More students around the province will soon have access to online training opportunities to become early childhood educators, thanks to an expansion of the program offered through the faculty of education at the University of British Columbia.

“By expanding the number of students in UBC’s early childhood education training program, we are helping students get into rewarding careers with the skills and knowledge to give the children in their care a brighter tomorrow,” said Melanie Mark, Minister of Advanced Education, Skills and Training. “The part-time online program gives students the flexibility to work education into their busy lives, and improves access to post-secondary education.”

With a $350,000 investment over three years, the B.C. government is helping UBC add a new part-time early childhood education (ECE) certificate program online for 72 students. The first group of 36 students will begin in September 2018 and the second will begin in January 2019.

“The majority of a child’s brain development happens in the first six years of life, and that’s why it’s so important to improve children’s access to quality early learning experiences,” said Katrine Conroy, Minister of Children and Family Development. “That’s also why providing flexible educational options for ECE students, who want to care for young children, is so important. As a former ECE, I know that these new virtual seats will make a huge difference to the B.C. parents who will be able to access high-quality care for their kids.”

Based on the 2017 Labour Market Outlook, B.C. will need 9,100 additional early childhood educators by 2027. Training quality early childhood educators is key to ensuring that B.C. children have access to quality early childhood education programs in communities throughout B.C.

“We greatly appreciate this funding support from the government,” said Blye Frank, dean of UBC’s faculty of education. “This funding allows us to expand the opportunities to study for a rewarding career in early childhood care and learning for more education students, both by offering more student spaces and also enhancing accessibility to training through the new online program.”

Quick Facts:

• Childcare BC outlines the Province’s $1-billion investment over three years to help lay the foundation for a universal child care system that will provide B.C. parents with access to quality, affordable child care wherever and whenever they need it.
• Funding for the expansion at the faculty of education at UBC is part of the $7.4 million over three years that the Ministry of Advanced Education, Skills and Training has committed to fund an additional 620 early childhood educator graduates at public post-secondary institutions throughout B.C.

Learn More:

For more information about child care in B.C., visit: www.gov.bc.ca/childcare

For more information about the early childhood care and learning program at UBC, visit: http://earlychildhood.educ.ubc.ca/