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Early Childhood Education Diploma (ECE)

Make a positive and lasting impact on young children’s lives. 

Get up to $8,000 off tuition with our scholarships and bursaries.

 

Why Choose One of our ECE Programs?

Tuition Fee Guarantee

Successfully become a licensed ECE, and if you are unable to secure a job offer within 6 months, your tuition fee will be refunded as long as all terms and conditions of the guarantee have been met.

Guaranteed Work Placement

Guaranteed 535 hours of hands-on placement experience that we coordinate for you, allowing you to learn how to put academic theory into practice. Placement 4 is eligible for paid workplace practicum.

Affordable Education

There are a variety of financial aid options, scholarships, and bursaries available to help you get started on your new career path as an Early Childhood Educator!

High-Quality Training

Learn from experienced instructors in state-of-the-art facilities designed to inspire collaboration and engaged learning. Gain access to Career Academy Canada – a free program designed to build your career readiness skills for success in the workplace.

Available Scholarships & Financial Aid

There are a variety of financial aid options and scholarships available to help you start your new career as an Early Childhood Educator.

Up to $8,000 Scholarship for Domestic Students

We are offering all domestic students a guaranteed $3,000 program scholarship, which can also be combined with the up to $5,000 bursary* students can apply for through the Government of Nova Scotia.

Up to $7,850 Scholarship for International Students

International students are eligible for scholarships of up to $7,850. Starting your journey to becoming an Early Childhood Educator has never been this affordable.

Nova Scotia Student Assistance Loans & Grants

OICC students can access various loans and grants through the Nova Scotia Student Assistance. These loans are available for residents of Nova Scotia to help fund their post-secondary education.

More Support Options

We offer installment payment plans and provide free laptops for enrolled students to support your learning experience.

*Domestic scholarship is applicable only for Canadian citizens and permanent residents that reside in Canada. *Government bursary is applicable only for  Canadian citizens and permanent residents that reside in Nova Scotia.

Additional Scholarships

We are here to help you succeed. Discover additional scholarships you may be eligible for!

English to Career Fast-Track Scholarship

8 weeks of Free English Classes and affordable pricing for any additional weeks required to improve your English language skills before enrolling in one of our ECE programs.(Available for domestic students)

Community Impact Scholarship 

$1,000 scholarship, 500-word essay on how you positively impact and give back to your local community. Submit your essay two weeks before your program start date.(Available for domestic students)

Newcomer to Canada Scholarship

All eligible newcomers will receive a $1,500 scholarship applied to their program tuition fee. (Available for protected persons or new permanent residents within the last two years)

There are a number of additional scholarships available as well! Chat with our team to explore the full list of scholarships you're eligible for.

OICC-Scholarships

Programs Overview

Early Childhood Education Diploma

Credential:  Diploma

Duration: 50 Weeks

Start Date: January, April, July and September 2026

Schedule: In-person daytime classes, from Monday to Friday

Early Childhood Education Diploma Hybrid

Credential:  Diploma

Duration: 55 Weeks

Start Date: March, May, July, October, November 2026

Schedule: Hybrid or Online (Domestic students can study the academic portion 100% online, with placements completed in-person.)

Program Details

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 our ECE programs, you will learn how to help children build resiliency, develop social-emotional learning, and have a direct impact on children's growth.

The Early Childhood Education (ECE) programs at Oxford International Career Colleges prepare students to become qualified Level 2 ECEs in Nova Scotia. Through interactive academic training led by early childhood education experts 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.

Program Courses

Child Development from Conception to Age 12

Respectful and Responsive Relationships

Diversity and Inclusion 1: Fundamentals of Early Childhood Education in Nova Scotia

Diversity and Inclusion 2: Supporting Multiple Developmental Pathways

Observing, Assessing, and Documenting

Computer, Communication, and Employability Skills

Understanding and Engaging Families

Community and Workplace Relationships

Supporting Children’s Health, Safety, and Well-Being

Learning Through Play 1: Intentional Planning in Play

Learning Through Play 2: Outdoor and Indoor Learning Environments

Responsive Infant and Toddler Care & Development

Administration and Management of Early Learning Programs

Becoming a Professional ECE in Nova Scotia

Working with School-Age Children

Pedagogical Documentation of Children’s Learning

 

Guaranteed Placements 

During the Early Childhood Education (ECE) programs, 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 (60 hours): Observation, interacting with children, getting comfortable.

Practicum 2 (135 hours): Observation, begin implementing activities and getting comfortable with play-based curriculum.

Practicum 3 (140 hours): Working directly with ECEs and children, doing all tasks of the classroom.

Practicum 4 (200 hours): 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 completed in a licensed early learning centre or pre-primary program 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. Placement 4 eligible for paid workplace practicums.

Career and pathway 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.

Once you graduate from our Early Childhood Education Diploma program, you have a few different career path options, including:

Early Childhood Educator

Inclusion Coordinator 

Day-Home Consultant

Assistant Director

Director of ECE Programs

Graduates can advance their careers by pursuing a Bachelor of Early Childhood Development, which can lead to a Level 3 Early Childhood Educator (ECE) classification. Upon completing a bachelor’s degree, even more opportunities open up, including pathways to careers in elementary education, child life specialization or childcare center director.

ECE

Certificates & Memberships

In addition to earning your Level 2 Early Childhood Education qualification, you’ll graduate with valuable certifications and memberships that prepare you to work safely and effectively with young children and stand out to employers.

Mandatory Certificates

  • Standard First Aid (Level C CPR & AED)
  • Occupational Health and Safety (OHS)
  • Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS)
  • Food Safety
  • Child Abuse Protocol Training

Additional Certificates

  • Circle of Security Parenting (COSP): to learn how to follow the 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 experiences in order to provide the most effective care.

