Early Childhood Education Assistant

Make a real difference—every single day. Our Early Childhood Education Assistant (ECEA) program prepares you to support young children as they learn, grow, and build confidence in early learning settings.

In this hands-on program, you’ll learn how to support child development, promote safe and healthy routines, and help create welcoming, inclusive spaces where every child can thrive.

You’ll build practical, job-ready skills—from guiding play-based learning and positive behaviour support to working confidently with educators, families, and diverse communities. Your training also includes essential certifications like First Aid/CPR, Food Safe, and WHMIS.

With work experience built in, you’ll graduate with real-world exposure and a stronger résumé—ready to pursue opportunities in childcare centres, preschools, and other early learning environments.

Launch your pathway into early childhood education in under 4 months. Apply today and take your first step toward a meaningful, in-demand career.

Program Highlights
Duration 304 hours, 14 weeks (plus 2 for breaks and holidays), 4 months.
Includes 50 hours of work experience.
Curriculum
  • Principles of Child Development Part 1
  • Principles of Child Development Part 2
  • Environments, Relationships, and Development in Early Education
  • Child Health, Safety and Nutrition
  • Job Search and Resume Writing
  • Diversity & Inclusion in Professional Practice
  • Financial Awareness and Success
  • Standard First Aid with CPR Level C Training
  • Food Safe Training
  • WHMIS Training
  • Practicum for Early Childhood Education Assistant
Certification Certificate
Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) code 13.1210 - Early Childhood Education and Teaching
Compliance Early Childhood Education Assistant was reviewed and approved by the registrar of The Private Training Institutions Regulatory Unit (PTIRU) within the System Integrity Branch (SIB) of the Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills
  One of the requirements to work as an Early Childhood Education Assistant in a licensed childcare facility in BC is to be certified by the ECE Registry. The Early Childhood Education Assistant program offered by Ascentia Career Insititute is not recognized by the ECE Registry. This means that upon graduation, students will have to apply for certification through the ECE Registry’s equivalency process. For more information about the process visit the ECE Registry website.
Average Salary $47,000
BC Job Openings, 2023-2033 High demand across BC

Admissions Requirements
  • All candidates must meet with an admissions advisor before enrollment.
  • Candidates must provide ALL of the following supporting evidence prior to acceptance:

    Age Requirements

    • Be a mature student (minimum 19 years of age) OR a Grade 12 graduate (parent/guardian consent required if under 19 years of age)

    Language Proficiency Requirements

    • Candidates must provide ONE of the following:
      • Evidence of three years of full-time secondary instruction (Grade 8–12 or BC Adult Graduation Program) in English OR two years of full-time post-secondary education at a recognized institution listed under Approved English Speaking Countries.
        (see here)

        Approved English Speaking Countries 1

        American Samoa
        Anguilla
        Antigua & Barbuda
        Australia
        Bahamas
        Barbados
        Bermuda
        Belize
        Botswana
        British Virgin Islands
        Canada (including Quebec)
        Cayman Islands
        Dominica
        Falkland Islands
        Fiji
        Gambia
        Ghana
        Gibraltar
        Grenada
        Guam
        Guyana
        Ireland
        Jamaica
        Kenya
        Lesotho
        Liberia
        Malta
        Mauritius
        Montserrat
        New Zealand
        Nigeria
        Seychelles
        Sierra Leone
        Singapore
        South Africa
        St. Helena
        St. Kitts & Nevis
        St. Lucia
        St. Vincent & the Grenadines
        Trinidad & Tobago
        Tanzania
        Turks & Caicos Islands
        Uganda
        United Kingdom
        USA
        US Virgin Islands
        Zambia
        Zimbabwe
        1This list follows the Countries that satisfy the English language admission standard for the University of British Columbia (UBC). In cases where there is a disparity between the linked page and our site/the printed text, precedence shall be given to the information on the UBC website.
        Language courses, such as English as a Second Language (ESL), cannot be considered in this calculation.
      • Evidence of achievement in a recognized standardized language test or assessment at an overall level equivalent to IELTS 5.5 (Academic) or higher, such as:
        • Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) iBT: Overall score of 46
        • Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP): Listening 6, Speaking 6, Reading 5, Writing 5
        • Canadian Academic English Language Assessment (CAEL): Overall score of 40
        • Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE-A): Overall score of 43
        • Duolingo English Test (DET): Minimum overall score of 95
        • Cambridge Linguaskill, LANGUAGECERT Academic, The Michigan English Test (MET): Minimum overall B2 level
        • iTEP Academic: Minimum overall score of 3.5
        • EIKEN: Minimum placement of Grade Pre-1

Prerequisites for Work Experience

  • Clear criminal record check
  • Successful completion of all academic courses
  • Hold a valid First Aid and CPR certificate
  • Immunizations in the following are strongly recommended and may be required for clinical placement in the program:
    • 2 doses of COVID vaccine
    • Influenza (required annually)

Tuition and Fees
Tuition $5557
Books $320
Materials $75
Application Fee $250
Administrative Fees $90
Total Tuition and Fees $5897
Payment Plan Options:
  • 4 interest-free monthly payments of $ 1,475 each
  • Student Loans and alternate funding available for those who qualify.