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. Over the course of your program, you’ll complete four practicums in early learning and child care settings that will help you connect the program theory to real-world situations.
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.
Students will continue to work in an ELCC Centre and outcomes, skills, and competencies will be assessed through their work. They will complete greater than 51% of their certificate in the workplace and less than 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 Caregivers in child care programs
Instructional Assistants in kindergarten programs and primary grades
Teachers in a nursery school
Caregivers in school-age care programs
Family Day Home Providers
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
- Application window:
-
- Registration start date:
- Fee payment deadline:
- First day of classes:
Fall 2025 (Online) - Open
- Application window:
-
- Registration start date:
- Fee payment deadline:
- First day of classes:
Winter 2026 (On-campus)
- Application window:
-
- Registration start date:
- Fee payment deadline:
- First day of classes:
Winter 2026 (Online)
- Application window:
-
- Registration start date:
- Fee payment deadline:
- First day of classes:
International Intakes
Fall 2025 - Waitlisted
- Application window:
-
- Registration start date:
- Fee payment deadline:
- First day of classes:
Winter 2026
- Application window:
-
- Registration start date:
- Fee payment deadline:
- First day of classes:
Note:
- International students must pay their tuition deposit to receive their letters of acceptance
- 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
Government requires people who work directly with young children to have a current immunization record and a Police Information Check. While not an admission requirement for the program, some practicum agencies and field placements may require Police Information Checks of students working in their organizations. Information about obtaining Police Information Checks will be provided to students after they have been admitted to the program. Some programs may require medical examinations, as well. Students should be prepared for approximately $50 to $75 in extra expense to acquire these documents.
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.
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.
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. By the end of the Diploma program, you will be able to assume many of the responsibilities related to preschool care and education in your practicum.
Graduation Requirements
Students must pass all courses.
Continuing and Professional Education
Further your career by advancing your existing skills through flexible courses, micro-credentials and programs.