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Available Programs:
Start your journey towards a new career today by requesting program details.
Available Programs:
Available Programs:
Start your journey towards a new career today by requesting program details.
Get started on your early childhood education career path and learn how to make a positive, lasting impact on young children’s lives. If you’re passionate about working with young children and helping them grow, our Early Childhood Education programs are the right fit for you. Learn how to best support children during their most important early years by helping them build resiliency, develop social-emotional learning, and positively impact their overall growth. Our ECE programs 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 four guaranteed practicum placements. By the end of our programs, our graduates develop the knowledge, hands-on skills, and experience needed to succeed in this in-demand field.
Start your journey towards a new career today by requesting program details.
Get started on your early childhood education career path and learn how to make a positive, lasting
impact on young children’s lives. Whether you’re fresh out of high school or looking to make a career
move, our Hybrid Early Childhood Education (HECE) Diploma program with Online theory with in-person practical training and practicum placements.
gets you into the workforce quickly while providing you with the valuable knowledge, hands-on skills,
and experience employers are looking for.
Benefit from hands-on in-person classes or engaging online study, both available with guaranteed practicum placements, to support flexible learning with valuable real-world skills development and experience.
*This program is only available to domestic students who are residents of Nova Scotia.
Want the flexibility of online learning? Complete your ECE theory online from anywhere in Nova Scotia, with in-person practical training and practicum placements. Explore our ECE Online program.
Hybrid Early Childhood Education
Perfect for students who work during the day and want to train for their future career in the evening
Early Childhood Education
The right option for students who are eager to start their ECE career as fast as possible
Duration
50 weeks (in person)
or 55 weeks (online/hybrid)
Location
OICC Halifax campus
or online (Moodle)
Credential
Level 2 ECE Classification
Teaching Method
In person, online,
or hybrid
The Hybrid Early Childhood Education program (55 weeks) offers flexible learning for students, especially those with daytime jobs. Domestic students can choose to take the program online, with local practicum placements and certifications training in their communities. Domestic and international students can choose to study the Hybrid model, which offers a mix of online and in-person study.
Domestic students study schedule:
International students study schedule:
The Hybrid Early Childhood Education (HECE) Online Diploma program is designed for flexibility, allowing students to balance their studies with other commitments while progressing through structured online coursework.
Practicum 1 (60 hours):
Observation, interacting with children, and 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.
For the ECE in-person program (50 weeks), practicum placement 4 is eligible for paid workplace practicum. For the ECE Hybrid program (55 weeks), all practicum placements are eligible for paid workplace practicum!
Early Childhood Educators (ECEs) provide care for infants to school-aged children and lead children in activities that stimulate and develop their intellectual, physical, and emotional growth. ECEs work in childcare centres, daycare centres, pre-primary programs, kindergarten classrooms, and other settings.
The Government of Canada Labour Market Information reports that the employment outlook will be very good for Early Childhood Educators (NOV 42202) in Nova Scotia for the 2025 – 2027 period. Overall, ECEs are in high demand in Nova Scotia and across Canada, and job opportunities continue to remain strong for certified staff in licensed childcare, offering 30% wage increases under a new compensation framework.
Our Early Childhood Education Diploma programs are designed to meet the demand… Once you graduate from one of our Early Childhood Education programs, popular career options include:
Plus, if you’re a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, you’ll also have the option to open your own regulated home daycare!
When you are enrolled in one of our Early Childhood Education programs, you also Career Academy Canada… and successfully enter into the early childhood field.
During our ECE programs, you not only earn your mandatory certifications that are required for all Early Childhood Educators to work in childcare settings, but you also have the unique opportunity to earn additional certifications that are only available through OICC that help you be better prepared to work with young children. These additional certifications not only enhance your resume to help you stand out amongst other applicants, but they increase your employability opportunities.
