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Bachelor of Early Childhood Care and Education Degree

Credential
Bachelor

Duration
4 year(s)

The Bachelor of Early Childhood Care & Education offers students a range of academic and education courses that blend theory and practice in the early years, engaging with research and theory.

Three core threads are intertwined throughout the degree: curriculum, childhoods, and leadership and advocacy.

As part of your training, you'll be invited to engage in critically reflective practice, working to create learning environments of social justice and equity for children and families.

You’ll also explore teaching approaches in your field placements that will help you master the competencies required to be licensed and employed as an early childhood educator in British Columbia.

Courses in the first two years meet the requirements of the Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD) for:

  • ECE Certificate to Practice;
  • Infant/Toddler Certificate to Practice; and/or
  • Special Needs Certificate to Practice.

This early childhood education degree is a pathway to elementary teacher education programs at both Simon Fraser University and the University of British Columbia.

Now offered in Squamish

Outdoor photo of CapU Squamish.

The Bachelor of Early Childhood Care and Education Degree is also offered at CapU's newest campus in Squamish, B.C.

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A student in Early Childhood Care and Education at CapU working with children.

Build relationships and educational connections

An important skill you'll gain in the full-time program is how to build collaborative relationships with young children, families and community members to provide relevant, responsive and caring educational experiences.

Career paths

  • Child advocate
  • Child development consultant
  • Education consultant
  • Early childhood educator
  • Early years program facilitator
  • StrongStart BC facilitator

Online ECCE degree program

ECCE also offers an online degree program for students living outside the Lower Mainland. It is designed for students who have completed a diploma in early childhood education and are interested in entering the degree program in the third year.

In the program, you can study in one or more areas: leadership and advocacy, pedagogy and curriculum. 

Applications are being accepted for the Fall term. Submit a copy of your valid BC ECE Registry Certificate for your basic ECE, ITE/SNE, and documents required for admission to CapU. Contact us for more information.

Contact the ECCE department

School of Education and Childhood Studies

In the School of Education and Childhood Studies at CapU, you'll develop the skills to help children create an enduring love of learning.

Related links

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Contact us

For more information about the Early Childhood Education programs at CapU, contact us today.

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Information sessions

Plan ahead with this calendar of important program information sessions and open houses.

Upcoming info sessions

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Intakes

Important dates

Applications open

Jan 12, 2024 – Aug 6, 2024

Course Registration & Waitlisting start

Jul 2, 2024

Fee payment deadline

4:00 PM - Aug 19, 2024

Important dates

Applications open

Oct 1, 2024 – Aug 5, 2025

Course Registration & Waitlisting start

Jun 23, 2025

Fee payment deadline

4:00 PM - Aug 25, 2025

Important dates

Applications open

Oct 1, 2024 – Aug 5, 2025

Course Registration & Waitlisting start

Jun 23, 2025

Fee payment deadline

4:00 PM - Aug 25, 2025

Important dates

Applications open

Oct 1, 2024 – Aug 5, 2025

Course Registration & Waitlisting start

Jun 23, 2025

Fee payment deadline

4:00 PM - Aug 25, 2025

NOTE: Important dates may change.

How to Apply

Are you applying as a domestic or as an international student?

Every student must apply to CapU through EducationPlannerBC (EPBC), a website for applying to universities and colleges across British Columbia.

Visit Apply Now to make sure you're ready to fill in your application.

  • When you submit your application, you will need to pay an application fee of $50, which gives you the opportunity to apply for 2 programs. 
  • You will need to upload a digital (PDF) copy of your transcripts and supporting documents at this time.
  • If you are currently in Grade 12, you must request that the Ministry of Education submit your transcript directly to Capilano University.
  • Documents must be in the original language of issue and translated into English by a recognized translator, if required.
Apply on EPBC

After submitting your application on EducationPlannerBC you will receive an acknowledgement message from us to your personal email.

  • This email will include your Student ID number and your myCapU account and email address.
  • Instructions on how to track your application will also be included.
  • All future messages from us will be sent to your myCapU email.
  • If you're applying to CapU as a new student, you can use your myCapU account to apply for entrance awards.

For students who have previously attended post-secondary, even though you submitted a digital copy of your transcripts on EducationPlannerBC, you must submit official university or college transcripts for transfer credit.

Please send all official documents to:

Registrar's Office
Library Building, Room LB152
2055 Purcell Way
North Vancouver, BC
V7J 3H5

Official documents may include:

These documents must be sent directly from that institution to Capilano University. They must include the seal of the institution and the signature of the authorizing school representative.

We will accept photocopies of transcripts if certified by the authorizing university or college officer. Notarized copies are not acceptable.

