Early Childhood Education

2 years – Ontario College Diploma

Apply Now
Book a tour
Contact

Field placement and volunteer opportunities that give you hands-on, real-world experience

Overview

Upcoming Intakes:

Winter 2026: College Drive – North Bay
Fall 2026: College Drive – North Bay

There is an increased demand for qualified early childhood educators. Get the skills you need to start a rewarding career working with young children. This activity-based program is taught using a holistic approach in which the stages of a child’s developmental growth are emphasized including cognitive skills and socio-emotional development.

Graduates of our program find careers working in partnership with teachers in kindergarten classrooms across Ontario, as well as other early learning environments.

Your Future Career

  • Full-day kindergarten programs
  • Educational settings as educational assistants
  • Resource programs
  • Specialty and early learning schools
  • Childcare centres or home care

What You Learn

  • Child development
  • Infant, toddler, pre-school, kindergarten and school-aged curricula
  • Language and literacy development
  • Health, safety and nutrition
  • Special education
  • Outdoor/environmental learning course

Recognized by the College of Early Childhood Educators. Graduates may apply to become Registered Childhood Educators.


Additional Option: Early Childhood Education Intensive (accelerated):

Graduates of any Bachelor of Education or Bachelor of Arts program can complete this hands-on, intensive program in one year. Expand your knowledge and skill-set working in real-world settings. Learn more

OSSD or equivalent, ENG4C or ENG4U

If English is not your first language you must provide proof of English competency.

View current English Language Proficiency Requirements.


Semesters are consecutive with no break for January intake.

Semester 1

CMM125 College Communication
ECE111 Child Development
ECE112 Introduction to Practice
ECE113 Observation & Documentation
ECE118 Health, Safety & Well-Being
ECE145 Emotional Intelligence & Guidance

Semester 2

ECE114 Language & Literacy
ECE117 Preschool
ECE119 Creative Expression
ECE121 Infants & Toddlers
GENED General Education Elective
SOC100 Foundations of Sociology

Semester 3

ECE200 Children's Science and Math
ECE201 Outdoor Education
ECE202 Placement Preparation
ECE203 Special Education
ECE206 Kindergarten & School Age
GENED General Education Elective

Semester 4

ECE208 Field Placement Seminar
ECE207 Field Placement

2025-26 – 2 years – Ontario College Diploma

College Drive Campus – Domestic
Year Tuition Ancillary Fees Material Fee Trip Fee Total
1 $2720.24 $1587 - - $4307.24
2 $2720.24 $1423 - - $4143.24

2025-26 – 2 years – Ontario College Diploma

College Drive Campus – International
Year Tuition Ancillary Fees Material Fee Trip Fee Total
1 $15547.54 $1975.5 - - $17523.04
2 $15547.54 $1811.5 - - $17359.04

2024-25 – 2 years – Ontario College Diploma

Canadore @ Stanford – International
Year Tuition Ancillary Fees Material Fee Trip Fee Total
2 $15547.5 $1259 - - $16806.5

Mandatory Non-Academic Requirements for Placement:

Work-Integrated Learning (also called Placement, Field Placement, Practicum, Clinical Placement, etc.) provides students with rich and meaningful experiences wherein they have the opportunity to apply and extend the learning they gain from the classroom in real-word contexts. View placement requirements here.

Textbooks:

Check out the Campus Bookstore to not only purchase your textbooks but also view your book list before the semester starts. 

Technology/Devices:

Canadore College has implemented Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) to enhance your learning experience in and out of the classroom while ensuring flexibility in learning.

To learn more about BYOD and to find out what is required for your program, please visit https://www.canadorecollege.ca/BYOD

You will also need:

  • Name tag (from the Campus Shop) - apx. $10.00
  • Complete outdoor winter clothing and indoor running shoes (costs vary)

Ontario College Diploma

Learning outcomes represent culminating demonstrations of learning and achievement. In addition, learning outcomes are interrelated and cannot be viewed in isolation of one another. As such, they should be viewed as a comprehensive whole. They describe performances that demonstrate that significant integrated learning by graduates of the program has been achieved.

View Program Vocational Learning Outcomes

View course outlines

Find out more about General Education program requirements here.

Placement

Students will participate in mandatory placement where they will have the opportunity to integrate classroom, lab, and simulation learning into real world contexts. Students are responsible for costs associated with transportation to and from assigned placements, which may require travel to adjacent or nearby communities in the region.

There are many options available to students who already have some postsecondary education.

Whether you are looking to study at Canadore from another school,  continue your education at Canadore, or looking to pursue further education elsewhere, we can help find the right path for you!

Whether you want to Transfer TO Canadore, Transfer WITHIN Canadore, or prepare to Transfer FROM Canadore, we've got you covered!

Learn more about Credit Transfer and Pathway opportunities here.