- HBA · 4 years
- Work experience details
- ~High 80s to low 90s
Early Childhood Education and Care
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Checked 2026-11-05
Symbolic subject artwork; no university facility depicted
2 years
Five required practica in licensed childcare settings
Work experience
Five required practica in licensed childcare settings
VIU Early Childhood Education and Care diploma
Deadlines
March 2027
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Next deadline
2 deadlines
Diploma application
Fall 2027 · Domestic Nanaimo or online and international Nanaimo
General undergraduate application
2027 entry · Most direct-entry bachelor's degrees
Applications open October 1, 2026.
Other deadline details
No central deadline, each B.C. institution sets its own application open and close datesEducationPlannerBC, deadlines are set per institutionRecurring annual · Every year
- No central deadline, each B.C. institution sets its own application open and close dates
- No central B.C. deadline
- Each institution and sometimes each program sets its own dates
Full source wording
Verbatim: "Each institution sets their own application open and close dates. These dates also may vary based on the program you are applying to. You can use the search database to explore programs you are interested in applying to or visit the institution's website directly. Please refer to the institution's website or contact the Admissions/Registrar's Office directly for application deadlines and details." EducationPlannerBC is the single application service for B.C.'s 25 public post-secondary institutions but publishes no deadline dates of its own.
SourceChecked
Requirements
Admission requirements
High-school prerequisites
English 12 or equivalent (minimum C)
- Meet VIU’s general admission requirements.
- Admission is limited and meeting the minimum does not guarantee an offer.
Application steps
Entry terms · Fall 2027
September 7, 2027. Nanaimo domestic and international, online domestic.
VIU Early Childhood Education and Care diplomaStep 1Check the admission requirements
- Check the published entry route for your applicant category.
Step 2Apply through EducationPlannerBC
Step 3Official high-school transcript
- VIU uses the transcript to verify graduation, English and program-specific course requirements.
Step 4$46.98 domestic application fee
Step 5Résumé covering education and employment.
- Complete this item using the university’s applicant instructions.
Step 6Two VIU reference forms from people who are not relatives. At least one must verify 20 hours in licensed childcare.
- Complete this item using the university’s applicant instructions.
Step 7Group interview with the program chair and faculty.
- Complete this item using the university’s applicant instructions.
Applicant pathways
Domestic diploma choices
Domestic applicants
- Choose Nanaimo in-person or online delivery.
BC secondary-school admission
BC secondary-school applicants
- Complete BC secondary school or equivalent. Meet the English Studies 12 or English First Peoples 12 grade requirement of C or higher.
Academic mature category
Domestic applicants using VIU’s academic mature category
- Be 21 or turn 21 during the first semester. Meet the English Studies 12 or English First Peoples 12 grade requirement of C or higher.
International diploma choice
International applicants
- The Fall 2027 international diploma intake is at Nanaimo.
International academic entry
International undergraduate applicants
- Provide high school graduation or equivalent and meet VIU’s English language requirements.
Practicum clearance
Admitted students before placement
- Provide current child-care first aid and CPR certification accepted by VIU and complete a satisfactory criminal record check through VIU. International students also need a valid practicum work permit.
Degree requirements
Credits and degree requirements
- Complete 66 credits, with 36 in Year 1 and 30 in Year 2, including all required practica.
- VIU expects at least C+ overall and in each ECEC and CYC course to progress and graduate.
Program facts
Entering averageNot published
The university does not publish a comparable percentage minimum or entering-average range for this program.
VIU Early Childhood Education and Care diplomaWork experienceFive required practica in licensed childcare settings
Courses
VIU publishes separate Nanaimo and online sequences. Online theory is paired with in-person placements. Courses shown as alternatives are choices within the same credit requirement.
Nanaimo diploma
Nanaimo diploma
Year 1, Semester 17 listed
15 credits after applying the listed alternatives.
ECEC 110Child Development I3 creditsChoose one of ECEC 110, PSYC 131 or CYC 111.
