Early Childhood Education Dartmouth Campus | Sydney Campus |

Start a career in Early Childhood Education in under a year!

This 48-week Early Childhood Education Level 2 program consists of both theory and practical training and is designed for you to become trained as an Early Childhood Educator. Our regulated and provincially approved Diploma program will have you be career-ready in under one year. Most Early Childhood Education programs across the province of Nova Scotia are delivered over two years. 

You will learn to use holistic, play-based learning to create stimulating environments through natural discovery and invention. Students will learn to value the social and cultural contexts of children, the continuity of learning experiences and authentic assessment. You will also have the opportunity to apply your newly learned skills throughout your practicums.

Early Childhood Educators (ECE) work with children who are six weeks to 12 years old. Whether you are working 1-on-1, or with a group of children, your primary role as an Early Childhood Educator is to fulfill your duty to help children with their emotional, cognitive, social, and physical needs. 

As an Early Childhood Educator, you might:

• Create lesson plans
• Lead daily activities
• Monitor children
• Encourage and engage children
• Interact with parents and other caregivers
• Keep the classroom or daycare environment clean and stimulating
• Assess in-class homework and assignments
• Attend staff meetings

The Early Childhood Education courses are taught by industry-leading professionals, and your practicums will be completed with our industry partners throughout the HRM and greater Sydney area, Nova Scotia. Upon graduation, students will qualify as Level 2 Early Childhood Educators. And, depending on prior qualifications, graduates may qualify as Level 3 Early Childhood Educators.

Total program length: 31 weeks theory, 17 weeks practicum

admission requirements

Post-secondary early childhood education training institutions are responsible for ensuring students admitted to an early childhood education diploma program are suited for the program, both academically and in disposition. Eligible students must have one of the following as defined in the Private Career Colleges Operational Regulations, subclauses 17(a)(i) to (iv):

(i) a Nova Scotia high school graduation diploma as described in the Public School Program published by the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development,

(ii) a Nova Scotia High School Diploma for Adults issued by the Department of Labour and Advanced Education,

(iii) a high school equivalency certificate obtained through a General Education Development (GED) testing service,

(iv) a qualification from another jurisdiction that is equivalent to any of those referred to in subclauses (i) to (iii)

And all of the following:

• pass both a Vulnerable Sector Check and a Child Abuse Registry Check
• demonstrate proficiency in the language of instruction (English or French) including the ability to speak, read, and write clearly and correctly
• provide two character references documenting 25 hours of experience working with children and detailing the student’s emotional maturity and suitability for this work
• have participated in a program information session offered by the training institution 

Program Outline

• Administration & Management
• Career Building/Employment Readiness
• Child Development
• Child Guidance 1
• Child Guidance 2
• Computer Skills & Communication
• Diversity & Inclusion 1: Cultural & Family Influences
• Diversity & Inclusion 2: The Environment
• Emergent Curriculum & Pedagogical Documentation
• First Aid & CPR
• Foundations of ECE Curriculum
• Learning Through Observation and Assessment
• Occupational Health & Safety
• Play-Based Learning 1
• Play-Based Learning 2
• Play-Based Learning 3
• Play-Based Learning 4
• Play-Based Learning 5
• Play-Based Learning 6
• Practicum 1
• Practicum 2
• Practicum 3
• Practicum 4
• Practicum Seminar
• Principles of Health, Safety, & Nutrition
• Professional Identity, Ethics, and Interpersonal Skills
• Responsive Relationships in Early Childhood Settings
• Strategies for Inclusion and Support