Why You Should Choose an ECE Diploma in 2025
This is the year you pursue your professional and career dreams and become an Early Childhood Educator (ECE). You can get your ECE Diploma in 2025 or certificate in Canada through Capital College.
Getting your ECE Diploma in 2025 is your gateway to a variety of career options within childcare and early learning. Depending on your chosen program, you can become an ECE Assistant in as little as 5-weeks. Or, commit to a more comprehensive 80-week program and get your ECE Diploma for even more employment opportunities.
In this article, we will explore what to expect when starting an ECE career and how to get a quality education to prepare you for rewarding career paths in ECE.
Why become an ECE?
Becoming an Early Childhood Educator is a rewarding career choice. You get to work with children daily and help enrich their lives.
As an ECE, you’re not stuck in one job. It opens limitless future opportunities to work within childcare and education, become a school administrator, or open your own school. You’ll also learn transferable skills that can be applied to other careers as well, including:
- Time management
- Communication skills
- Organizational skills
- Adaptability
- Emotional intelligence
- Teamwork
- …and many more.
What are the characteristics of a great ECE teacher?
It takes a passionate person to become a good ECE teacher. First of all, you need to love working with children. Other characteristics common to ECE teachers include:
- Patience
- Energic
- Good communicators
- Well Organized
- Flexibility and adaptability
- Creativity
- Compassionate and empathetic
- Value ongoing professional development
We think you’ll enjoy being an ECE teacher if you have these personality traits already come naturally to you.
What to expect as an ECE teacher
ECE teachers don’t sit behind a desk all day. They don’t stand in front of a whiteboard and lecture all day, either. Most of your day will be spent actively supporting the children, including walking around, standing, and kneeling.
As an ECE, you’ll be actively involved in children’s education and care. You are expected to be hands-on with activities and support.
Depending on where you work, your working hours may differ from the standard “9-5.” If children are dropped off before parents go to work, your shift may start earlier (closer to 6 or 7 a.m.). Your shift may extend to be available for after-school care until 6 or 7 p.m. Either way, your working days will typically be Monday through Friday unless your school has evening or weekend opening hours.
The number of children under your care will vary as well. Smaller home-based schools may only have a few children, whereas larger schools may have up to 20 or more. Don’t forget you may not be the only teacher. Here are some examples of teacher-child ratios in BC Schools:
- 30 months to school age (1-8 children) = 1 ECE
- 30 months to school age (17-25 children) = 1 ECE + 2 ECE Assistants
- Multi-age childcare, up to 12 years old (<8 children) = 1 ECE
Where to get your ECE Education
Capital College has a variety of ECE teacher education programs depending on your career goals and how much time you can dedicate to your schooling:
- Our Early Childhood Assistant program can be completed in as little as 5 weeks. It will enable you to begin work as an assistant in a childcare setting within BC.
- Our Early Childhood Education Infant and Toddler program specializes in infant and toddler care. This 24.5-week program includes in-class and practicum learning. You’ll be prepared to work in childcare settings with infants and toddlers.
- Get your ECE Certificate in just 52 weeks in the Early Childhood Education program. You’ll have ample time to practice your skills in the program’s 434 practicum hours.
- In our 80-week program, you can earn your full Early Childhood Education Diploma.
Our ECE programs have been approved by the Private Training Institutions Regulatory Unit (PTIRU) of the Ministry of Advanced Education, Skills & Training.
(If you want to specialize in Montessori education, we have courses for you, too)
Career Prospects for ECEs
An attractive feature for many ECE professionals is the wide range of employment options available upon finishing their ECE Diploma programs. You can work in a variety of settings, including:
- Montessori childcare centers
- Family resource programs
- Parent co-operative centers
- Private home Montessori childcare
- Settlement centers
- Childcare consulting programs
- Camp counselors
Another exciting option for many ECEs is opening their own school or childcare facility one day. With your diploma, experience in the childcare and education field, and some business acumen or mentorship, you can open your own facility one day.
Enrolling at Capital College for your ECE education
Are you ready to advance your career with the latest in ECE programs? Capital College is now accepting new student applications for our most popular ECE and Montessori Programs.
Most programs include classroom learning (virtual or in-person in Richmond, BC) and hands-on practicum placements to practice and enhance your skills. This powerful combination gives you the skills and confidence you need to make a difference in families’ lives in your neighbourhood.
We accept both international students and Canadian applicants. Some Canadian students may qualify for bursaries or scholarships to help pay for their education at Capital College.
If you’re ready to start, call or email us for more information. You can also request a private informational interview on our website to talk 1-to-1 with a Capital College intake counselor.