Early Childhood Education Assistant

Early childhood education assistants work alongside lead educators in childcare centres, preschools, and other early learning programs. They help plan activities, support individual children, and keep the environment safe, healthy, and welcoming.

This 15-week program gets you ready for that work. You'll cover child development, practical classroom strategies, nutrition and food safety, emergency response, and how to work respectfully with families from diverse backgrounds -- including Indigenous communities. First Aid/CPR, Food Safe, and WHMIS certifications are included.

Work experience is built in -- 50 hours in a real early learning setting before you graduate.

Program Highlights
Duration 15 weeks / 4 months / 304 hours (including 50 hours work experience)
Work Experience Hours 50
Curriculum

What you'll learn to do:

  • Set up learning environments that work for different ages, learning styles, and abilities
  • Support children's development across social, cognitive, and physical milestones
  • Plan and serve nutritionally balanced meals and maintain food safety standards
  • Recognize and respond to health and safety concerns, including emergency situations
  • Work respectfully with families from diverse cultural backgrounds, including Indigenous communities
  • Create inclusive spaces where every child feels welcome and valued
Certification Certificate
Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) code 13.121 - Education
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.

Please Note: Working as an Early Childhood Education Assistant in a licensed childcare facility in BC requires certification by the ECE Registry. The Early Childhood Education Assistant program offered by Ascentia Career Institute is not currently recognized by the ECE Registry. Upon graduation, students are eligible to apply for certification through the ECE Registry equivalency process — and Ascentia will assist you to apply for recognition and registration. For more information about the process, visit the ECE Registry website.
BC Job Openings, 2023-2033 Demand is high across the province

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. 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

Work Experience

PREREQUISITES FOR WORK EXPERIENCE

  • Successful completion of all academic courses.
  • Hold a valid First Aid certificate.
  • Clear criminal record check, including clearance to work with vulnerable sectors.
  • Negative TB Test.
  • Immunizations in the following are strongly recommended, and may be required for work experience in the program: 2 doses of COVID vaccine, Measles/Mumps/Rubella, Influenza (required annually)

Tuition and Fees
Tuition $5,162
Fees:
Books $320
Consumables / Supplies $75
Administrative Fee $90
Application Fee $250
Total Tuition and Fees $5,897

Payment plans are available for all programs, interest-free , typically split into 4 equal monthly payments of $1,474.25.

Other funding options may be available for students who qualify.