Early Childhood Education – Special Needs Educator

The Special Needs Educator Diploma is awarded upon successful completion of an Early Childhood Education certificate or equivalent, plus the required courses in the Special Needs Educator program. The Special Needs diploma is available online on a part-time basis, providing the opportunity for you to work while going to school.

Diploma students can enter into their courses in September, January or April of each year.

Individuals who choose to work as Early Childhood Educators should:

• Be caring and have the desire to make a difference in the lives of children.
• Be comfortable providing fair but firm discipline
• Have strong communication skills with children and parents of various cultural backgrounds.

Why Choose an Early Childhood Special Needs Educator Career?

• Work in a variety of settings including: child care centres, early learning programs, preschool programs, schools, recreational facilities and more.
• Work BC forecasts an opening of close to 6,300 jobs to replace retiring workers over the next 10 years with an additional 3,000 openings due to economic growth.
• Work BC: Industry sources report that those with a Special Needs diploma are being employed as teaching assistants in elementary school classrooms.

Special Needs Educator Diploma Requirements:

Fall Semester

Winter Semester

Spring Semester

*ECED 253 is offered each semester and may be taken once all prerequisites have been met.

View official program outline.

The Special Needs Educator Diploma is awarded upon successful completion of an Early Childhood Education certificate or equivalent, plus the required courses in the Special Needs Educator program as listed below.

Note: ECED 253 is offered each semester and may be taken once all prerequisites have been met.

Fall Semester

The Special Needs Educator Diploma is awarded upon successful completion of an Early Childhood Education certificate or equivalent, plus the required courses in the Special Needs Educator program as listed below.

Note: ECED 253 is offered each semester and may be taken once all prerequisites have been met.

Winter Semester

Spring Semester

Academic Requirements:

• Child, Youth and Family Studies Program: Early Childhood Education Certificate or a Certificate in Early Childhood Education from an accredited college

Non-academic Requirements:

• Completion and submission of CYFS Admission Package
• Completion of immunizations, documented by the immunization form in the admission package, or completion of Immunization Waiver Form (lack of immunizations may impact applicant’s access to practicum placements)
• Good command of oral and written English language
• Complete a criminal record check through the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General Criminal Records Review Program

Thank you for your interest in applying to be a student in one of our Health and Human Services programs at the College of the Rockies. As a successful applicant, you will receive or have received a request to provide documentation confirming you are current in immunizations.

Immunizations:

Immunization services in BC are in flux as Public Health Departments must regularly reprioritize resource distribution. Public Health agencies will do their best to accommodate College of the Rockies student immunizations by individual appointment. Immunizations are also available through local pharmacists and Travel Clinics. We recommend that students continue to pursue obtaining required immunizations to complete program admission and practicum placement requirements as soon as available.

It is the responsibility of the student to continue to actively seek to obtain and complete these requirements.

Obtaining and completing these admission requirements can be more difficult, your admission into the Health and Human Services programs will not be held up while you wait to complete these requirements.

Thank you for your cooperation in this matter

How to Apply for Admission:

• Complete a College of the Rockies Application Form. Submit required documentation confirming admission requirements.
• Qualified applicants will receive a CYFS Program Admissions Package. Once you receive the package, complete and return.

Tuition and Fees for Domestic Students:

For the 2024/25 academic year (2024/SU, 2024/FA, 2025/WI, 2025/SP)

_{*These prices are for domestic students and may not be 100% accurate. However, these estimates will give you an adequate idea of tuition and fees for our programs. These prices do not include textbook costs. All prices are subject to change. Tuition fees include an alumni fee, student activity fees, and a student technology fee. In certain cases a materials and supply fee may also be included. For more information, visit: Tuition and Fees.}

Practicum Information

Where possible, students will complete their requirements for practicum in their own communities. If you not able to complete practicum requirements in their own communities, you must be prepared to travel elsewhere, and will be responsible for your own transportation as well as any travel and living expenses.

Students may be able to complete their practicum in their current workplace if the supervisor and center meet workplace practicum requirements.

Students are required to complete practicum hours in a licensed childcare facility under the supervision of an early childhood educator who is certified by the ECE Registry.    

ECE practicums must be completed in British Columbia. If you were hoping to complete a practicum outside of British Columbia, please speak with the Practicum Coordinator, Lynn Wood, prior to applying.

Flexible Assessment:

Credit can be awarded for one or more courses in this program through Flexible Assessment.

Licensing Requirements

This program meets the requirements of the BC Community Care Facilities Licensing Branch for certification as a Special Needs Educator.

Information on additional licensing requirements:

BC Government – Early Childhood Education Registry
Phone: 250-356-6501 | Toll Free: 1-888-338-6622
Fax: 250-952-0765
Email: ECERegistry@gov.bc.ca