ECED coordinates four certificate and two diploma programs that are designed to enhance, deepen, and enrich early childhood professional’s knowledge and skill in creating optimal and inclusive early learning environments, assessing children appropriately, communicating with families, and designing learning experiences to foster children’s development and learning.
Certificate programs are comprised of five 3-credit courses (15 credits total). Diploma programs are comprised of ten 3-credit courses (30 credits total).
Most certificate and diploma courses are available as distance education (online) courses.
If you have questions about certificates or diplomas in ECED, please see our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page.
Certificate in Infant Development & Supported Child Development (IDSC)
This certificate program aims to provide students with a basic foundation of the knowledge and skills needed to work with young children (birth to 9 years) with special needs and their families especially in the Infant Development Program (IDP) and the Supported Child Development program (SCD).
This certificate requires that you take the following two courses (6 credits) at the beginning of the IDSC Certificate Program, in either order:
- EPSE 348 (3) Family-Centred Practice for Children with Special Needs
- EPSE 406 (3) Typical and Atypical Development in Infants and Young Children
Followed by:
And two of:
- ECED 440 (3) Supporting Social and Communication Development in Infants and Young Children with Special Needs
- ECED 441 (3) Early Intervention for Infants and Young Children with Sensory Loss and Motor Impairments
- ECED 442 (3) Supporting Indigenous Infants and Young Children Within the Contexts of Their Communities
Certificate in Early Years Education (EYED)
This certificate program focuses broadly on developing ECE curricula and the principles of teaching and learning in the early years (preschool to Grade 3).
This certificate requires the following course:
Plus four electives (12 credits) from the following list:
- ECED 400 - Introduction to Early Childhood Education and Care
- ECED 401 - Supporting Young Children's Health and Well-Being in Early Childhood Settings
- ECED 406 - Early Learning Curriculum in the Pre-School Years
- ECED 407 - Supporting Early Learning in the Pre-School Years
- ECED 416 - Kindergarten Curriculum
- ECED 417 - Supporting Learning in the Kindergarten Year
- ECED 420 - History of Early Childhood Education
- ECED 421 - Supporting Young Children Through Home, School, and Community Relationships
- ECED 425 - Advanced Studies in Early Childhood Education
- ECED 438 - Observation and Documentation in Early Childhood Settings
- ECED 442 - Supporting Indigenous Children and Families in Early Education Contexts
- ECED 480 - Selected Topics in Early Childhood Education
Previous Certificates
If you are currently in one of these programs, you will be able to continue to completion.
New admissions and registration are no longer available for these certificate programs.
Certificate in Educating Young Children (EYC)
This certificate program focuses broadly on developing ECE curricula and the principles of teaching and learning in the early years (preschool to Grade 3).
This certificate requires the following course:
Plus any four upper-level undergraduate ECED courses (12 credits), or three upper-level undergraduate ECED courses (9 credits) plus one approved elective (3 credits) in a related field.
Enhancing Early Learning Certificate (EEL)
This certificate program focuses on the learning and teaching of children ages 3 to 5.
This certificate requires the three following courses (9 credits):
- ECED 405 (3) Foundations of Early Childhood Curriculum and Instruction
- ECED 406 (3) Early Learning Curriculum in the Pre-School Years
- ECED 407 (3) Supporting Early Learning in the Pre-School Years
Plus two electives (6 credits) from the following list:
- ECED 400 (3) Introduction to Early Childhood Education and Care
- ECED 401 (3) Supporting Young Children's Health and Well-being in Early Childhood Settings
- ECED 420 (3) History of Early Childhood Education
- ECED 421 (3) Supporting Young Children Through Home, School, and Community Relationships
- ECED 425 (3) Advanced Studies in Early Childhood Education
- ECED 438 (3) Observation and Documentation in Early Childhood Settings
- ECED 442 (3) Supporting Indigenous Children and Families in Early Education Contexts
- ECED 480 (3-12) Selected Topics in Early Childhood Education
The Certificate in Enhancing Early Learning Certificate does NOT qualify persons for a certificate to work in preschool and daycare settings as a qualified early childhood educator. For information regarding regulatory requirements for registration see The Early Childhood Education Registry.
