Early Childhood Education Diploma Program
Get up to $10,000 off tuition for a limited time only!
Get started on your ECE career path in Halifax
Early Childhood Education is a field where you work directly with young children and their families, building important relationships at a formative time in their lives. In this program, you will learn how to help children build resiliency, develop social-emotional learning, and have a direct impact on children's growth.
What is the Early Childhood Education Diploma Program?
The Early Childhood Education (ECE) program at Oxford International Career Colleges (OICC), Halifax campus is a 50-week, in-person program that prepares students to become qualified Level 2 ECEs in Nova Scotia. Through interactive academic training, provided by early childhood education experts in the field, and hands-on practice through various practicum placements, our graduates develop the knowledge, hands-on skills, and experience needed to succeed in this in-demand field.
Get up to $10,000 off your Tuition!
For the February 3rd, 2025 ECE program intake, we are offering enrolled students a $5,000 CAD scholarship* to be applied to tuition, in addition to the up to $5,000 bursary* students can apply for through the Government of Nova Scotia. This means for students beginning the program in February, they can get up to $10,000 off their total tuition fees! Starting your journey to becoming an Early Childhood Educator has never been this affordable.
See the frequently asked questions section below for scholarship and bursary terms and conditions, including eligibility requirements.
*Scholarship is applicable only for Canadian citizens and permanent residents that reside in Canada. *Bursary is applicable only for Nova Scotia residents.
Why Study With Us?
Achieve a recognized post-secondary diploma in only 50 weeks.
Work in an in-demand field in Nova Scotia.
Guaranteed hands-on placement experience to help you learn how to put academic theory into practice with experts in the field.
Preparation for jobs including Early Childhood Educator, Inclusion Coordinator, Day-Home Consultant, and more.
Receive access to high-quality education with state-of-the-art facilities that inspire engaged learning and collaboration.
Gain access to Career Academy Canada – a free program designed to build your career readiness skills for success in the workplace.
Study in Vancouver
Your Career Path Starts Here
Explore the vibrant streets of downtown Vancouver, enjoy breath-taking landscapes, and make memories that will last a lifetime – all while building your knowledge and career opportunities in the hospitality and business industries.
Key Program Facts
Duration
50 weeks
Location
Halifax
Equivalency
Post-secondary diploma
Teaching Method
In-person
Program Courses
Our Early Childhood Education (ECE) Diploma program was specifically designed to meet industry demand and employer needs.
Child Development from Conception to Age 12
Respectful and Responsive Relationships
Diversity and Inclusion 1: Fundamentals of Early Childhood Education in NS
Observing, Assessing and Documenting
Computer, Communication and Employability Skills
Understanding and Engaging Families
Learning Through Play 1: Intentional Planning in Play
Guiding Children's Behaviour
Diversity and Inclusion 2: Supporting Multiple Developmental Pathways
Community and Workplace Relationships
Supporting Children's Health, Safety and Well-Being
Learning Through Play 2: Outdoor and Indoor Learning Environments
Responsive Infant and Toddler Care and Development
Administration and Management of Early Learning Programs
Becoming a Professional Early Childhood Educator in Nova Scotia
Working With School Age Children
Pedagogical Documentation of Children's Learning
Program Details
During the Early Childhood Education (ECE) program, you get the unique opportunity to put academic theory into practice in real workplace settings through four different practicum placements in daycares and pre-primary program providers.
Practicum 1: Observation, interacting with children, getting comfortable.
Practicum 2: Observation, begin implementing activities, getting comfortable with play-based curriculum.
Practicum 3: Working directly with ECEs and children, doing all tasks of the classroom.
Practicum 4: Become a fully-integrated team member in the childcare classroom and demonstrate skills and abilities that align with the expectations of a qualified ECE.
Practicums are unpaid placements completed in a group licensed childcare facility under the supervision of a certified ECE. During the practicum placements, students will be mentored and supervised to get the most out of their hands-on skill development. Students may even be offered an ECE position before they complete the program!
Early Childhood Education (ECE) Career Opportunities
Whether you aim to work as an ECE in a licensed daycare facility, work with families in their homes, or even open your own licensed home daycare, our Early Childhood Education Diploma program will help get you started on your career path and one step closer to achieving your goals.
The Government of Canada Labour Market Information reports that the employment outlook will be very food for Early Childhood Educators and Assistants (NOC 42202) for the 2023-2025 period. Job opportunities and demand will continue to increase with 9,600 new childcare spaces in development for Nova Scotia by 2026 as a result of the Nova Scotia Canada-Wide Early Learning Child Care Agreement. "Qualified jobseekers should have little difficulty finding employment through the province." - Government of Canada Labour Market Information.
Once you graduate from our Early Childhood Education Diploma program, you have a few different career path options, including:
Early Childhood Educator (ECE)
Inclusion Coordinator
Day-Home Consultant
Assistant Director
Director of ECE Programs
When you are enrolled in our Early Childhood Education Diploma program, you also join Career Academy Canada – a free career-readiness program that’s designed to help you identify and map out your career goals, as well as build the skills you need to not only succeed during interviews, but land your dream job. From resume and cover letter writing to networking and interview practice, you’ll get access to a variety of in-person and virtual workshops and tools that will help you build your career confidence and successfully enter into the childcare field.