Standard certifications
Bonus certifications
Get started on your Early Childhood Education Career path and learn how to make a positive, lasting impact on young children’s lives. Our one-year (50 weeks) Early Childhood Education Diploma program will equip you with the valuable knowledge, hands-on skills, and experience you need to succeed in this in-demand field. Once you graduate from our Early Childhood Education Diploma program, you will receive your Level 2 ECE classification.
Duration
50 weeks
Location
OICC Halifax campus
Equivalency
Level 2 ECE Classification
Teaching Method
In-person
Our Early Childhood Education (ECE) Diploma program was specially designed to meet industry demand and employer needs. Within the program, you will develop a thorough understanding of early childhood education theory, techniques, and practices to help you succeed in the field.
Practicum 1:
Observation, interacting with children, getting
comfortable.
Practicum 2:
Observation, start 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.
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:
In order to apply, please contact OICC 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 OICC Halifax campus.
Additional to note:
In 2021-2022 EECD offered one-time bursaries for 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.
*Domestic students = Canadian Citizens and permanent residents.
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 you get 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 good for Early Childhood Educators and Assistants (NOC 42202) for the 2023-2025 period. The very strong demand for ECEs in Nova Scotia is related to the ongoing implementation of the Nova Scotia Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care Agreement, and the number of open ECE positions is expected to grow through 2026 due to the planned creation of thousands of new child care spaces. “Qualified jobseekers should have little difficulty finding employment through the province.” – Government of Canada Labour Market Information.
Our program is designed to meet the demand for qualified Early Childhood Educators in Nova Scotia by equipping you with the academic knowledge and practical skills required to succeed in various rewarding career paths within the early childhood field. Once you graduate from our Early Childhood Education Diploma program, some popular career path options include:
When you are enrolled in our Early Childhood Education 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 healthcare field.
During the ECE Hybrid program, you not only earn your mandatory certifications that are required for all Early Childhood Educators to work in childcare settings, but you also have the unique opportunity to earn additional certifications that are only available through OICC that help you be better prepared to work with young children. These additional certifications not only enhance your resume to help you stand out amongst other applicants, but they increase your employability opportunities.
There are also two additional certifications that you will earn, helping increase your employability opportunities:
As a special bonus, you will receive a membership to the Association of Early Childhood Educators (AECENS), which is something only the OICC | Oxford International Career Colleges Early Childhood Education Diploma program provides. The following are included as part of your membership:
Your tuition also includes a membership to a Lending Library so you can access various resources for your practicums without spending your money, such as:
The Early Childhood Education (ECE) program is designed to provide graduates with the necessary knowledge and skills required to succeed in the Canadian childcare sector. In addition to academic theory taught in-class, students will also participate in four different placements in various settings, such as early childhood programs or play-based programs (hosted in Nova Scotia elementary schools).
Find out what your personality is like and discover your traits, worries & concerns about taking the next step to study at school towards a new and rewarding career. This quick and easy assessment will provide you with some insight into what to focus on and what you might need to watch out for to best prepare you for your new career and school goals!
At OICC | Oxford International Career Colleges, we care about our students’ success. Not just through the programs and career support we offer, but through how we teach out students and the experiences we deliver.
Simply fill out an enquiry form so our team can get in contact with you ASAP. We’ll answer any questions you have and guide you through the simple application process.
The first step in your journey is to fill out our online enquiry form. This is just like introducing yourself – telling us who you are and what you’re interested in studying. You’ll need to provide some basic information, like your name and contact details, and a member of our admissions team will get in contact ASAP to help answer your questions! Please follow this link to begin the process.
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 and local shops.
1801 Hollis St(4th floor), Halifax, NS B3J 3N4, Canada
Situated in the heart of Vancouver’s bustling downtown district, our campus is immersed in a thriving tech hub, home to global giants like Amazon and Apple. Amidst the urban synergy of creativity and innovation, our location affords exceptional networking opportunities.
250-815 W Hastings St, Vancouver, BC V6C 1B4, Canada
