A school in New Westminster is trying to make education more accessible.
Douglas College’s Early Childhood Education (ECE) Diploma is now accessible completely online to help meet the demand for early childhood educators in the province and throughout Canada.
The online program allows students to study from home, at their own pace, while working or raising a family, the school says. Graduates of the program are then prepared to become qualified early childhood educators who are eligible to work in provincially licensed preschool and childcare centres.
“Douglas College is adapting to provide today’s ECE student the accessibility and flexibility that they want,” said Karla Gronsdahl, dean of applied community studies at Douglas College. “This new online ECE diploma allows students to live, work and go to school in their home communities.”
Through a combination of theory and practical experience, graduates gain the skills and knowledge to work with children up to eight years old, including newborns, infants and toddlers. The online program offers live check-ins and courses are facilitated through online platforms. Practical components of the program are provided in individual student home communities and facilitated online.
“We’re most proud of providing the full ECE experience with practical components in communities where our learners are from,” said Gronsdahl. “Students get the opportunity to build relationships before graduation, which will help them be successful in the future.”
Diploma graduates are qualified to apply for two provincial licenses to practice as Early Childhood Educators or Special Needs Educators. Graduates may also choose to complete a post-diploma Certificate in Infant and Toddler Care and then apply for a third provincial license as an infant/toddler educator.
Graduates can also transfer their credits to a degree program at another B.C. post-secondary institution, including a Bachelor of Early Childhood Education, Bachelor in Child and Youth Care, Bachelor of Community Rehabilitation (BCR), Bachelor of General Studies (Education) and Bachelor of Arts in Early Years Education.
The new online format was launched in September 2020 and applications are currently open for fall 2021 and winter 2022 enrollment.
More information about the program and how to apply can be found at douglascollege.ca/program/dpeces. Interested prospective students can also sign up for an online info session to learn more.
