early childhood education

Ministry comes in many different forms. At Columbia Bible College we believe that the field of Early Childhood Education is an important and vital ministry of the church and Christian community. At Columbia, we teach students from a Christian perspective while equipping them with the skills and training needed to be effective workers in the Early Childhood Education field. This major provides students with BC Government approved ECE training in the Basic Level and Post-Basic Level in either Special Needs and/or Infant & Toddler Care. In addition, students are provided with a Biblical foundation and the practical skills required to teach young children in a variety of ECE settings.

Upon completion of 500 hours of approved work in the ECE field, graduates may apply for registration in BC as licensed Early Childhood Educators.

What makes this program unique?

The uniqueness of the Early Childhood program at Columbia Bible College is that the program provides BC Government approved training in the Basic or Post-Basic Level of Early Childhood Education from a Christian perspective. There are number of options within the Early Childhood program at Columbia Bible College, which include the following:

1 Year Certificate – 58 credit hours plus block practicum
This program is completed in three semesters; including a summer semester. The Certificate includes 12 credit hours of Bible and 46 credit hours of the Basic Level ECE training. The Certificate program can ladder into the Diploma in ECE.

2 Year Diploma – 89 credit hours plus block practicum
This program is completed in five semesters, including a summer semester at the end of year one. The Diploma in ECE includes the Basic Level as well as Post-Basic Special Needs and Infant & Toddler Care.

Post Basic Program - These programs are available to those who have completed the Basic Level and wish to upgrade to include Special Needs and/or Infant & Toddler Care.

*Admission to the ECE program requires a supplement ECE application.

What will be the outcome after taking this program?

Students will acquire a Biblical understanding as well as vocational training at the basic Early Childhood level. Career opportunities for the Diploma grads include preschool teachers, daycare supervisors, and daycare teachers.

The Post-Basic Diplomas are part-time programs that provide advanced level training to work with infants and toddlers and/or children with special needs.

"The ECE program has guided me in a way that has changed my life. With the support and encouragement of the teachers and my director, not only in my career decision, but in my personal life, I was able to listen to God's calling. The variety of practicum experiences helped shape the direction in which I was heading, and with the practical and applicable knowledge I have gained through the ECE program, I was able to walk into a career with confidence.”
Amy Langendoen – BA Grad 2005

The ECE program at CBC is an excellent program; the professors and director are all very friendly and approachable. There are many great things that I learned about working with children, and I thoroughly enjoyed the relationships that I made with the other students in the program.
Ben Born – BA Grad 2005

Please view the following page for detailed information on the Early Childhood Education program at Columbia:

View the Early Childhood Education program one page overview (pdf)

View the Early Childhood Education program overview and course requirements in our catalogue (pdf).

A student's perspective on the ECE program (article)

Faculty Information