VIU Early Childhood Education and Care diploma- PSYC 131Child Development I3 credits
Choose one of ECEC 110, PSYC 131 or CYC 111.
VIU Psychology course descriptions - CYC 111Child Development3 credits
Choose one of ECEC 110, PSYC 131 or CYC 111.
VIU Child And Youth Care course descriptions - ECEC 120Principles and Practices of Guiding and Caring3 credits
ECEC 133Practicum I3 credits- ECEC 150Interpersonal Communication: Theory and Practice3 credits
ECEC 170Program Planning: Development Through Play3 credits
Year 1, Semester 27 listed
15 credits after applying the listed alternatives.
- ECEC 111Child Development II3 credits
Choose one of ECEC 111, PSYC 132 or CYC 112.
VIU Early Childhood Education and Care diploma - PSYC 132Child Development II3 credits
Choose one of ECEC 111, PSYC 132 or CYC 112.
VIU Psychology course descriptions - CYC 112Adolescent Development3 credits
Choose one of ECEC 111, PSYC 132 or CYC 112.
VIU Child And Youth Care course descriptions - ECEC 130Principles and Practices of Wellness3 credits
- ECEC 134Practicum II3 credits
- ECEC 171Program Planning: Creative Expression3 credits
- ENGL 115University Writing and Research3 credits
Choose one of ENGL 115 or approved equivalent.
VIU Faculty of Education · Nanaimo and online diploma schedules
Year 1, Semester 32 listed
6 credits after applying the listed alternatives.
- ECEC 204Program Planning: Discovering Our World3 credits
- ECEC 205Practicum III3 credits
Year 2, Semester 16 listed
15 credits after applying the listed alternatives.
- ECEC 200Roots and Trends of Canadian Early Childhood Education Practice3 credits
ECEC 221Assessing and Supporting Healthy Early Development3 credits- ECEC 223Program Development for Infants and Toddlers3 credits
- ECEC 270Trends and Models in Early Childhood3 credits
- CYC 231An Introduction to Family Development and Support3 credits
Choose one of CYC 231 or SOCW 211.
VIU Child And Youth Care course descriptions - SOCW 211Families in Context3 credits
Choose one of CYC 231 or SOCW 211.
VIU Social Work course descriptions
Year 2, Semester 25 listed
12 credits after applying the listed alternatives.
- ECEC 211Early Childhood Program Administration3 credits
- ECEC 222Program Development for Children with Diverse Abilities3 credits
- ECEC 224Practicum IV: Infants and Toddlers3 credits
Choose one of ECEC 224 or ECEC 210.
VIU Early Childhood Education and Care diploma - ECEC 210Special Topics Practicum: Community Pathways3 credits
Choose one of ECEC 224 or ECEC 210.
VIU Early Childhood Education and Care diploma 
HHS 383Child Honouring in Professional Practice3 creditsChoose one of HHS 383 or department-approved elective.
VIU Health And Human Services course descriptions
Year 2, Semester 32 listed
3 credits after applying the listed alternatives.
- ECEC 231Practicum V: Children with Diverse Abilities3 credits
Choose one of ECEC 231 or ECEC 210.
VIU Early Childhood Education and Care diploma - ECEC 210Special Topics Practicum: Community Pathways3 credits
Choose one of ECEC 231 or ECEC 210.
VIU Early Childhood Education and Care diploma
Online diploma
Online diploma
Year 1, Semester 16 listed
12 credits after applying the listed alternatives.
- ECEC 110Child Development I3 credits
Choose one of ECEC 110, PSYC 131 or CYC 111.
VIU Early Childhood Education and Care diploma - PSYC 131Child Development I3 credits
Choose one of ECEC 110, PSYC 131 or CYC 111.
VIU Psychology course descriptions - CYC 111Child Development3 credits
Choose one of ECEC 110, PSYC 131 or CYC 111.
