Become an Early Childhood Educator

Last updated on December 2, 2024

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Early Childhood Educators (ECEs) play a critical role in providing education and care for young children. To work as an ECE or ECE Assistant in a licensed child care facility in B.C. you must be certified by the ECE Registry.

Learn about the certificate types and requirements, and how to become certified or renew your certificate.

Important information about the Canada Post Strike

  • Certified Early Childhood Educators and applicants for certification may experience delays in processing applications and receiving issued certificates due to the Canada Post strike  
  • For the duration of the postal disruption, applications for certification and renewal can be submitted via fax to (250) 953-3327. For long distance faxes outside of the Victoria area, preface the fax number with a 1
  • Requests for copies of a certificate can be made to the ECE Registry at ECERegistry@gov.bc.ca and will be sent to the registrant's email address on file
  • The ministry anticipates that the Canada Post strike may impact renewal for a small number of currently practicing ECEs whose ability to provide care will be temporarily suspended if their documentation is not received and processed before their renewal date
  • At this time, the ECE Registry is not able to receive documents by mail or accept in-person drop-offs
  • The ECE Registry does not have the ability to exempt certification. However, Health Authorities can exempt staffing ratios. If a child care provider is concerned, they are encouraged to contact their licensing officer to inquire about possible exemptions
  • In the coming weeks, the Province will be launching My ECE Registry, a new digital platform that will streamline ECE certification. Current and prospective ECEs will be able to access the My ECE Registry for all ECE certification and renewal applications
  • Child Care Providers / Licensees will still be able to verify ECE certification status online

Coming soon: My ECE Registry digital platform! Learn more about My ECE Registry, a new and exciting online tool coming in 2025.

Certificate types

  • Explore which ECE certificate you may qualify for based on your education and experience

Prepare and apply for certification

Maintain your certification


ECE profession in B.C.

Complaints and investigations

Validate a certificate

  • Validate a certificate online with an ECE or ECE Assistant’s last name, certificate (registration) number and certificate expiry date

Contact information

Contact the ECE Registry

Phone

Victoria: 250-356-6501

Toll-free: 1-888 338-6622

Mail

PO Box 9961 STN PROV GOVT
Victoria, BC V8W 9R4


Duty to report

If you think a child is being abused or neglected, you have the legal duty to report your concern to a child welfare worker.

Phone 1-800-663-9122 any time.