COURSE CURRICULUM

The Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) Diploma in Infant/Toddler Education at Northern Lights College (NLC) is a two-year program comprising a minimum of 62 credits and 1,370 hours, including 16 academic/theory courses totaling 720 hours and 4 practicum courses totaling 650 hours. It is typically completed over four semesters with at least 15 credits per semester, although students also have the option to complete it on a part-time basis. Delivery methods include online, on-campus, and full-time Work Integrated Learning, though part-time study is only available through online and on-campus formats. In Year One, students complete foundational courses such as HDEC 100 (Essential Skills for Human Service Workers), HDEC 101 and HDEC 104 (Human Development I and II), HDEC 102 (Health, Safety, and Nutrition), HDEC 103 (Guiding and Caring), and HDEC 121 (Interpersonal Communications). Early childhood-specific courses include ECEC 100 (Curriculum I), ECED 101 (Principles and Practices I), ECED 109A (Practicum I), and ECED 110 (Practicum II). In Year Two, students advance to specialized coursework such as ECEC 200 (Curriculum II), ECEC 201 (Building Professional Family Partnerships), ECEC 202 (Administration and Leadership), and ECEC 203 (Current Perspectives on Practice), along with ECED 111 (Practicum III) and ECED 150 (The Early Childhood Education Professional). The program includes additional training in infant and toddler development and care through ECED 203A (Development 3 Infants and Toddlers), ECED 207 (Curriculum 3 Infants and Toddlers), and ECED 208 (Practicum – Infants and Toddlers), as well as ECED 215 (Curriculum 4 Working with Children with Diverse Abilities). Completion time may vary depending on course availability and individual course planning. The comprehensive structure of the program equips students with both theoretical knowledge and practical experience to become certified early childhood educators in British Columbia.