Aboriginal Early Childhood Education

Our Aboriginal Early Childhood Education (AECE) students embark on a fascinating journey:  they explore the dynamic field of child development, learn about the role of the professional early childhood educator, create early education curricula, practices, and stimulating learning environments that are sensitive to the developmental needs and interests of the young children. Working in the field of Early Childhood Education is an exciting and rewarding endeavour for a dedicated person whose aim is to make a difference by caring for young children.     

The NEC Native Education College AECE Program trains Early Childhood Educators and care providers with a specialized Aboriginal cultural perspective. Early childhood is crucial for the formation of life-long learning skills and therefore the future success of a human being. Early Childhood Educators contribute significantly to the progress of the local community through their work with children. The childcare centre practicum placements allow each student to practice professional skills developed through the classroom component of the program. Students who have successfully completed the program can begin working under the supervision of a licensed Early Childhood Education provider. Upon completion of 500 hours of paid or volunteer work, they can apply to the ECE Registry for certification. The certificate courses are also transferable to the post-basic ECE programs in Infant and Toddler Care and Special Needs Education offered at many local colleges.

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Program Content

Our AECE students embark on a fascinating journey: they explore the dynamic field of child development, learn about the role of the professional early childhood educator, create ECE curricula, practices and stimulating learning environments that are sensitive to the developmental needs and interests of young children, as well as to their culture.

The program is rooted in the ages old Aboriginal perspectives and wisdom of child rearing and traditional ways of contributing to and relying on the community. Aboriginal Adult Teaching Methodology is practiced to train future ECE professionals.

We prepare our graduates for successful career in the field of the Aboriginal Early Childhood Education. Working in this field is an exciting and rewarding endeavour for a dedicated person whose aim is to make a difference in the community by caring for young children.

The program is offered on a full-time basis. The full-time program runs for ten months. Small class size and the Traditional Long House environment contribute to higher quality preparation of our graduates.

Program Content Notes

Upon successful completion of this program, the graduates

1. will be employment ready and qualified to work as an Early Childhood Education provider in a childcare setting;
2. can apply to the ECE registry for licensing after 500 hours of paid or volunteer work;
3. are adequately prepared and qualified for the ECE Diploma Programs, such as Infant and Toddler and Special Needs programs.

Entrance Requirements

  • Grade 12 Diploma or equivalent
  • 2 Letters of Reference
  • Criminal Records Check (from Victoria for Child Care)
  • TB Test results

     OR

  • Over 21 years of age or older at the date of application
  • Has not completed Grade 12 Diploma or Equivalent
  • Complete a Learning Assessment Test (please contact Admissions for further details about this requirement)
  • 2 Letters of Reference
  • Criminal Records Check (from Victoria for Child Care)
  • TB Test results

Semesters

Semester I 

  • ECE 101    Human Growth & Development I
  • ECE 102    Foundations of  Early Childhood Education
  • ECE 103    Creative Arts for Young Children
  • ECE 104    Observing & Recording Young Children
  • ECE 113    Health, Safety and Nutrition
  • ECE 106    ECE Observation Practicum

Semester II 

  • ECE 114     Individual Project
  • ECE 111     Guiding and Caring For Young Children
  • ECE 112     Human Growth & Development II
  • ECE 115     Practicum Preparation Seminar I
  • ECE 116     ECE Block Practicum I
  • ECE 120     Program Planning
  • ECE 121     Interpersonal Communications

Semester III

  • ECE 110    Creative Movement & Music
  • ECE 122    Socials, Science & Math and Technology
  • ECE 123    Language & Literature
  • ECE 125    Practicum Preparation Seminar II
  • ECE 126    ECE Block Practicum II 
  • ECE 127    Family and Community Relations
  • ECE 128    ECE Advocacy

Program Cost

$4,851 (Tuition only)

Course Descriptions

ECE 101 
Human Growth & Development I

Human Growth & Development I
Credits: 4

Program Content

NEC Native Education College has been successfully contributing to the urban First Nations community by offering basic Aboriginal Early Childhood Education program since 1988. Responding to the urgent need in qualified Special Needs Educators, we are offering this post-basic Diploma program.

Aboriginal Special Needs Educator Diploma is a stimulating and empowering program that includes balance of classroom academic studies and hands on practical experience in licensed inclusive childcare settings. Our students have an exclusive opportunity to put into practice the knowledge learned in the classroom and experience this process in a real childcare setting. The program is rooted in the ages old Aboriginal perspectives and wisdom of child rearing and traditional ways of contributing to and relying on the community. Aboriginal Adult Teaching Methodology is practiced to train future AECE professionals.

Our post-basic AECE students further increase their knowledge in child development related to children with exceptionalities, learn about the role of the Special Needs Educator, create curricula for inclusive early childhood education settings, develop practices and stimulating learning environments that are sensitive to the developmental needs and interests of exceptional children, as well as to their culture.

The combination of the theoretical foundations of childrearing and solid practical experience of working with exceptional children enables our graduates to competently and confidently join the field of the Early Childhood Education as qualified and experienced Special Needs Educators in the province of British Columbia.

We prepare our graduates for successful career in the field of the Aboriginal Early Childhood Education as Special Needs Educators. Working in this field is an exciting and rewarding endeavour for a dedicated person whose aim is to make a difference in the community by caring for children with exceptionalities.

The program is offered on a full-time basis and runs for six month. Small class size and the Traditional Long House environment contribute to higher quality preparation of our graduates.

