Early Learning and Child Care Diploma
About the Early Learning and Child Care Diploma
As an early learning and child care professional, you play an important role in the care, learning and development of children. In the Early Learning and Child Care (ELCC) Diploma program, you will learn to work with newborns to twelve-year-old children in early learning environments and programs.
As a graduates of the ELCC diploma, you will transition from supporting children to also supporting their families in their communities. By nurturing each child’s agency and potential within their diverse lived experiences, you can make an impact outside the learning environment. You'll be challenged to recognize your own positionality and practice anti-bias, anti-oppressive approaches that intentionally honour and celebrate each child’s context, family, community, culture and society.
Delivery Options
The ELCC diploma program can be completed in several different ways. Attend full- or part-time on Red Deer Polytechnic's main campus or through alternate delivery using online courses. This multi-delivery approach is especially useful for working students who are balancing work and home commitments with their education goals.
On-Campus
Students in the on-campus delivery option benefit from being on the RDP campus and interacting with their peers. As an ELCC student, you will engage in a variety of learning activities such as cooperative learning, flipped classrooms, readings, assignments, discussions, and reflection exercises that provide opportunities to collaborate, and develop both curiosity and critical thinking skills. Practicum placements are in the Red Deer region.
Online
Students in the alternative delivery program benefit from the flexibility of completing coursework asynchronously, with scheduled evening synchronous online sessions with their instructor and peers. This delivery mode is intended for students who may be working and unable to attend courses on the RDP campus. International students are expected to enrol in the on-campus delivery to ensure they are following study permit requirements.
Work-integrated Learning
Experiential learning is important in this field as is connecting theory to practice. You will complete two practicums each program year in early learning and child care settings that will help you connect the program theory to real-world situations.
The ELCC program works closely with a variety of early learning and child care programs including daycares, family day homes, after school care, preschools, pre-kindergarten and other approved programs to provide students with work-integrated learning (practicum) experiences in these settings.
Delivery Option for Working Professionals
Note: This option is not available to International Students.
The ELCC Workplace Advancement Specialization is equivalent to the second year of the Early Learning and Child Care Diploma program. It’s designed for students who have already completed the ELCC Certificate or the first year of the Diploma and are working in the field.
Students applying to this program specialization must be employed within a licensed ELCC Facility or Home-Based Centre and must have previously completed a recognized Early Learning and Child Care Certificate program or the first year of a recognized ELCC Diploma program. A Letter of Verification of Employment will be required that shows a minimum of six months in your current workplace.
This immersive workplace learning model validates your knowledge and experience within your place of work in your established role as an ECE. In this model, your workplace learning is enhanced through online engagement with an instructor and a community of working professionals. You will continue to work in your early learning program and outcomes, skills and competencies will be assessed through your work. You will complete greater than 51% of your learning in the workplace and 49% in an online learning environment.
I have really enjoyed the workplace advancement model. I like how I was able to complete it in a year while working and supporting my family. I really enjoyed the support I got from my workplace mentor and my practicum PPA. I also love how the learning from the course is really brought to life in my classroom and isn’t just theory I will have to apply later, after I complete the program.
Related Careers
- Early Childhood Educator as mentioned in the RDP ELCC certificate program
- Licensing Officer
- Family Day Home Consultant
- Family Support Worker or Parent Educator
- Early Learning Program Director/Administrator/Coordinator
- Educational assistants for children with special needs in preschool or school programs
Meet the Faculty
At Red Deer Polytechnic we are proud of our faculty members and staff who are experts in their disciplines and subject areas.
Domestic Intakes
Fall 2025 (On-campus) - Waitlisted
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Fall 2025 (Online) - Open
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Winter 2026 (On-campus) - Open
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Winter 2026 (Online) - Open
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Spring 2026 (Online) - Upcoming
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International Intakes
Fall 2025 - Closed
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Winter 2026 - Open
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Note:
- International students must pay their tuition deposit to receive their letters of acceptance
- This program requires students to obtain a Co-op Work permit
- Important dates may change
Program CIP: 19.0709
Post-Graduation Work Permit Details
Admission Requirements
Admission requirements for specific programs will often refer to Alberta Grade 12 course groups. Visit the Admission Requirements page for detailed group descriptions.
International Students: If you are an international student or have completed your high school education outside of Alberta, please refer to our International Course Equivalencies page for information on how your coursework may align with our admission requirements.
Eligibility for admission to the Early Learning and Child Care Diploma program at Red Deer Polytechnic requires applicants to meet minimum academic requirements. Qualified applicants who meet all minimum requirements will be offered admission on a first-come, first-served basis.
Academic Requirements
Students applying to Early Learning and Child Care must have a minimum of 50% in:
ELA 30-1, or equivalent
OR
A minimum of 65% in:
ELA 30-2, or equivalent
OR
A minimum score of 250 on the Reading component, 250 on the Writing component and 5 on the WritePlacer Test.