Kindergarten Instruction Certificate (KIND)
This certificate program focuses on learning and teaching in the kindergarten.
Note, this program is designed for teachers, early childhood educators, and other early childhood professionals and does not lead to certification as a kindergarten teacher. Learn more about the BC Teaching Certificate through the UBC Teacher Education Office.
This certificate requires the three following courses (9 credits):
- ECED 405 (3) Foundations of Early Childhood Curriculum and Instruction
- ECED 416 (3) Kindergarten Curriculum
- ECED 417 (3) Supporting Learning in the Kindergarten Year
Plus two electives (6 credits) from the following list:
- ECED 401 (3) Supporting Young Children's Health and Well-being in Early Childhood Contexts
- ECED 420 (3) History of Early Childhood Education
- ECED 421 (3) Supporting Young Children Through Home, School, and Community Relationships
- ECED 425 (3) Advanced Studies in Early Childhood Education
- ECED 438 (3) Observation and Documentation in Early Childhood Settings
- ECED 442 (3) Supporting Indigenous Children and Families in Early Education Contexts
- ECED 480 (3-12) Selected Topics in Early Childhood Education
Diploma in Infant Development and Supported Child Development (IDSC)
The IDSC Diploma Program aims to provide professional and academic guidance to Infant Development (ID) and Supported Child Development (SCD) consultants, to raise their skill and knowledge levels beyond the introductory level, to enhance their level of practice, and to assist them in providing leadership (focus on ages birth to 9 years).
This diploma requires that you take all Infant Development and Supported Child Development Certificate Courses (18 credits):
- EPSE 348 (3) Family-Centred Practice for Children with Special Needs
- EPSE 406 (3) Typical and Atypical Development in Infants and Young Children
- ECED 439 (3) Assessment of Infants and Young Children with Special Needs
- ECED 440 (3) Supporting Social and Communication Development in Infants and Young Children with Special Needs
- ECED 441 (3) Early Intervention for Infants and Young Children with Sensory Loss and Motor Impairments
- ECED 442 (3) Supporting Indigenous Infants and Young Children Within the Contexts of Their Communities
Plus four approved elective courses (12 credits).
Note: One of the four electives must be taken through UBC, but the other three may be taken from approved courses offered through UBC or through other Universities or University Colleges. Approved elective credits may include, but are not limited to, courses from this listing Diplomas in EYED and IDSC Pre-approved Electives.
Diploma in Early Years Education (EYED)
This diploma is designed for teachers, early childhood educators, and other early childhood professionals who are interested in enhancing their professional practice with young children (pre-school to grade 3).
This diploma consists of the following four core courses (12 credits):
- ECED 405 (3) Foundations of Early Childhood Curriculum and Instruction
- ECED 420 (3) History of Early Childhood Education
- ECED 421 (3) Supporting Young Children Through Home, School, and Community Relationships
- ECED 438 (3) Observation and Documentation in Early Childhood Settings
Plus a minimum of three electives courses (9 credits) from the following list:
- ECED 400 (3) Introduction to Early Childhood Education and Care
- ECED 401 (3) Supporting Young Children's Health and Well-being in Early Childhood Settings
- ECED 406 (3) Early Learning Curriculum in the Pre-School Years
- ECED 407 (3) Supporting Early Learning in the Pre-School Years
- ECED 415 (3) Supporting Learning in The Primary Years
- ECED 416 (3) Kindergarten Curriculum
- ECED 417 (3) Supporting Learning in the Kindergarten Year
- ECED 425 (3) Advanced Studies in Early Childhood Education
- ECED 442 (3) Supporting Indigenous Children and Families in Early Education Contexts
- ECED 480 (3-12) c Selected Topics in Early Childhood Education
Plus three additional ECED electives or approved Faculty of Education elective courses in related fields (9 credits). Approved elective credits may include, but are not limited to, courses from this listing Diplomas in EYED and IDSC Pre-approved Electives.
Elective Credits
Approved elective credits may include, but are not limited to, courses from this listing Diplomas in EYED and IDSC Pre-approved Electives.
* Application Deadlines: February 28 for a May start | May 31 for a September start
Learn more about the University of British Columbia’s stream leading to a Basic ECE Certificate here.
Learn more about the BC Teaching Certificate through the UBC Teacher Education Office.