Early Childhood Assistant (ECA) Certificate & Diploma
This fully online program series is designed for individuals looking to work or volunteer as an
Early Childhood Assistant (ECA) or who are already currently working in the field and seeking to
obtain an ECA Certificate or Diploma to upgrade their qualifications and advance their career.
High Demand Education Field
If you are looking for a career in education and enjoy working with children this could be the
path for you. There is currently a major shortage of ECEs and ECAs across Canada, so by
providing accessible, accelerated, and more affordable training programs for Early Childhood
Assistants this program aims to help contribute to bridge that gap as well as upskilling existing
staff. Through a series of online course modules participants develop key aptitudes, knowledge,
and skills needed to work with children in an early childhood education environment. By micro-
credentialing the program, graduates can first obtain their ECA Certificate to apply for jobs or
volunteer placements and then decide whether or not they need the Diploma to reach their
career goals or have the option to upgrade from the Certificate to the Diploma at any time for
professional development.
Early Childhood Assistant (ECA) Certificate
The 100-hour online ECA Certificate program is comprised of two sessions and 10
asynchronous course modules. It can be taken as a stand-alone Certificate program or as a
micro-credential of the Diploma program.
Early Childhood Assistant (ECA) Diploma
The 300-hour ECA Diploma program is comprised of four sessions and 20 asynchronous
course modules plus a 100-hour practicum.
About the Sessions:
All sessions have any time start dates. You may enroll one session at a time (occasional study),
two sessions concurrently (part-time studies), or all four sessions concurrently (full-time
studies).
About the Online Course Modules:
All modules are 10 hours self-directed and allow participants to decide their own pace and study
schedule. Course modules have any time start dates and are always accessible. Participants
have up to 6 months to complete each session; however, the full program can be completed in
less than 6 months by completing more sessions concurrently. There are journaling prompts,
reflections, and a final test in each module. Participants are allowed more than one attempt at
the tests to achieve a passing grade or to improve on their grade.
Program Sessions & Modules by Topic:
Session One:
ECAF1001 Foundations of Early Childhood Education
ECOM1001 Essential Communication Skills
EPSY1001 Introduction to Child Psychology
ECOM1002 Personal and Interpersonal Dynamics
EPSY1002 Infant and Child Development
Session Two:
ESOC1001 Introduction to Sociology
EPSY1003 Child, Family, and Community
ECAF1002 Safety in an Early Childhood Educational Setting
EHLT1001 Nutrition
ETEC1001 Adaptive and Assistive Technology in Early Childhood Education
Upon completion of Sessions 1 & 2 you will be issued your Early Childhood Assistant
(ECA) Certificate and official transcript.
Session Three:
ECRC1001 Play-Based Early Learning Strategies
ECOM1003 Observation Skills
ECRC1002 Guiding Children’s Behaviour
ELNG1001 Language and Literacy
ELNG1002 English as a Second Language (ESL)
Session Four:
ECOM1003 Communication Exceptionalities
EEXP1001 Autism Spectrum Disorder
EEXP1002 Behaviour and Mental Health Exceptionalities
EEXP1003 Physical and Multiple Exceptionalities
ECAF1003 Creating Inclusive Programs
ECAP1000 ECA Practicum
Upon completion of Sessions 3 & 4 you will be issued your Early Childhood Assistant
(ECA) Diploma and official transcript.
ECA Practicum: This is volunteer, unpaid. Participants may begin the practicum course once
registered in Session Four. The practicum guidelines, materials, and evaluation forms are
provided with the course, so participants should not begin their practicum without being enrolled
in the practicum course. As this program is fully online and available across Canada,
participants are required to arrange their own volunteer practicum in their province/territory at an
approved early childhood education program or suitable ECA environment. At least 100 hours of
documented ECA volunteering and a positive performance review must be completed for this
course. *Participants with previous experience in the field may obtain credit for the course.
ECA as a High Demand and National Occupation in Canada:
According to the National Occupation Code (NOC) 4214 for Early Childcare Assistants
(ECA) in Canada, main duties include some or all of the following:
-Conduct and monitor activity programs designed for young children
-Lead children in activities by telling stories, teaching songs and preparing craft
materials
-Prepare and serve snacks
-Arrange rooms and furniture for lunch and rest periods
-Assist with proper eating, dressing and toilet habits
-Submit written observations on children to supervisor
-Attend staff meetings to discuss progress and problems of children
-Assist supervisor in keeping records
-Maintain day-care equipment and assist in housekeeping duties.
Also according to the government NOC code, the employment requirements for ECAs in
Canada are:
-Completion of secondary school is usually required.
-Experience in child care, such as babysitting, is required.
-Completion of an early childhood education assistant certificate program may be
required.
Source:
https://noc.esdc.gc.ca/Structure/NOCProfile?GocTemplateCulture=en-CA&code=4214&version=2006.0
Though an ECA certificate or diploma may not be required for employment, having an
ECA Certificate and/or Diploma will often be considered an asset and beneficial to those
looking to enter or advance in the field.
Admission Requirement: Minimum high school diploma and fluency in English. By registering
in this program, you are attesting that you have completed high school and have at least a CLB
5 level of English.
Tuition Fee: $450 per session
*Total Tuition for both ECA Certificate & ECA Diploma: $1,800 (includes all course
books/materials)
How to Register:
Simple, safe, secure, using the “Add to Cart” button below. Please allow up to 48 hours for your
registration to be processed and for you to receive your username and password by email.