Students may also submit photocopies of academic documents verified by the issuing authority. These authorities include the Ministry of Education, the high school, university, or college, the apostille* or by the appropriate examination board.

Notarized copies are not acceptable.

*Apostille countries refers to an international form of a notary seal as certified by the Hague convention. These would be official notary documents from countries such as Russia, Ukraine, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, etc. and can be accepted in place of original or school-certified documents. The Apostille is prepared by either the Ministry of Education or the Ministry of Justice in these countries.

Please note: Documents issued in a language other than English must also include certified English translations. Documents must be in the original language of the issue and translated into English by a recognized translator, if required.

An academic document is original if issued to the student by the institution following that institution’s policies.

Notarized copies are not acceptable.

Once you've been accepted into a program, you'll need to start planning your courses.

  • You will be notified of your acceptance through your CapU email and your myCapU account.
  • View our page for admitted students to learn how to prepare for your first day.
  • If you wish to receive transfer credits, please submit official university/college/International Baccalaureate (IB)/Advanced Placements (AP) transcripts either electronically or by mail:

     

    Registrar's Office
    Library Building, Room LB152
    2055 Purcell Way
    North Vancouver, BC
    V7J 3H5

New Students

Most CapU programs need proof that you:

Every student must apply to CapU through EducationPlannerBC (EPBC), a website for applying to universities and colleges across British Columbia.

Visit Apply Now to make sure you're ready to fill in your application.

  • When you submit your application, you will need to pay a non-refundable application fee of C$135, which gives you the opportunity to apply for 2 programs.
  • You will need to upload a digital (PDF) copy of your transcripts and supporting documents at this time.
  • If your original transcripts and supporting documents are not written in English, please submit a translated copy.
Apply on EPBC

After submitting your application on EducationPlannerBC you will receive an acknowledgement message from us to your personal email.

  • This email will include your Student ID number and your myCapU account and email address.
  • Instructions on how to track your application will also be included.
  • All future messages from us will be sent to your myCapU email.
  • If you're applying to CapU as a new student, you can use your myCapU account to apply for entrance awards.
Funding for International Students

You've already sent digital copies of your transcripts to EducationPlannerBC as part of your CapU application, but we also need physical copies of your official high school, college or university transcripts.

If you're applying to CapU as a new student, you can use your myCapU account to apply for entrance awards.

Please send your official documents to:

Capilano University
Centre for International Experience, Room LB127
2055 Purcell Way
North Vancouver, B.C.
V7J 3H5

Official documents may include:

Students must submit official high school and university or college transcripts for admission.

These documents must be sent directly from that institution to Capilano University. They must include the seal of the institution and signature of the authorizing school representative.

We will accept photocopies of transcripts if certified by the authorizing high school, university, or college officer. Notarized copies are not acceptable.

Students may also submit photocopies of academic documents verified by the issuing authority. These authorities include the Ministry of Education, the high school, university, or college, the apostille* or by the appropriate examination board.

Notarized copies are not acceptable.

*Apostille countries refers to an international form of a notary seal as certified by the Hague convention. These would be official notary documents from countries such as Russia, Ukraine, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, etc. and can be accepted in place of original or school-certified documents. The Apostille is prepared by either the Ministry of Education or the Ministry of Justice in these countries.

Please note: Documents issued in a language other than English must also include certified English translations. Documents must be in the original language of the issue and translated into English by a recognized translator, if required.

An academic document is original if issued to the student by the institution following that institution’s policies.

Notarized copies are not acceptable.

If you are accepted into a program, you will receive a letter of offer in your myCapU email inbox.

  • You will need to confirm your acceptance into the program by paying a tuition deposit outlined in your letter of offer.
  • This deposit will go towards your first-semester tuition once you are registered for courses at CapU.

After paying your tuition deposit, you will receive a letter of acceptance in your myCapU inbox. This may be used to apply for, or renew, a study permit.

  • Depending on your citizenship, you may also need to apply for an entry visa.
Permits & Visas

Once you've been accepted into a program and have applied for your study permit, you'll need to start planning your courses.

  • You will be notified of your acceptance through your CapU email and your myCapU account.
  • View our page for admitted international students to learn how to prepare for your first day.
Info for Admitted International Students

Apply Now

Are you ready to rise to the challenge?

Apply now to CapU

Transfer Students

Find out how you can transfer your credits from another post-secondary institution to CapU.

Applying as a Transfer Student

Returning Students

If you're returning to CapU to complete your program or to apply into a new program, please contact the Registrar's Office.

Contact Registrar's Office

Switching Programs

If you want to change your program of study, you need to submit a new application to CapU.

Re-apply to CapU

Tuition and Fees

Are you applying as a domestic or as an international student?

