.

Watch out for

Be mindful of exposure to common childhood illnesses and communicable viral infections and follow all required safety procedures.

Where it can lead

Complete post-basic training to specialize in caring for children under 36 months of age.

Specialize in inclusive learning environments and individualized support plans for diverse learners.

JOBS

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Live postings on the big job boards, searched for this job in British Columbia.