Early Childhood Education is an essential period in developing a child cognitively, socially, emotionally and physically. It is a learning period that takes place from birth to eight years old.
Early Childhood Education focuses on the overall development and preparation of children for success in future life challenges.
The Government of Canada Job Bank expects to have 81,700 new openings for Early Childhood Educators by 2028. This figure surely promises that there is a high demand for Early Childhood Educators.
To enable you to secure a job in this lucrative field, you will need to get a Post Graduate Diploma in Early Childhood Education from any University or College in Canada.
In this article, we would be considering different schools in Canada that offer Post Graduate Diploma in Early Childhood Education. Learn more about the admission requirements and provisions of each school that can enable you to become a professional in this field.
What is a Post Graduate Diploma in Early Childhood Education?
A postgraduate diploma program in early childhood education is strictly for holders of a bachelor’s degree or relevant first degree. Applicants who want to advance their career or get more in-depth knowledge and skills in the field of early childhood education will need a Post Graduate Diploma Program in Early Childhood Education.
Individuals who wish to work as specialists in setting focus on young children who are from birth to eight years old, educators and administrators who have the same aspirations are the ones who would need a special program like a post-graduate diploma in early childhood education.
Schools Offering Post Graduate Diploma in Early Childhood Education in Canada
1. University of Alberta
This school is located in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Their Faculty of Education offers a Graduate Certificate in Educational Studies – Early Childhood Education. Their program provides both foundational and practical knowledge in teaching and learning for young children in various contexts focusing on play-based pedagogy, creating inclusive and supportive environments for all learners, and developing early mathematics and literacy.
The program will emphasise generating new meanings by critically examining the content and engaging with theoretical approaches and practice-based perspectives. The courses for this program will focus on how pedagogical decisions and the creation of inclusive learning environments can contribute to improving the learning outcomes for young children.
The goal of this program in the University of Alberta for Early Childhood Education includes the following:
- Deepen and extend knowledge and skills of specialised and evolving areas within the field of early childhood education based on the ability to critically analyse current scholarly/practice issues in the field at local, provincial, national and international contexts
- Collaborate with other educational professionals to build sustainable learning communities that enhance personal and collective professional capacities and expertise in the area of early childhood education.
- Build capacity to support young learners from diverse backgrounds in formal and informal educational settings and foster effective relationships with their families and communities.
| Program Name | Graduate Certificate in Educational Studies – Early Childhood Education |
| Start Date | Summer 2024 |
| Duration | |
| Tuition | $1477.00 Canadian, $2015.52 International |
Admission Requirements:
- A four-year baccalaureate degree from a recognized university with a 3.0 GPA on the last 60 credits of coursework (6.5 on the 9 point scale).
- Two years of teaching experience
- English Language Proficiency
2. University of Calgary
This University is located at 2500 University Drive NW Calgary, Alberta, T2N 1N4, Canada. The Werklund School of Education at the University of Calgary offers a Graduate Diploma in Early Childhood Education.
Courses in this program are offered fully online. The courses are held in both an asynchronous environment (D2L) and a synchronous (real-time) environment (Zoom) which allows instructors to virtually meet and talk with students and experience a live exchange of ideas, hear class presentations and do group work with access to a whiteboard.
| Program Name | Graduate Diploma in Early Childhood Education |
| Duration | 4 Consecutive Terms |
| Start Date | Fall Term |
Admission Requirements:
- A University of Calgary four-year baccalaureate degree or an equivalent degree from a recognized institution. Degrees and grades from foreign institutions are evaluated for their equivalency to those of the University of Calgary.
- A minimum GPA of 3.00 (on the University of Calgary four-point system). This is based on the last two years of the undergraduate degree consisting of a minimum of 60 units (10 full courses).
- English language proficiency
3. Capilano University
This university is a teaching-focused school located in North Vancouver, Canada. They offer a Post-Baccalaureate diploma in Early Childhood Care and Education. The program will benefit elementary school teachers who already have a Bachelor’s Degree in Education, it will broaden applicant understanding of the pedagogical approaches that are shaping early childhood care and education.
Through the program applicants will:
- Gain new skills and broaden their knowledge of Early Childhood politics and pedagogy
- Learn about the changing global context of child care, education, families, and childhood
- Consider advanced perspectives on Early Childhood Care and Education practice and teaching.
After graduation applicants can apply for the Teacher Qualification Service for recognition of their new credential.
| Program Name | Post-Baccalaureate Diploma in Early Childhood Care and Education |
| Start Date | Fall 2024 (Applications open from Oct 3, 2024 – August 6,2024) |
| Duration | 1 Year |
| Tuition | $9,029 Domestic, $24,035 |
Admission Requirements:
- Completion of a recognized Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) with a minimum graduation grade point average of 2.0
- English Language Proficiency
4. University of Winnipeg
This school is located at 515 Portage Ave, Winnipeg, MB R3B 2E9, Canada. They offer an Advanced Diploma in Leadership in Early Childhood Care and Education. The program is designed for professionals working in the early childhood care and education sector.
Applicants of this program will have:
- Understanding of major Canadian and Manitoban social policies as they relate to children and families
- Ability to analyse trends in the childcare sector
- Familiarity with major principles of business management and their interrelationships
- Understanding of key concepts of organisational behaviour and the behaviour of individuals and groups in organisations
- Effective oral and written communication, both interpersonal and team related
- Effective problem-solving techniques
| Program Name | Advance Diploma in Leadership in Early Childhood Care and Education |
| Tution | $4900 Domestic |
Admission Requirements:
- High school graduate or hold a Mature Status Diploma
- 18 years of age or older and have completed 90 hours of coursework or more at a recognized post-secondary institution (including UWPACE) with minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher.
- Advanced Diploma in Leadership in Early Childhood Care & Education
- English Language Proficiency
Final Thoughts
Each school that has been listed above has clearly stated all the benefits and provisions they have when you apply for their program. It is expected of you to check all of their admission requirements, program goals and work experience requirements. Ensure you make provision for any of the requirements you don’t have currently.
Confirm each of the school’s provisions to know which of the schools will help you acquire the necessary skills and expertise to become a professional Early Childhood Educator. It is important to do this because you will be dealing with kids at their stage of life and that whatever you impact them at that early stage can make or mar their future.
Do not make a wrong choice of school that will not impact you effectively and prepare you for the task ahead. Do your vetting properly, compare provisions stated with your goals before you apply to become a student of any of the schools.