OR
Previous completion of three College-level courses with a minimum GPA of 2.0.
OR
Early Learning and Child Care Certificate with a minimum GPA of 1.7, or consent of the Associate Dean.
OR
Transfer from another post-secondary institution. You will be required to present an equivalent academic program.
Additional Requirements
English Language Proficiency
Applicants whose first language is not English must demonstrate English Language Proficiency (ELP) for admission to credit programs by providing official documentation to the Office of the Registrar after an online application has been submitted.
All ELP tests must have been obtained within two years of the date their program starts. ELP requirements are in addition to the other admission requirements noted above.
Study Permits
Students with Study Permits that are admitted to a program that has a practicum or clinical placement in child care, primary/secondary school teaching or health service field occupations must complete their Medical Authorization as required by Citizenship and Immigration Canada one month prior to the start of classes.
Practicum Requirements
Please be advised that you will be required to provide a Police Information Check which includes the Vulnerable Sector Check prior to being placed for practicum experiences. If obtaining these documents in Alberta, be prepared for a minimum cost of $50 in extra expense to acquire these documents annually.
Failure to present this document may prevent practicum placement. Having a criminal record may impede practicum placement, program completion and certification and therefore would affect future employment prospects. It is the decision of each practicum placement to accept or reject a student for placement based on the results of the criminal record check.
Practicum courses are usually in the Red Deer area but you should plan for some extra costs associated with completing your practicum, including travel, clothing and other expenses.
Prior Learning and Transfer
Students presenting courses from other recognized post-secondary institutions may be granted transfer credit towards the Early Learning and Child Care Diploma, visit our Recognition of Prior Learning and Transfer Credit page to learn more.
Technology Requirements
Courses may have specific requirements for participation that require the use of a laptop, PC/MAC, iPad or tablet with peripherals that include a webcam, microphone and speakers/headphones. Assignments and submissions may require .docx or .pdf formatting. Applicants are required to have access to technology that will support participation online, assignment submission and assessment completion. Red Deer Polytechnic uses the Microsoft Office Suite of applications.
Eligibility for Certifications
Alberta Child Care Staff Certification office requires Early Childhood Educators who are requesting certification to complete a Self-Disclosure for Early Childhood Educators form when applying for government certification to meet the conduct requirements. Failure to complete this form or failure to disclose information on this form may affect certification and future employment prospects. To find out more about this process, information can be obtained from https://www.alberta.ca/early-childhood-educator-certification
Indigenous Learners
Information for Indigenous Learners
The Early Learning and Child Care Diploma program recognizes the need to facilitate access to post-secondary education for both Indigenous and non-Indigenous learners. To increase participation of Indigenous Peoples the program has designated four (4) seats for qualified applicants who are First Nations, Metis, or Inuit. After June 1 for the Fall term and October 1 for the Winter term unallocated seats will be released to qualified applicants on the waitlist if one exists for the program.
Indigenous applicants must meet the admission requirements for the program as outlined in the Academic Calendar and qualify for a designated seat by:
- Self-identifying as an Indigenous applicant on the Application for Admission.
- Providing proof of Indigenous ancestry
Proof of Indigenous ancestry (one of the following):
- Certified copy of a Status or Treaty card, Metis membership card, Nunavut Trust Certificate card, roll number or any other proof accepted by Inuit communities.
- Proof that an ancestor’s name has been entered in the Indian Register according to the Indian Act, band list of an individual band, or the Inuit roll.
- Written confirmation of Indigenous ancestry from Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada.
- Statutory Declaration by an applicant attesting to Aboriginal ancestry with supporting documentation.
Other forms of proof may also be considered at the discretion of the Registrar.
If you have questions or want help with the process, please connect with Indigenous Student Services.
Program Cost
These costs are an estimate of tuition based on the recommended course load per year, additional fees apply.
These costs are an estimate of tuition based on the recommended course load per year, additional fees apply.
Financial Aid Options
Student life can be very expensive, and few individuals have enough money to pay up-front for their post-secondary education.
Program Content
The first year of the program is equivalent to the Early Learning and Child Care Certificate, and you’ll complete the same set of courses as students in that program. In the second year, you’ll complete two additional practicums and eight courses that deepen your knowledge and provide you with the opportunity to demonstrate developing capacity in collaboration, leadership and mentorship.
The dynamics of play, playfulness, innovation, creativity and critical thinking will continue to develop as students demonstrate understanding of the child within their family unit, wellbeing, the influence of policy standards, regulations and current research in the field as they consider how to encourage partnerships and advocate for quality practice and systems within the field of early learning.
Graduation Requirements
You must receive a passing grade and achieve an overall GPA of 2.00 to receive a diploma.
Continuing and Professional Education
Further your career by advancing your existing skills through flexible courses, micro-credentials and programs.