VIU Child And Youth Care course descriptions - ECEC 120Principles and Practices of Guiding and Caring3 credits
- ECEC 130Principles and Practices of Wellness3 credits
- ECEC 150Interpersonal Communication: Theory and Practice3 credits
Year 1, Semester 26 listed
12 credits after applying the listed alternatives.
- ECEC 111Child Development II3 credits
Choose one of ECEC 111, PSYC 132 or CYC 112.
VIU Early Childhood Education and Care diploma - PSYC 132Child Development II3 credits
Choose one of ECEC 111, PSYC 132 or CYC 112.
VIU Psychology course descriptions - CYC 112Adolescent Development3 credits
Choose one of ECEC 111, PSYC 132 or CYC 112.
VIU Child And Youth Care course descriptions - ECEC 133Practicum I3 credits
- ECEC 170Program Planning: Development Through Play3 credits
- ECEC 200Roots and Trends of Canadian Early Childhood Education Practice3 credits
Year 1, Semester 34 listed
12 credits after applying the listed alternatives.
- ECEC 134Practicum II3 credits
- ECEC 171Program Planning: Creative Expression3 credits
- ECEC 211Early Childhood Program Administration3 credits
- ENGL 115University Writing and Research3 credits
Choose one of ENGL 115 or approved equivalent.
VIU Faculty of Education · Nanaimo and online diploma schedules
Year 2, Semester 15 listed
12 credits after applying the listed alternatives.
- ECEC 204Program Planning: Discovering Our World3 credits
- ECEC 205Practicum III3 credits
- ECEC 270Trends and Models in Early Childhood3 credits
- CYC 231An Introduction to Family Development and Support3 credits
Choose one of CYC 231 or SOCW 211.
VIU Child And Youth Care course descriptions - SOCW 211Families in Context3 credits
Choose one of CYC 231 or SOCW 211.
VIU Social Work course descriptions
Year 2, Semester 25 listed
12 credits after applying the listed alternatives.
- ECEC 221Assessing and Supporting Healthy Early Development3 credits
- ECEC 223Program Development for Infants and Toddlers3 credits
- ECEC 224Practicum IV: Infants and Toddlers3 credits
Choose one of ECEC 224 or ECEC 210.
VIU Early Childhood Education and Care diploma - ECEC 210Special Topics Practicum: Community Pathways3 credits
Choose one of ECEC 224 or ECEC 210.
VIU Early Childhood Education and Care diploma - HHS 383Child Honouring in Professional Practice3 credits
Choose one of HHS 383 or department-approved elective.
VIU Health And Human Services course descriptions
Year 2, Semester 33 listed
6 credits after applying the listed alternatives.
- ECEC 222Program Development for Children with Diverse Abilities3 credits
- ECEC 231Practicum V: Children with Diverse Abilities3 credits
Choose one of ECEC 231 or ECEC 210.
VIU Early Childhood Education and Care diploma - ECEC 210Special Topics Practicum: Community Pathways3 credits
Choose one of ECEC 231 or ECEC 210.
VIU Early Childhood Education and Care diploma
Elective choices
- Year 2 includes 3 credits of program-approved electives. VIU’s faculty schedule lists HHS 383 or an elective approved by the department.
Careers
Career examples
- Early childhood educator
- Preschool teacher
- Infant and toddler educator
Childcare centre administrator or manager- Childcare director
- Special needs educator
Childcare consultant- Child development specialist
Career sectors
1
- Licensed early learning and childcare centres
Career sectorsPublished career information
Scope and qualifications
VIU lists career examples for the diploma.
Costs
Early Childhood Education and Care Diploma · First year
First-year estimate
Published estimate · First year · 36 credits · CAD
Canadian students example · Choose your category
Tuition only$6,232.32Books and suppliesNot separately verified
ResidenceNot estimated
Meal planNot estimatedEstimated subtotalNot available
Programme estimates may change. International Fall 2027 entry is at Nanaimo.
Housing and meals are outside this estimate.
Last updated
