Our Mission
The mission of the ECCE program is to foster intellectual curiosity and critical thinking relevant to advocacy and leadership in early childhood education careers, advanced study, and lifelong learning.
The Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) program began in 1968 when Capilano University (College at the time) was first established on the North Shore of Vancouver . It quickly grew and began offering ECCE courses at the Squamish and Sunshine Coast regional campuses. The ECCE department offered both basic and post basic programs (Infant/Toddler and Special Needs) to constitute a two-year diploma. Over the years, the programs have been offered as full time (days), part time (evenings), weekend and summer intensive institutes.
In 1993, faculty from Capilano joined the first delegation of educators from the Vancouver Lower Mainland, to attend a study session in Reggio Emilia, Italy. This was followed by several conferences at Capilano that, in turn, led to rich and ongoing dialogues with educators both locally and globally. Based on these experiences, the ECCE program initiated an extensive process of change that included deep examination of the principles from Reggio Emilia and their impact on the existing ECCE program. The ECCE program continues to both promote intellectual curiosity and critical thinking and, to integrate challenge and change in all their current programs.
Since 2001, the ECCE program has included International opportunities for students to study and work abroad. Students have completed practicums in Kindergartens in Beijing, China. In addition, students have participated in exchange programs with the University of East London, the Swedish Institute of Education and Abo Akademi University in Finland.
Since its beginnings, the Department has maintained an active partnership with the Capilano University Children's Centre and in 2006 launched a Pedagogista position.
The ECCE program (2009) now offers the first Bachelor of Early Childhood Care and Education in British Columbia.
