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Child development course

Child Development Qualifying Course for ECE Assistant

Part of the route toECE AssistantΒ·Course / Exam Prep

A single 3-credit college course in child development qualifying you to register as an ECE Assistant in British Columbia.

How long
3 Months (1 Term)
Cost
Not published
Schools
12 in BC

THE ROUTE

How this program works, step by step

Grade 11 to the job. Open any step to see what is inside.

The route (8 steps)

BC Route
1Grade 11 Preparation
2Grade 12 Graduation
3Admissions & Prerequisites
4Application Process
5Program Curriculum
6Where to Take It
7Licensing & Certification
8Career Destination

For the best view, open the map full screen.

STEP BY STEP

Step by step

The same route as the map, as a list.

1

Step 1 of 8

Grade 11

⏱ 1 School Year
  • General BC secondary school curriculum and coursework at the Grade 11 level.
2

Step 2 of 8

Grade 12

⏱ 1 School Year
  • English Studies 12. Requirement varies by school (Vancouver Community College, Camosun College, Douglas College, and 9 others). Strictest requirement: C.
  • Grade 12. Requirement varies by school (Vancouver Community College, Camosun College, Langara College, and 3 others). Strictest requirement: standard completion.
  • BC High School Graduation (Dogwood Diploma). Requirement varies by school (Douglas College, University of the Fraser Valley, TRU Open Learning, and 1 others). Strictest requirement: standard completion.
3

Step 3 of 8

What you need to get in

  • Minimum 19 years of age or high school graduation (Grade 12)
  • Clean criminal record check through the Ministry of Public Safety
  • Clear BC Ministry of Public Safety Criminal Record Check
  • Clear Criminal Record Check under the Criminal Records Review Act
  • Criminal Record Check clearance for working with vulnerable children
4

Step 4 of 8

How to apply

  • Apply for admission to an approved BC public college or university offering ECE
  • Register directly into Child Growth and Development (typically 3 academic credits / 45 hours)
  • Course runs in Fall, Winter, and Summer terms with in-person, blended, and online options
  • Pay course tuition upon registration
5

Step 5 of 8

Child development course

⏱ 3 Months (1 Term)
  • 3-credit post-secondary course completed over 10 to 14 weeks (one semester / 45 hours)
  • Physical, emotional, social, and cognitive development from infancy to middle childhood
  • Developmental theories, observation techniques, and positive child guidance methods
  • Role of the assistant educator in inclusive daycare, preschool, and out-of-school care settings
6

Step 6 of 8

Where to take it

⏱ 12 schools in BC
  • Camosun College β€” 3 months (Not published)
  • College of New Caledonia β€” 3 months (Not published)
  • College of the Rockies β€” 3 months (Not published)
  • Douglas College β€” 3 months (Not published)
  • Langara College β€” 3 months (Not published)
  • North Island College β€” 3 months (Not published)
  • Northern Lights College β€” 3 months (Not published)
  • Okanagan College β€” 3 months (Not published)
  • and 4 more, see the list below
7

Step 7 of 8

Exams and registration after

  • Submit course transcript to the BC ECE Registry to receive the 5-year ECE Assistant Certificate
8

Step 8 of 8

Leads to: ECE Assistant

  • Explore ECE Assistant wages, job outlook, and career pathways

SCHOOLS

Where you can take this(12 schools)

Compare tuitions, campus locations, and delivery formats across approved institutions in British Columbia.

🌊
Public College

Camosun College

Victoria

Duration3 months
TuitionNot published
DeliveryOnline / Distance
β€œFoundational course in early human development satisfying the provincial registry requirement for ECE Assistant licensing.”
🚜
Public College

College of New Caledonia

Prince George & Quesnel

Duration3 months
TuitionNot published
DeliveryIn-Person
β€œNorthern BC community college 3-credit curriculum focusing on prenatal development through early childhood for licensed assistant educators.”
πŸ”οΈ
Public College

College of the Rockies

Cranbrook, Creston, Fernie, Golden & Invermere

Duration3 months
TuitionNot published
DeliveryIn-Person
β€œEast Kootenay recognized 3-credit post-secondary course examining developmental psychology and inclusive guidance for ECE Assistants.”
πŸ“š
Public College

Douglas College

New Westminster & Coquitlam

Duration3 months
TuitionNot published
DeliveryIn-Person
β€œFoundational 3-credit post-secondary course in child growth and development satisfying the academic requirement for BC ECE Assistant certification.”
🌿
Public College

Langara College

Vancouver

Duration3 months
TuitionNot published
DeliveryIn-Person
β€œAcademic 3-credit course covering physical, cognitive, social, and emotional development from birth to age 12, recognized by the BC ECE Registry.”
🌊
Public College

North Island College

Comox Valley, Port Alberni & Campbell River

Duration3 months
TuitionNot published
DeliveryIn-Person
β€œRecognized Vancouver Island 3-credit course exploring theories of human growth and play-based guidance for early childhood educator assistants.”
❄️
Public College

Northern Lights College

Dawson Creek & Fort St. John

Duration3 months
TuitionNot published
DeliveryOnline / Distance
β€œPeace River regional college course combining online and blended lectures covering developmental milestones required for BC ECE Assistant certification.”
πŸ”οΈ
Public College

Okanagan College

Kelowna, Penticton, Vernon & Salmon Arm

Duration3 months
TuitionNot published
DeliveryIn-Person
β€œInterior BC college course covering milestone development and observational techniques meeting ECE Registry Assistant requirements.”
πŸ’»
University

TRU Open Learning

Province-Wide (Online)

Duration3–4 months
TuitionNot published
DeliveryOnline / Distance
β€œFlexible distance learning 3-credit course available across BC through TRU Open Learning, satisfying ECEA Registry criteria.”
πŸ›οΈ
University

University of the Fraser Valley

Chilliwack & Abbotsford

Duration3 months
TuitionNot published
DeliveryIn-Person
β€œ3-credit developmental psychology course studying child milestones and learning environments, fulfilling the BC ECE Registry assistant qualification.”
🩺
Public College

Vancouver Community College

Vancouver (Downtown & Broadway)

Duration3 months
TuitionNot published
DeliveryHybrid
β€œApproved 3-credit post-secondary course in child growth and development fulfilling academic criteria for BC ECE Assistant certification.”
🐾
Duration3 months
TuitionNot published
DeliveryIn-Person
β€œUniversity-accredited 3-credit developmental course providing foundational competencies for provincial ECE Assistant licensing in BC.”

Official Sources

Last verified Β· September 2026