Program Content Notes

Upon successful completion of this program, the graduates

1. will be employment ready and qualified to work as a Special Needs Educator in an inclusive ECE childcare setting;
2. can apply to the ECE registry for the Special Needs licensing

Entrance Requirements

Basic Early Childhood Education Special Needs Diploma

Semesters

SEMESTER I:

Core Courses of the Combined Diplomas Program:

ECE 269  Supervision and Management
ECE 282  Advanced Child Growth and Development
ECE 227  Working with Families
ECE 280  Aboriginal Health Care

Specialty Courses  of the Aboriginal Special Needs Educator Diploma Program:

ECE 289  Responsive Inclusive Environments
ECE 287  Practices in Supportive Childcare
ECE 288 Augmentative Communication
ECE 281 Block Practicum in Supported Childcare Setting (220 hours)

Note:   Students can sign up for the Aboriginal Special Needs Educator Diploma Program separately, or in combination with the Aboriginal Infant and Toddler Educator  Diploma.

Program Cost

$2,520 (Tuition only)

Course Descriptions

ECE 227
Working with Families of Infants and Toddlers and Exceptional Children

Working with Families of Infants and Toddlers and Exceptional Children
core course, 3 credits

ECE 269
Supervision and Management

Supervision and Management
core Course, 3 credits

ECE 280
Aboriginal Health Care and Safety for Post-basic ECE courses

Aboriginal Health Care and Safety for Post-basic ECE courses
core course, 3 credits

ECE 281
Aboriginal Early Childhood Education for Supported Childcare

Aboriginal Early Childhood Education for Supported Childcare
ASN Practicum, 10 credits

This practicum experience is designed to provide the student, under supervision, with opportunities to apply and consolidate knowledge and skills in working with aboriginal children who require extra support in group settings. Over six weeks in length, this block practicum places each student in early childhood setting with the children who have additional support needs.

ECE 282
Advanced Child Growth & Development

Advanced Child Growth & Development
core course, 3 credits

ECE 287
Practices in Supported Childcare

Practices in Supported Childcare
ASN specialty course, 4 credits

ECE 288
Augmentative Communication

Augmentative Communication
ASN specialty course, 3 credits

ECE 289
Responsive Inclusive Environments

Responsive Inclusive Environments
ASN specialty course, 4 credits

Program Content Notes

Upon successful completion of this program, the graduates

1. will be employment ready and qualified to work under supervision of a licensed Infant and Toddler Educator in an Infant and Toddler childcare setting;
2. can apply to the ECE registry for Infant and Toddler licensing

Entrance Requirements

Basic Early Childhood Education Infant and Toddler Diploma

Semesters

SEMESTER I:

Core Courses of the Combined Diplomas Program:

ECE 269 Supervision and Management
ECE 282 Advanced Child Growth and Development
ECE 227 Working with Families
ECE 280 Aboriginal Health Care

Specialty Courses for the Aboriginal Infant and Toddler Educator Diploma:

ECE 294  Aboriginal Practices with Infants and Toddlers
ECE 295  Block Practicum in an Infant anf Toddler Setting (220 hours)

Note: Students can sign up for the Aboriginal Infant and Toddler Educator Diploma separately, or in combination with the Aboriginal Special Needs Educator Diploma Program.

Program Cost

$2,520 (Tuition only)

Course Descriptions

ECE 227
Working with Families of Infants and Toddlers and Exceptional Children

Working with Families of Infants and Toddlers and Exceptional Children
core course, 3 credits

ECE 269
Supervision and Management

Supervision and Management
core Course, 3 credits

ECE 280
Aboriginal Health Care and Safety for Post-basic ECE courses

Aboriginal Health Care and Safety for Post-basic ECE courses
core course, 3 credits

ECE 282
Advanced Child Growth & Development

Advanced Child Growth & Development
core course, 3 credits

ECE 284
Aboriginal Practices with Infants and Toddlers

Aboriginal Practices with Infants and Toddlers
specialty course, 8 credits

This culmination course is designed to prepare the student to work as an Early childhood Educator with children under three years in an Aboriginal community. Emphasis will be on professional decision making, designing and implementing a safe nurturing inclusive Aboriginal program. This course builds on and expands knowledge from the basic ECE program regarding early childhood development theory, Aboriginal philosophy, historical approaches and high quality care.

ECE 295
Aboriginal Early Childhood Education for Infants and Toddlers

Aboriginal Early Childhood Education for Infants and Toddlers
Block Practicum, 10 credits

This practicum experience is designed to provide the student, under supervision, with opportunities to apply and consolidate knowledge and skills in working with aboriginal infants and toddlers in group settings. Five weeks in length, this block practicum places each student in early childhood setting for children under age three.

Start Dates

AECE Certificate Intake:
September (Fall)
November (Winter)

AECE Post Basic Intake (Infant and Toddler, Special Needs, or Dual):
September (Fall)

Faculty Qualifications

Inga Kossoroukova, AECE Program Coordinator/Instructor -- BA, M.Ed. in ECE, Current License to Practice ECE, SN, IAT in BC, Professional instructor's Diploma

Judy Olivieri, AECE Instructor --  BA, Current License to Practice ECE , SN, IAT  in BC, Professional instructor's Diploma

Vanessa Clark, AECE Instructor -- BA

Elizabeth Bishop, AECE Instructor -- BA, M.Ed (in progress)

Employment Prep

Students in all the programs are being trained for employment. The job search training is accomplished during the Practicum Preparation Seminars

Employers

Early Childhood Education settings in BC:  Day Care centres, Preschool centres

Partners

Aboriginal Head Start centres, Aboriginal Childcare centres
ECE cenres of the Lower Mainland

Note:  AECE Program  has no formal transfer agreements yet, but our Diploma graduates have been accepted into the third year of the Capilano University ECCE Degree program and our Certificate grads have been accepted to the Douglas College ECE Diploma Program.