Tuition Fees Total
Year 1 $4,768 $1,792 $6,560
Year 2 $4,254 $1,778 $6,032
Year 3 $5,915 $1,792 $7,707
Year 4 $6,521 $1,792 $8,313
Total $21,458 $7,154 $28,612
Tuition Fees Total
Year 1 $21,349 $1,792 $23,141
Year 2 $19,050 $1,778 $20,828
Year 3 $21,221 $1,792 $23,013
Year 4 $21,827 $1,792 $23,619
Total $83,447 $7,154 $90,601

Tuition & Fees Estimator

Get a detailed breakdown of the tuition and fees for your program.

Calculate my fees

Entrance Awards

All new CapU students can fund their education with entrance awards.

See if I qualify

Term Awards

Continuing your studies at CapU? You may be eligible for awards, too.

Take me to the awards

Required Courses

ECCE 100-Level Courses

Total credits: 27.00

Required:
EDUC 121Introduction to Centre Administration3.00 credits
EDUC 159Introduction to Critical Social Justice in ECCE3.00 credits
EDUC 166Child Development I3.00 credits
EDUC 168Child Development II3.00 credits
EDUC 173Curriculum Development I3.00 credits
EDUC 178Caring & Learning in Early Years Settings3.00 credits
EDUC 179Guiding Young Children3.00 credits
EDUC 183Curriculum Development II3.00 credits
EDUC 190Observing & Recording: Thinking with the E.L.F.3.00 credits

 

ECCE 200-Level Courses

Total credits: 18.50

Required:
EDUC 240Advanced Child Development3.00 credits
EDUC 244Theoretical Perspectives3.00 credits
EDUC 251Centre Operations3.00 credits
EDUC 276Applied Theory - Practicum I3.00 credits
EDUC 277Applied Theory - Practicum II3.50 credits
EDUC 281Family, School and Community3.00 credits

 

ECCE Advanced Practice Courses

Total credits: 16.00

Choose 16.00 credits from the following list:

Note: Students are required to take two of the following options for a minimum of 16 credits.

a) Infant Toddler (IT): EDUC 282 Responsive Pedagogies with Infants and Toddlers (3.00 cr), and EDUC 349 Applied Theory Infant/Toddler Practicum (5.00 cr)8.00 credits
b) Inclusive Practice (IP): EDUC 284 Planning for Inclusive Practice (3.00 cr), and EDUC 390 Applied Theory: Inclusive Practice Practicum (5.00 cr)8.00 credits
c) Advanced Practice I: EDUC 381 Applied Theory: Advanced Practice in Early Years I (5.00 cr), and EDUC or department approved non-EDUC credits at the 100-level or higher (3.00 cr)8.00 credits
d) Advanced Practice II: EDUC 382 Applied Theory: Advanced Practice in Early Years II (5.00 cr), and EDUC or department approved non-EDUC credits at the 100-level or higher (3.00 cr)8.00 credits
e) Coursework: EDUC at the 300- or 400-level9.00 credits

 

ECCE 300-Level Courses

Total credits: 15.00

Required:
EDUC 373Inquiry-Based Learning in ECCE3.00 credits

 

ECCE 400-Level Courses

Total credits: 21.00

Required:
EDUC 473Teacher as Researcher3.00 credits
EDUC 475Graduating Seminar6.00 credits

 

Breadth Requirements

Total credits: 24.00

Required:
ENGL 100University Writing Strategies3.00 credits
ENGL or CMNS 100-level or higher3.00 credits
Quantitative/Analytical course3.00 credits
University-level Elective 100-level or higher15.00 credits

Total program credits: 121.50

Additional information

Students pursuing a baccalaureate degree must meet Cap Core graduation requirements in addition to their program requirements.

C- is the minimum acceptable grade in all 100 and 200-level EDUC courses within the degree.

Learning outcomes

  • Demonstrate pedagogical practices that are connected to contemporary theoretical approaches of learning, thinking and teaching in the field of early childhood care and education.
  • Work collaboratively with children, families, colleagues and community to provide relevant and responsive caring and educational experiences.
  • Use ethical pedagogical practices that demonstrate an understanding and sensitivity to local and global issues related to early childhood care and education.
  • Engage in pedagogical practices that demonstrate mastery of the competencies required to be licensed and employed as an Early Childhood Educator in British Columbia.

How to Declare

For the official publication of programs, course descriptions and admission requirements please view the Capilano University Calendar.

Have a question?

Get in touch with us!

About this program

School of Education & Childhood Studies
604 984 4960
604 984 4993 (fax)
Cedar Building, room CE376
ecce@capilanou.ca

General inquiries

Student Information Services
Library Building, room LB152

604-984-4900
604-984-1798 (fax)
registration@capilanou.ca