Additional Certificates Earned During the Program
In addition to your Level 2 Early Childhood Education qualification, you will also earn 4 mandatory certifications that will help better prepare you to safely work with young children.
Standard First Aid (Level C CPR & AED)
Occupational Health and Safety (OHS)
Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS)
Food Safety
There are also two additional certifications that you will earn during the program, helping increase your employability outcomes and enhance your resume:
Circle of Security Parenting (COSP) to learn how to follow cues of children, helping build secure attachments and positive relationships.
The Pyramid Model Consortium - Trauma-Informed Care to learn how to understand a child's lived and family experienced in order to provide the most effective care.
BONUS Memberships
As a special bonus, you will receive a membership to the Association of Early Childhood Educators (AECENS), which is something only our Early Childhood Education Diploma program provides. The following are included in your membership:
Access to professional development and networking opportunities.
Attend key Early Childhood Education conferences at discounted rates.
Your tuition also includes a membership to a Lending Library that will give you access to a variety of resources you can leverage during your practicums, such as:
Materials
Toys
Books
What You Will Learn During the Program
The Early Childhood Education (ECE) Diploma program provides graduates with the necessary knowledge and skills required to succeed in the Canadian childcare field. In addition to academic theory taught in-class, students will also participate in four different practicum placements in a variety of settings, such as early childhood programs or play-based programs (hosted in Nova Scotia elementary schools).
What Our Students Say About Us
As a student at Oxford International, I have had the chance to meet amazing people from around the globe and have learned a lot from the excellent professors at Oxford International College.
Karen Desai
Student |
The best decision I have made in my entire life! Thank you Oxford international college. And special thanks to my instructors, Shannon Thixton, Avis Morehouse, the director-Sheila Nunn and the entire team. I love you all so dearly. Thank you 🙏
Richard Josephine Asoh
Student |
Isaiah Chinyere
Student |
Tuition and Payment Plans
We offer payment plan options to help make education affordable and accessible for all students. Our Admissions team will help walk you through the details and make sure you can make your educational and career goals a reality.
The Early Childhood Education Diploma program is pending final approval from the NS Department of Advanced Education but we are currently accepting applications now!
Frequently Asked Questions
The scholarship is applicable only for Canadian citizens and permanent residents that reside in Canada, on proof of Canadian citizenship/residency. Only applicable for the full-time Face-to-face Early Childhood Education Diploma program starting on February 3rd, 2025.
Scholarships will be automatically applied to the total program tuition amount once students pass the program refund date. The Oxford International scholarship is offered in addition to the possible bursary of up to $5,000 CAD through the Government of Nova Scotia for eligible students. Depending on the total amount secured through the Government bursary, students could receive up to $10,000 CAD off their total Early Childhood Education Diploma program tuition.
The Government of Nova Scotia is currently offering bursaries of up to $5,000 CAD for domestic students* that are enrolled in full-time studies at approved Nova Scotia post-secondary institutions in 2024-2025.
In order to apply for this bursary, students must be:
- Studying full-time and remain in good academic standing.
- A Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Nova Scotia* (temporary foreign workers, international students, or any other person in Canada on a temporary resident visa do not qualify).
In order to apply, please contact Oxford International Career College, Halifax campus to obtain the bursary terms and conditions and learn more. Once you are enrolled as a student in the Early Childhood Education Diploma program, you can apply directly through Oxford International Career College, Halifax campus.
Additional to note:
- Payments will be issued to the training institution (Oxford International Career College, Halifax campus) on behalf of successful applicants in the fall and winter semesters. Training institutions will apply the bursary to each successful student's account.
- Priority for funding will be given to students from equity-deserving groups.
- The following students are not eligible to apply:
- Students currently enrolled in an ECE Diploma already funded by EECD
- Students who are currently receiving EECD funding (e.g., staff receiving continuing education funding for part-time studies).
In 2021-2022 EECD offered one-time bursaries of up to 300 students studying full-time in an ECE diploma or degree program in Nova Scotia. To support Nova Scotia's focus on the development of a diverse and inclusive workforce, students belonging to an underrepresented group received additional funds. Visit the Nova Scotia Education and Early Childhood Development website for more details on the bursary.
In addition to the Early Childhood Education Diploma program, we also offer a 40-week, full-time Continuing Care Assistant (CCA) certificate program for students interested in entering into healthcare.
Please fill out the form at the top of the page and one of our Admissions Advisors will get in touch shortly to help you begin the process.
Oxford International Career Colleges (OICC) - Halifax Campus
Located in the heart of downtown Halifax, our campus is walking distance from the beautiful waterfront with easy access to a variety of famous historical sites, local shops, and great restaurants.
1256 Barrington St, Halifax, NS B3J 1Y6, Canada
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