Becoming an Early Childhood Educator: How ATS Can Help
Did you know that ATS can assist you in becoming an Early Childhood Educator (ECE) in BC? This article provides information about an ECE’s responsibilities, employment opportunities, career paths, exam and registration details, and exam preparation tips.
What Does an ECE Do?
According to
WorkBC, ECEs work with children aged 0-5 in licensed childcare facilities. They are concerned with their intellectual, physical, social, and emotional growth. For example, they teach children through play, stories, music, art, and movement. Additionally, they are responsible for keeping children safe and healthy while in their care, helping them develop life skills and building their sense of identity. ECEs also regularly communicate with parents and guardians, address potential issues, and are required to adhere to BC's Early Learning Framework.
Career Opportunities
Early Childhood Educators may be employed by various institutions, including:
- Daycares
- Nursery Schools
- Preschools
- Community Centres
They may receive one of the following titles:
- Early Childhood Educator
- Daycare Assistant
- Respite Provider
- Special Needs Educator
How to Become an ECE in BC?
Early Childhood Education is a regulated field across Canada, and its requirements vary by province. In BC, the
ECE Registry is responsible for overseeing these requirements. Firstly, aspiring ECEs must pursue relevant education in BC (or equivalent). There are many institutions recognized by the BC ECE Registry, including the following:
Programs vary between institutions, but most schools offer an introductory ECE certificate program. For example,
PRECI offers the Basic Early Childhood Educator Certificate, a 41-week full-time program equipping you with the necessary skills to work with children aged 3-5. It covers topics such as health, safety, nutrition, and growth. Upon graduation, you may apply to one of BC's three main
certificate options. You will also need to undergo a health exam and a criminal record check.
5-year Certificate
- Full license
- Successful completion of relevant education
- 500 hours of supervised work experience.
- Must be renewed every five years
1-year Certificate
- Work as a fully certified ECE while completing your 500 hours
- Can only be renewed once
- Successful completion of relevant education
- Must be renewedwithin one year
ECEA Certificate:
- Work under the supervision of a fully licensed ECE
- Successful completion of at least one eligible early childhood education course completed within the last five years
- Must be renewed every five years
What Exams does ATS administer?
ATS administers final exams for basic ECE certificate courses titled Curriculum 1, 2, and 3 at PRECI, though course names vary by institution.
Content:
ECE Curriculum 1:
- planning children’s activities
- promotion of creative expression
- appropriate indoor and outdoor environments
- value of learning through play
ECE Curriculum 2:
- communication, physical and cognitive skills
- Resources and activities for language development
- physical and cognitive development
- early mathematical, science and social studies activities
ECE Curriculum 3:
- The value of art, music, and movement
- Planning of creative experiences
- Technology
- Diverse holidays and celebrations
How can I Register?
Students are responsible for arranging a proctor and an appointment. Depending on the institution, ATS may need to be approved as a proctor. However, in some cases, we have been pre-approved, for example, through PRECI. Once the exam has been requested and ATS has been approved, the student will make an appointment on the ATS website and the exam is sent to ATS. After completion, we will email the exam to the course instructor for grading.
Why Choose ATS?
ATS offers a comfortable and safe testing environment to remove unnecessary stress on your exam day. Our welcoming team ensures academic integrity through consistent audio and video monitoring. With over 55,000 test-takers having taken one of our 450+ exams, ATS is one of the best exam centres available and is highly rated by Pearson, Yardstick, and Prometric.
How can I prepare?
Familiarizing yourself with the exam format and concepts is crucial to avoid stress during the exam. For example, try to describe concepts to family members and rephrase them in your own words. Establishing a routine, taking breaks, and studying at the right time of day can also be helpful. Additionally, you should arrive at least 30 minutes before your scheduled exam and bring a government-issued photo ID and your credit card. There is no need to bring additional items as ATS provides all required materials. We look forward to welcoming you at ATS.
