Diploma in Early Childhood Education
Vermilion, Canada
Diploma
DURATION
2 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
Sep 2026
TUITION FEES
CAD 20,130 *
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* includes tuition, fees, books/supplies, and mandatory health insurance
Key Summary
About: Study a two-year diploma in Early Childhood Education to design play-based experiences for infants–school-age children. You’ll build observation skills, plan indoor and outdoor learning in a natural playscape, develop family partnerships, run early learning programmes and complete practicums. A unique third placement has you and classmates plan, promote and host a community play programme and reflect on practice. In Alberta the pathway maps to Level 1–3 Early Childhood Educator recognition depending on completed certificate or diploma.
Career Outcomes: Graduates take supervisory roles in preschool, daycare, early learning and community centres. Careers include child care centre directors and licensing officers.
Learn everything you need to know to create experiences and environments that enhance young children's development from infancy to school age in an early learning setting.
As you work towards your two-year diploma, you’ll learn how to:
- use observation skills to create experiences for young children based on their interests and needs.
- design learning environments that invite play and exploration, both indoors and outside, in our new natural playscape.
- develop relationships and support children and their families.
- run an early learning program.
Each semester has a field placement. Your third field placement is unique to Lakeland. You and your classmates will set up and host a play program for the community. Together, you’ll:
- plan and promote the play program.
- hold an open house for families.
- create experiences and environments for the children.
- guide children's learning and reflect on the experience.
In Alberta, to be recognized as a:
- Level 1 Early Childhood Educator, you must successfully complete 1 programming course in our certificate program.
- Level 2 Early Childhood Educator, you must graduate with your certificate in early childhood education.
- Level 3 Early Childhood Educator, you must graduate with your diploma in early childhood education.
Required Courses
- ECE Field Placement III
- ECE Field Placement IV
- Leadership & Management in ECE
- Outdoor & Nature Play
- Emergent Environments for Children
- Foundations of Inclusion
- Community Advocacy & Partnerships
- Supporting Diverse Needs
- Sensory Development
- Intercultural Competencies
- Infant/Toddler Mental Health
Electives (choose one)
- American Sign Language Level I Part A
- Personal Assistance Awareness
- Trauma-Informed Practices
- Animal Assisted Interventions
Earning a diploma also qualifies you for supervisory positions such as:
- child care centre directors
- licensing officers