Bonus Membership

  • Gain access to our Lending Library membership, which provides a wide range of resources to support your practicum - including materials, toys, and books.

 

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.

 

What Our Students Say About Us

The classroom experience has been enriching, offering a mix of theoretical knowledge and practical application.
The practicum experience has been transformative, allowing me to connect theory with real-life practice. I have observed and documented children’s developmental progress while creating activities tailored to their interests and needs.

Sawanpreet

| ECE Student Alumni

My classroom experience in the ECE program at OICC Halifax has been enriching and insightful. The coursework has deepened my understanding of child development, educational theories, and effective pedagogical practices.

My practicum experience has been both rewarding and eye-opening. Being able to apply what I've learned in real-life settings has given me invaluable insights into children's learning processes

Abayomi Amos

| ECE Student Alumni

My classroom and practicum experience in the ECE program at OICC Halifax has been really great. The classroom atmosphere is calm and soothing, which makes it a comfortable place to learn. The teachers are very nice and always ready to help. The materials in the class are really useful and well-organized, making it easier to understand the content.

Varneet

| ECE Student Alumni

OICC | Oxford International Career Colleges, Halifax Campus

Our brand-new campus is located in the heart of downtown Halifax. It's within walking distance of the beautiful waterfront with easy access to a variety of famous historical sites, local shops, and great restaurants. 

Visit us: 1801 Hollis Street (4th floor), Halifax, NS B3J 3N4

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ECE Classroom
ECE Classroom
OICC Halifax
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OICC Halifax
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Frequently Asked Questions

The scholarship is applicable only for Canadian citizens and permanent residents that reside in Canada, on proof of Canadian citizenship/residency. 

Scholarships will be automatically applied to the total program tuition amount once students pass the program refund date. The OICC 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 $8,000 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 26-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.

The Oxford International Career Colleges (OICC) Tuition Fee Guarantee for the Early Childhood Education (ECE) & Early Childhood Education Hybrid (ECE) Diploma programs is applicable to all students. Note that an offer of employment does not guarantee approval for the Nova Scotia Nominee program, Graduates in Demand program, or any other Nova Scotia Immigration stream – it’s just one of the conditions that must be met. Some of the other conditions include sufficient settlement funds and a salary that will support your family. You can review all conditions on the Graduates in Demand website. Acceptance to the Nova Scotia Nominee program does not guarantee that a work permit will be issued by IRCC or that you will be approved for Permanent Residency.   

To remain eligible for the Tuition Fee Guarantee, participants must meet the following conditions within six (6) months of graduating from the ECE program:  

  1. Attendance & Academic Performance [1]
  • Attendance: Maintain a minimum 90% attendance throughout the program, including all practicum placements. [2] 
  • Academic Performance: Achieve passing grades of 70% or higher in all written and practical components of the program.  
  1. Receive satisfactory evaluations from all practicum placement providers. 
  2. Demonstrate respectful and professional conduct with senior residents from diverse ethnic, gender, and sexual backgrounds. 
  3. Actively participate in Career Services throughout the 6-month post-graduation period, including at least one (1) workshop and at least three (3) one-on-one sessions, or until a job offer is received [3]. 
  4. Participate in all assigned check-ins initiated by the school’s Career Services team. 
  5. Attend a minimum of three (3) in-person job interviews [4], including at least: 
  • One with a rural employer, and  
  • Two others, with one being from a practicum placement provider [5]. 
  1. Understand that if you receive a job offer within the 6-month period, you are no longer eligible for the Tuition Fee Guarantee. 

Please see the Tuition Fee Guarantee policy for full details and a list of non-refundable fees. 

[1] If a student has at least 2 warnings (for example, either one from attendance and one (1) from academic performance; two (2) from attendance or two (2) from academic performance) they are not eligible for the tuition fee guarantee. The warnings are for both in-school or in placement components of the program.  

[2] Missed attendance due to medical reasons is excluded; however, participants must have provided proper documentation.  

[3] Oxford International Career Colleges – Career Services is not responsible to set up interviews on the student’s behalf. This includes sending resumes or directly contacting employers. All interviews must be secured by the student.  

[4] On-the-spot interview(s) at a Job Fair does not qualify as a job interview.

[5] Evidence of the interview taking place (i.e., confirmation email from the employer that the interview took place, email follow up email from the interviewee thanking them for the interview, etc.) must be submitted.

Domestic Students
Yes. Domestic students can complete the academic portion of the ECE program 100% online from anywhere in Nova Scotia. All workplace placements must still be completed in person.

International Students
International students follow a blended format. Students study 6 hours asynchronously (learn at your own pace online) every Monday. From Tuesday to Friday, students attend live online evening classes.

Why Choose Oxford International Career Colleges

At OICC | Oxford International Career Colleges, we train students to become the in-demand professionals of tomorrow. At OICC, we care.

OICC-ECE

High-Quality | Because we care

We deliver high-quality training, maintaining the highest of standards to ensure our students succeed during their academic studies and can successfully secure employment upon graduation

Affordable | Because we care

We believe in creating equal educational opportunities for all students. That’s why we ensure our programs are affordable and accessible to all through guaranteed program scholarships, government grants and bursaries, financial aid, and payment plans.

In-Demand | Because we care

Our programs are aligned with industry demands, meaning we not only offer programs for in-demand professions, but we also ensure our curriculum meets industry and employer needs.

Accreditations

Kickstart Your Career as an ECE!

Applying to our program is simple. Please submit the form and our advisor will guide you through our application process and answer any questions you have.

or call +1 (902)-491-1526 |  Ext. 6020 / 6002