App Store
Google Play
Quick links
Ontario College Diploma
Program Description
Quality early childhood education (ECE) is critical in preparing children for future learning. As an early childhood educator, you will have an integral role in promoting children's development from birth to age 12 within the following five domains: cognitive, social, emotional, language and physical. In the ECE program, you will engage in theoretical studies along with practical applications. Moreover, professional practice and ethics will guide you in working with families, understanding pedagogy and fostering belonging and well-being in children.
Admission Requirements
Program Admission
Please note: Due to the college closure, please do not send official transcripts by mail or fax. An electronic copy of your transcript can be emailed to us at ppl@durhamcollege.ca with your program admission form to get your application started until the college re-opens.
Students are required to complete and submit this form to indicate that the program's admission requirements have been met.
Click to access the Program Admission Form
This form must be submitted and an Admission Acceptance Letter received prior to registering for any courses.
Program Of Study
Students are required to print or save a copy of the Program of Study when beginning the program. This document contains critical details about program progression and graduation requirements specific to the academic year in which your program was started.
Click to access the Program of Study for the current academic year.
Students who began this program prior to the current academic year may contact the Centre for Professional and Part-Time Learning office at ppl@durhamcollege.ca or 905-721-3052 to obtain your Program of Study and graduation requirements.
General Education Electives: This program requires the completion of General Education Elective (GNED) courses in addition to core program courses.
Click to access General Education Elective Course Options
IMPORTANT NOTE: Some programs may have restrictions on the specific GNED courses that students are able to take to fulfill their program requirements. For Centre for Professional and Part-Time Learning students, these restrictions are identified on the link above. For those in full-time, day school programs, please consult your academic school for confirmation of any GNED restrictions for your program before registering.
Field Placements & Observing the Young Child Courses:
This program contains three field placement courses and one observation course.
Please visit the Field Placement Page for information, deadlines and instructions for applying for this program's field placement and Observing the Young Child courses.
For additional, program-specific field placement questions, please review the ECE Placements & Observing the Young Child FAQs.
Please also be advised of the following:
Program Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this program, students will be equipped to:
Career Options
Potential career and industry options may include:
The Ministry of Children and Youth is offering financial support in the form of Education Grants, Travel Grants and Training Allowances to individuals currently working in licensed childcare settings who want to upgrade their qualifications in order to obtain an Early Childhood Education diploma. For information and forms please visit www.ecegrants.on.ca.
Opportunities For Degree Completion Or Additional Credentials
Qualified graduates can apply to Durham College's:
Graduates may also be eligible to apply their academic credits toward further study through Durham College's partnerships with many Canadian and international colleges and universities.
Please visit the Transfer Guide for more information.
Program Related Questions? Call 905.721.3052
If you are interested in applying for financial aid, please visit the Centre for Professional and Part-Time Learning OSAP Eligibility webpage.
