What is ECE?
Early Childhood Educators work in daycares, preschools, nursery schools, and sometimes in the public-school settings. They provide care and learning opportunities to children up to the age of 5. Responsible play, socialization, and creativity are some key developmental milestones achieved while in the care of an ECE professional. Explore WorkBC Labour Market Information for Early Childhood Educators and Assistants to understand earnings, job outlook, and areas of need.
ECE Dual Credit Program
Are you a passionate about working with young children? Are you determined, responsible, and self sufficient? If so, UFV's Early Childhood Education Certificate program is for you! UFV’s Early Childhood Education (ECE) Certificate program provides an excellent foundation to pursue a career working with young children.
UFV’s Early Childhood Education (ECE) Certificate program is an excellent foundation to pursue a career working with young children.
UFV works with school districts throughout the Fraser Valley to provide a post-secondary educational experience for students who are still in high school. All schoolwork and communications with UFV is the responsibility of the student and the appropriate school district representative.
If you are a School District Representative, please have your interested students complete the documents (leave the payment section blank) below and email* them to: soeinfo@ufv.ca
*emails must come from SD email address
Abbotsford/Langley Chilliwack/Agassiz SCSBC
Semester One
You will take the following course(s)*
*Not all dual credit programs follow a two course per semester model.
Important dates and deadlines:
First day of classes: Sept. 3, 2025
Last day of classes: Dec. 5, 2025
Last day to withdraw: Oct. 1, 2025
Learn more about withdrawing from a course.
Semester Two
You will take the following course(s)*
*Not all dual-credit programs follow a two course per semester model.
Important dates and deadlines:
First day of classes: TBD
Last day of classes: TBD
Last day to withdraw: TBD
This information will be updated as it becomes available.
Resources:
For questions about:
- the ECE program,
- life at UFV, or
- continuing your education
please email soeinfo@ufv.ca.
Once Admitted to the ECE Dual Credit Program:
After completing ECE 100 you are eligible to apply for your ECE Assistant (ECEA) certificate. An ECEA can work at a childcare facility under the supervision of an ECE professional.
How to apply: Apply with the BC ECE Registry. You will need your official UFV transcript to complete your application.
You will need to apply to UFV to continue the ECE Certificate program after you graduate from high school. Applications open October 1st for the next Fall intake. See How to Apply for your next steps.
To check if UFV Admissions has received your documents or to check your application status, sign into your UFV Applicant Portal. For questions about your applicant portal information, contact UFV Admissions at admissions@ufv.ca including your name and UFV application number.
Book an Appointment with an Academic Advisor
If you are interested in continuing in the ECE Certificate program after high school and need assistance with course planning, you can book an appointment with a School of Education Academic Advisor, book here.
If you are interested in other programs at UFV, please contact the Advising Centre to schedule an appointment, book here.
Continuing your Education at UFV:
If you are a ECE dual credit student admitted into the UFV ECE Certificate program prior to Fall 2026 and successfully completed these courses:
- ECE 100,
- ECE 103,
- ECE 101, and
- CMNS 125
as part of your UFV ECE dual credit program, in the UFV Certificate program you will register for:
See Upcoming Courses for more information.
*SCSBC students will also need to register for ECE 101 and CMNS 125 in Semester I (Fall) as they do not complete these courses as part of their dual credit program.
It is a requirement for work sites in BC to have someone on site who has their First Aid and CPR Certificate. Students can apply to the Student Experience Funding (SEF) to request to cover the costs.
If you are interested in other programs at UFV, please contact the Advising Centre to schedule an appointment, book here.
Are you a school representative that is interested in bringing the ECE dual credit program to your school?
Please contact soeinfo@ufv.ca for more information.
