The Rural Communities Early Childhood Institute (RCECI) ​was formed in January 2015 to address the immediate need for certified early childhood educators in rural communities. All of the community-led initiatives offered by this progressive institute are founded on the knowledge and expertise of caring parenting partners who are at the forefront of professional practice. RCECI honours the inherent rights of Indigenous Peoples whose traditional territories we live within and whose wisdom, teachings, friendship, and leadership nurture our minds, bodies, and spirits.

Current Initiatives

Entry to Early Childhood Education Certificate Program
This college and university preparatory program is for individuals interested in early childhood education and related fields of study. 
Expedited Early Childhood Educator Certification  
RCECI's expedited early childhood educator certification initiative speeds up the provincial certification process by assisting groups of individuals who work within a particular location to develop quality professional practice portfolios that meet provincial occupational standards...
Pillars Workshop  
Pillars examines the relationship between shared guiding principles and professional practice. The workshop uses respectful relationships, inspiring spaces, and constructivist experiences to demonstrate the correlation between the quality of adults’ decision-making and the quality of children’s early life experiences. Find out how the Pillars workshop can help organizations like yours...

“Katherine is a staunch advocate of the benefits of outdoor planning & provided rich experience for her students. The creation of natural indoor environments is also a passion for her and she modeled this extensively for her students.”
— Pam Wetterstrand, Okanagan College

Inspiring spaces & constructivist experiences

For the latest news from RCECI

Rural Communities Early Childhood Institute