Early Learning and Care, Diploma

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)

Info sessions

Learn about your program and have questions answered by faculty.

Next sessions

Make a difference in the life of each child

Start in September or January!

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.

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:

University of Victoria
Vancouver Island University
University of the Fraser Valley
Douglas College
or Bachelor of Early Childhood Care & Education at Capilano University

Indigenous priority admissions

For a limited time each year, Camosun College offers priority seating for qualified Indigenous students in all Health and Human Services programs.

The Indigenous Limited Priority Admissions process is approved by the B.C. Human Rights Tribunal.

How to apply for an Indigenous priority seat.

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 six to eight 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.

A graphic representation of a hand pointing at a book with an "i" for information on the cover.

ELC program handbooks

Find current student information in the School of Health Sciences and Human Services and ELC program handbooks.

Tuition and fees

Effective from September 1, 2024, to August 31, 2025

Estimated tuition

Tuition estimates are for the entire program.

Early Learning and Care, Diploma

$8,153 (domestic)
$32,864 (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

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

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...