Department of Early Childhood Education
The Early Childhood Education Department prepares students to work with young children in a variety of inclusive early childhood environments. Students will acquire the knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary to work with children, families and the community in planning enriched programs in daycares, preschools, infant/toddler centres and other early childhood initiatives that focus upon healthy early development.
ECE Work-Integrated Learning
Are you interested in working at your current childcare provider and studying ECE at Okanagan College? A work-integrated learning (WIL) project is under development that will progress ECE Assistants and Responsible Adults to earn their ECE Certificate, Diploma, Infant Toddler Educator, and/ Special Needs Educator Certifications. Click on the link below to submit an expression of interest and we will contact you with further details.
ECE Diploma
This two-year program is the foundational education required for all Early Childhood Educators.
Infant Toddler Certificate
After gaining experience in the field, this advanced training certificate allows graduates to work with infants and toddlers.
Courses
Explore the courses offered within ECE programs at Okanagan College.
Instructors
Terri-Lynn Russell
Chair - Early Childhood Education
Email: trussell@okanagan.bc.ca
Office: Health Sciences Centre 304
Campus: Kelowna
Phone: 250-762-5445 ext. 4387
I have worked in the childcare field since 1996. My work experience has included working in licensed family daycare, group daycare and preschool. I worked for over 10 years with children and families requiring extra support needs in our community. I have worked as an instructor in the ECE department at OC since 2017.
Credentials:
MSW, UBC Okanagan
BSW, UBC Okanagan
PIDP, VCC
ECE, UFV
Michelle Erridge
Early Childhood Education
Email: merridge@okanagan.bc.ca
Office: Main Building C345
Campus: Vernon
Phone: 250-545-7291 ext. 2212
Barb Fay
Early Childhood Education
Email: bfay@okanagan.bc.ca
Office: Health Sciences Centre 304
Campus: Kelowna
Phone: 250-545-7291 ext. 2288
Heather Ross
Early Childhood Education
Email: hross@okanagan.bc.ca
Office: Health Sciences Centre 304
Campus: Kelowna
Phone: 250-762-5445 ext. 4319
Credentials:
MA, Applied Behavioral Science, Leadership Institute of Seattle
BA, Psychology, University of Waterloo
Diploma, ECE, Okanagan College
Andrea Thiessen
Early Childhood Education
Email: athiessen@okanagan.bc.ca
Office: Health Sciences Centre 304
Campus: Kelowna
Phone: 250-762-5445
Credentials:
MSc, Child and Family Studies, University of Southern Mississippi
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