Early Learning and Care

We'll help you succeed

You will learn how to provide care and education that focuses on the needs of children and their families. You'll foster each child's optimal emotional, intellectual, linguistic, creative, physical, cultural and social development.

Hands-on learning

In the two years you'll spend in the ELC program, you'll participate in three practicum placements. Emphasis is placed on working collaboratively with families, within communities and with other professionals.

Graduates

Graduates are prepared with a strong foundation for many professional opportunities in the field of early learning and care. They have the specialized knowledge and skills necessary to create responsive, caring environments for all including infants, toddlers, pre-school age children and children with diverse abilities. Graduates are prepared to provide leadership and advocacy within the community of early learning and care.

Further transfer opportunities

Graduates with a diploma in ELC have transfer credit towards a degree in Child and Youth Care. If you decide to continue with further education you may eventually seek employment as a licensing officer, consultant, policy analyst or college instructor. You'll have an exciting role in a quickly developing field of work. As public awareness of the importance of the early years grows, early childhood educators are beginning to receive professional recognition and appropriate pay for the role they play in the lives of young children. You may choose to pursue further education towards the Child and Youth Care degree at:

• University of Victoria
• Vancouver Island University
• University of the Fraser Valley
• Douglas College
• or Bachelor of Early Childhood Care & Education at Capilano University