Early Learning and Care, Diploma

Sharing the learning journey with children and families. Two years at Camosun can prepare you for a career as an Early Childhood Educator and set you up for entry into an in-demand field. Make a difference in the life of each child!

Apply now

Check our current program availability.

Early Learning Care

Program at a glance

Credential

Diploma

Work experience

Clinical/fieldwork placement

Study options

Full-time

Open to International

Yes

Area of study

Human Services

Length

2 years (16 months)

Information Sessions

The Early Learning and Care information sessions are a great way to learn more about the program and to get your questions answered by the faculty.
Scheduled Sessions

Make a difference in the life of each child

Start in September or January! Special one-time intake in May 2024!

In the Early Learning and Care (ELC) program, you'll be provided with cutting edge knowledge and skills to work collaboratively with children, families, professionals and communities. You'll learn to create responsive environments that support each child to reach their potential in every area.

HHS Student Handbook 

Current information for School of Health and Human Services students and ELC program specific handbook

We'll help you succeed

You will learn how to provide care and education that focuses on the needs of children and their families. You'll foster each child's optimal emotional, intellectual, linguistic, creative, physical, cultural and social development.

Hands-on learning

In the two years you'll spend in the ELC program, you'll participate in three practicum placements. Emphasis is placed on working collaboratively with families, within communities and with other professionals.

Graduates

Graduates are prepared with a strong foundation for many professional opportunities in the field of early learning and care. They have the specialized knowledge and skills necessary to create responsive, caring environments for all including infants, toddlers, pre-school age children and children with diverse abilities. Graduates are prepared to provide leadership and advocacy within the community of early learning and care.

Further transfer opportunities

Graduates with a diploma in ELC have transfer credit towards a degree in Child and Youth Care. If you decide to continue with further education you may eventually seek employment as a licensing officer, consultant, policy analyst or college instructor. You'll have an exciting role in a quickly developing field of work. As public awareness of the importance of the early years grows, early childhood educators are beginning to receive professional recognition and appropriate pay for the role they play in the lives of young children. You may choose to pursue further education towards the Child and Youth Care degree at:

Indigenous Priority Seating

Indigenous Limited Priority Admissions 

The School of Health & Human Services (HHS) offers Priority Seating for Indigenous students in all Health related programs.

Visit Eyēʔ Sqȃ’lewen - Centre for Indigenous Education & Community Connections (IECC) for information on how to apply.  

Any questions about the application process, please contact hhsindigenoussupport@camosun.ca

The Indigenous Limited Priority Admissions process, approved by the Board of Governors, supported by the Education Council, and approved by the BC Human Rights Tribunal, welcomes applications from all qualified Indigenous applicants.

What you'll learn

Current students wanting information about your program, go to student planning in myCamosun.

Program outline

For more details, including courses, please see the program outline in the Academic Calendar.

Program outline

What to expect

Located at our Interurban campus, the ELC program is two academic years long. If you’re enrolling as a full time student you’ll be taking the equivalent of 5 or 6 courses each term with a combination of 11-16 class hours and 6-18 practicum hours in local early learning and care programs each semester. It’s common for an additional 15-30 hours per week be spent on homework. Student assessment occurs in all courses, and may include research papers, reflective journals, projects, presentations, and exams. Some courses may be offered via distance delivery.

This is a rigorous program with a combination of academic and hands-on practical experiences.

Year 1

In your first year, you’ll receive the skills and knowledge to guide children’s behaviour and their environment, while supporting and developing good communication skills.

Year 2

In your second year, you’ll consolidate and integrate your foundational knowledge. Then you will go deeper into leadership, professional practice and specialty focus.

*Please note, that the CRC can take 6-8 weeks to be returned, and the First Aid courses are often full. You are encouraged to start your CRC and register for First Aid as soon as possible to prevent any delays.

Tuition and fees

Effective from September 1, 2023, to August 31, 2024

Estimated tuition

Tuition estimates are for the entire program.

Early Learning and Care, Diploma

$7,993 (domestic)
$31,780 (international)

Domestic tuition fees vary depending on the individual course fees for the classes you select.

For International students visit: International Tuition & Fees.

Student fees

In addition to tuition estimates, student fees are calculated based on your enrolment. Refer to: Student Fees.

Financial assistance

You may need to find more than one source of funding to help pay for your education and living costs while attending college. Check out sources of money you don't need to pay back as well as those that need to be repaid.

Financial Aid & Awards 

Curriculum & courses

Admission requirements

One of:

  • C+ in English 12 
  • C in English 12 Camosun Alternative  

And all of:

  • Info Session: Attendance at a scheduled Early Learning and Care program Information Session is required.
  • *Experience: Submit proof of completion of 40 hours experience as an employee or volunteer within the past five years in an early years group program/setting/child care. Experience must be with children five years of age and under. Experience may include up to two settings, with a minimum of 20 hours in each.

        You are required to submit a letter from your employer/supervisor verifying:

  • your name
  • hours of experience, including date range
  • name, address and description of the early years program/setting/child care, and age range and number of children
  • signature, name, title and contact information of the employer/supervisor

*Camosun is waiving this 40 hours admission requirement for the Fall 2023 and Winter 2024 ELC Diploma Program intakes. 

When you apply you will need to submit proof that you meet the program admission requirements listed above. Where a letter grade is specified, you must have proof of that grade or higher.

For more details, including courses, please see the program outline in the Academic Calendar: Loading...

Ready to get started?

Apply now

Check our current program availability.

Missing admission requirements?

You may be able to take an assessment or upgrade with us.

Need help applying?

Find out more on How to Apply or speak to an Admissions Advisor.

Contact us

If you have admissions questions contact us today!

If you have questions about what you can expect to learn in your Health and Human Services classes contact hhsinfo@camosun.ca

Faculty/staff profile

Jeanne Puritch

Jeanne Puritch

Chair, ELC and EACS

puritchj@camosun.ca
250-370-4673
Alex & Jo Campbell Centre for Health and Wellness (CHW)
Full bio

Faculty/staff profile

Anastasia Butcher

Anastasia Butcher

Instructor

butchera@camosun.ca
250-370-4290
Alex & Jo Campbell Centre for Health and Wellness
Full bio

Faculty/staff profile

Enid Elliot

Enid Elliot

Instructor

elliote@camosun.ca
250-370-4289
Alex & Jo Campbell Centre for Health and Wellness
Full bio

Faculty/staff profile

Jessica Fee

Jessica Fee

Instructor

Feej@camosun.ca
250-370-4291
Alex & Jo Campbell Centre for Health and Wellness
Full bio

Faculty/staff profile

null

Lindsay Lichty

Instructor, Early Learning and Care (ELC)

lichtyl@camosun.ca
250-370-3000 ext. 1029
Alex & Jo Campbell Centre for Health and Wellness (CHW)
Full bio

An adult gently leads a toddler across a log on a playground.

Learn more

For more details, including courses, please see the program outline in the Academic Calendar. 

Contact information

School of Health and Human Services

Campus location

Centre for Health and Wellness (CHW) 207

Location link

Interurban Campus

250-370-4072

hhsinfo@camosun.ca


 

Admissions questions: