OVERVIEW

The Indigenous Early Childhood Education (IECE) program at NVIT prepares graduates to be effective early childhood development workers by meeting provincial licensing, academic, community, and Indigenous standards. Offered in partnership with communities, the program involves local elders and knowledge keepers in its delivery, providing a unique focus on Indigenous content in both certificate and diploma pathways.

The Indigenous Early Childhood Education program (IECE) is designed to meet provincial licensing, academic standards, community and Indigenous standards to ensure NVIT graduates are successful and effective early childhood development workers in BC communities. The Indigenous Early Childhood Education programs are unique in that they are only delivered in partnership with communities. This ensures that communities have local elders and knowledge keepers involved with the delivery of programs.

Certificate

The certificate program is an exciting and progressive program with a focus on Indigenous content in the curriculum. Admission is open to all learners, particularly those wishing to explore and experience Early Childhood Education from an Indigenous perspective. Courses include Early Years Development, Music and Art, Children’s Literature and practicum experience. This program is designed to run for ten and a half months from the beginning of September to the middle of July.

Diploma

The diploma program meets provincial certification and licensing standards for infant/toddler and special needs children. This program is designed to run eight months from the beginning of September to the end of April. Successful completion of this program allows graduates to work as supervisors in a variety of daycare settings, to work with children who have special needs and to work with infants and toddlers under three years of age.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Certificate Applicants:

• Grade 12 graduation, Mature Student status, or equivalent;
• English 12 or English Studies 12 or English First Peoples 12 or ENGL 060, or equivalent;
• A professional letter of reference, preferably from an individual working in the field of education or childcare.

Diploma Applicants:

• IECE/ECE Certificate from NVIT or another post-secondary institution;
• Medical Reference form for IECE (Upon request from NVIT);
• Immunization Record form for IECE (Upon request from NVIT);
• A professional letter of reference from an individual working in the childcare, education, or special needs field.

Additional Requirements for Practicum Placement

• Standard First Aid with CPR Level C;
• BC Food Safe Level 1;
• Immunizations (as required by Practicum sites and recommended by BC Centre for Disease Control, 2024): diphtheria and tetanus, polio, hepatitis B, measles, mumps & rubella (MMR), varicella, pertussis. (From BCCDC Guide) COVID-19 vaccination is recommended for HCWs to reduce worker illness during periods of high SARSCoV-2 circulation in the community and to reduce transmission of SARS-CoV-2 to vulnerable individuals receiving health care, personal care or home support in hospital or community settings.
  • • Please share your COVID-19 and Influenza vaccination status and provide supporting documentation if you have received your annual doses. If you cannot provide proof of these vaccinations, you will need to follow the protocols set by your clinical/practicum placement. These may include measures such as wearing a mask or completing a disclosure report.;
• Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General Criminal Record Check Clearance for Vulnerable Sector (RCMP Checks will not be accepted).
• Must have transportation in order to travel to practicum placements that are throughout the Nicola Valley and Thompson Regions.

NVIT is committed to ensuring education is accessible to all people. Students who do not meet program requirements should contact the Department Coordinator or an NVIT Academic Planner regarding upgrading opportunities.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS

CAREER PATHWAYS

Completing the IECE Diploma will provide an opportunity to Manage and oversee the following:

• Aboriginal Head Start Programs
• Strong Starts
• Daycare Centres
• Inclusive Support Programs
• Early Childhood Centres
• Family Daycares