Child development course
Child Development Qualifying Course for ECE Assistant
Facts checked 7 September 2026
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Part of the route toECE Assistant·Course / Exam Prep
A single 3-credit college course in child development qualifying you to register as an ECE Assistant in British Columbia.
Ways to get this paid for
Government money that can cover this course. Check who qualifies before you pay.
Free adult upgrading
FreeGrade 11 and 12 courses and English classes are free at public colleges and school districts. This covers the Grade 11 and 12 prerequisite courses, not the program itself.
Canada Training Credit
Half your tuition back, up to $5,000 in your lifeFederal tax credit. $250 a year builds up from age 26. Claim it on your tax return.
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)
For the best view, open the map full screen.
STEP BY STEP
Step by step
The same route as the map, as a list.
Step 1 of 8
Grade 11
⏱ 1 school year- General BC secondary school curriculum and coursework at the Grade 11 level.
Step 2 of 8
Grade 12
⏱ 1 school year- English Studies 12. Requirement varies by school (Vancouver Community College, Camosun College, Douglas College, and 7 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.
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
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
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
Step 6 of 8
Where to take it
⏱ 12 schools in BC- Camosun College — 3 months (About $8,400 for the whole program)
- College of New Caledonia — 3 months (About $12,600 for the whole program)
- College of the Rockies — 3 months (About $3,800 for the whole program)
- Douglas College — 3 months (About $3,700 per year)
- Langara College — 3 months (About $6,900 for the whole program)
- North Island College — 3 months (About $3,900 for the whole program)
- Northern Lights College — 3 months (About $3,900 per year)
- Okanagan College — 3 months (About $6,100 for the whole program)
- and 4 more, see the list below
Step 7 of 8
Exams and registration after
- Submit course transcript to the BC ECE Registry to receive the 5-year ECE Assistant Certificate
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.
Tuition changes every year. Confirm on the school's page. Last checked 8 September 2026.
Tuition changes every year. Confirm on the school's page. Last checked 8 September 2026.
Tuition changes every year. Confirm on the school's page. Last checked 8 September 2026.
Tuition changes every year. Confirm on the school's page. Last checked 8 September 2026.
Tuition changes every year. Confirm on the school's page. Last checked 8 September 2026.
Tuition changes every year. Confirm on the school's page. Last checked 8 September 2026.
Tuition changes every year. Confirm on the school's page. Last checked 8 September 2026.
Tuition changes every year. Confirm on the school's page. Last checked 8 September 2026.
Tuition changes every year. Confirm on the school's page. Last checked 8 September 2026.
Tuition changes every year. Confirm on the school's page. Last checked 8 September 2026.
Tuition changes every year. Confirm on the school's page. Last checked 8 September 2026.
Checked 7 September 2026; the school does not list a figure. Ask the school.