Registration for Fall 2026 programs and courses is now open. Learn more about the academic programs we are delivering in Fall 2026. If you have any questions about part-time studies, please contact us.
The part-time Early Childhood Education Diploma Program emphasizes a learning process which is aimed at developing competent professional Early Childhood Educators with effective verbal and written communication skills. The College continues to provide resources and support to students as they progress through the program and endeavours to ensure currency in the curriculum.
The early childhood education principle of supporting and enhancing the development of the whole child is the basis for this program. This includes the social, emotional, physical and cognitive developmental domains of children from infancy to adolescence. Specific teaching skills and strategies are explored, demonstrated, and practiced in the Seneca classroom as well as in a variety of field placement opportunities.
Research methods and child study techniques are emphasized and integrated into all Early Childhood Education courses. These include observational techniques, assessment, and individual and group planning, curriculum development and self-reflection.
Field placement experiences are provided in a variety of Early Childhood Education environments including nursery schools, day-care centres and various community agencies during day time hours and are a required component of this diploma program. All field placement students must be supervised by a registered Early Childhood Educator.
If you've completed an undergraduate degree or three-year diploma from a recognized postsecondary institution in Ontario or have a degree evaluated for Canadian equivalency, you may be eligible to earn your accelerated Early Childhood Education diploma in three terms.
Please note the Early Childhood Education program curriculum has changed for Winter 2024. For students who started the program prior to Winter 2024, please contact Academic Program Manager for more information.
You can enrol in courses that are part of this program as a declared or undeclared student. Program declaration is the process of identifying the program you plan to complete and graduate with.
Declared Students
Declaring your program helps ensure your academic record accurately reflects your educational goals and supports your academic progression toward a credential.
By declaring your program, you'll be able to:
Undeclared Students
If you have not declared a program, Seneca may not know which credential you are working toward. As a result, you may miss out on the important benefits that declared students receive. You can remain undeclared and continue registering for courses if you do not intend to complete a credential and do not require progress tracking, enhanced advising support or Convocation eligibility.
Declared Students: For details about the program and how to apply as a declared student, please visit Seneca's updated Early Childhood Education page.
Undeclared Students: Register for courses by visiting the Curriculum tab to select your course(s), check out and pay using this website.
Declared Students: Course registration for the Winter 2027 term for the part-time Early Childhood Education program will move from this website to Seneca's Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) platform. You will be able to build your class schedule when open enrolment begins on Dec. 10, 2026. Watch your email for instructions.
Undeclared Students: Register for courses by visiting the Curriculum tab to select your course of interest, check out and pay using this website.
If you haven't yet declared your program but wish to do so, more information will be available soon.
Please review "Important Information for New and Returning Students" on the overview tab before registering for courses.
In this course students will learn about visual arts. The practice of visual arts provides a space to encounter materials, create narratives with poetic languages, to ask questions and to provoke inquiry in relationship with others. Visual arts give voice to imagination, ideas, theories, experiences, and emotions, made visible through the act of pedagogical documentation. Time spent looking closely at artful expressions and viewing children's material explorations offers many invitations for pedagogical growth, insights, and reflection on artistic inquiry and material encounters.
Ancillary fees will be added at checkout for program-based courses. Fees will vary based on the number of course registrations. Learn more about ancillary fees for part-time studies.
Through the ethics of care lens, students will examine health, safety, and nutrition regulations, policies, procedures, and evidenced-informed practices in Early Childhood programs. Students will evaluate multiple dimensions of health, wellbeing, and vulnerability examining the socio-cultural contexts of lives of families, communities, and educators. The process of child abuse reporting will be examined at an introductory level. Students will learn about health, safety and nutrition practices in Early Childhood programs. The process of child abuse reporting will be examined at an introductory level.
Ancillary fees will be added at checkout for program-based courses. Fees will vary based on the number of course registrations. Learn more about ancillary fees for part-time studies.
Students will be immersed in, and critically reflect on foundational theories and discourses related to the pedagogy of care. Course experiences are grounded in curriculum studies, play theory, children's rights, relationality, anti-racism, culturally responsive pedagogy, social-emotional learning, land-based pedagogies, and environmental conditions of learning. Students will co-create curriculum and pedagogical documentation with a preschool focus as they engage in the complex work of early childhood educators.
Ancillary fees will be added at checkout for program-based courses. Fees will vary based on the number of course registrations. Learn more about ancillary fees for part-time studies.
In this course students will focus on the progress of growth and development in children from 2 to 6 years of age. Students will examine current research and theories that contribute to the image of the young child in the context of a holistic approach. The content of the course will motivate the students to reflect on their professional practice and its impact on children's development while considering diverse worldviews. Students will be introduced to observation skills used to support children's growth and development.
Ancillary fees will be added at checkout for program-based courses. Fees will vary based on the number of course registrations. Learn more about ancillary fees for part-time studies.
Field placement gives students the opportunity to practice what they have learned in the ECE program. Students will plan, implement, and evaluate creative experiences for preschool children practicing the principles taught in the corequisite course. Students will ensure they respect the child's individual choices of creative expression. Based on observation of children, students will develop the ability to provide open-ended opportunities for children to freely express their creativity through a variety of methods. Students will use further observation of children during the creative process to assess development in all domains. Students will engage in a respectful and objective dialogue with the child regarding their creative expression. In addition, time is spent reflecting and examining issues related to the field placement experience.
Ancillary fees will be added at checkout for program-based courses. Fees will vary based on the number of course registrations. Learn more about ancillary fees for part-time studies.
Field placement gives students the opportunity to practice what they have learned in the ECE program. Students will plan, implement, and evaluate play-based, inclusive, emergent curriculum experiences for preschool children. The early childhood educator's role as facilitator will be studied and practiced. Inclusive child guidance techniques will be utilized that support, nurture, and respect children's individuality. Based on observation of children, students will develop skills in planning, implementing, and evaluating programming that meets the needs of individuals and small groups of children and which are safe, diverse, and developmentally appropriate. In addition, time is spent reflecting and examining issues related to the field placement experience.
Ancillary fees will be added at checkout for program-based courses. Fees will vary based on the number of course registrations. Learn more about ancillary fees for part-time studies.
Students with a completed high school diploma or prior English Proficiency scores can find more details on next steps here.
Students without any of the above can be placed via successful completion of ESL934, EAP230 or English Assessment.
COM101 replaces EAC 150. Students who have successfully completed EAC 150 are not required to complete COM101.
This course introduces students to the core concepts of communication. Students will cultivate an awareness of these concepts by analyzing how they are used in a variety of texts and contexts, and they will apply these concepts strategically in their own writing. Through a variety of writing tasks centered on these core concepts of communication, students will develop the transferable reading and writing skills essential for success in their post-secondary studies, workplaces, and communities.
Ancillary fees will be added at checkout for program-based courses. Fees will vary based on the number of course registrations. Learn more about ancillary fees for part-time studies.
Students with a completed high school diploma or prior English Proficiency scores can find more details on next steps here.
Students without any of the above can be placed via English Assessment.
This course introduces students to the core concepts of communication. Students will cultivate an awareness of these concepts by analyzing how they are used in a variety of texts and contexts, and they will apply these concepts strategically in their own writing. Through a variety of writing tasks centered on these core concepts of communication, students will develop the transferable reading and writing skills essential for success in their post-secondary studies, workplaces, and communities.
This course invites students on a journey in human rights, social issues, equity, and social justice. Students will engage in critical and reflective thinking to notice and disrupt inequities to learn about human rights, including children's rights. The roles of educators in an ecosystem of relations, for the wellbeing of children living in a complex and pluralistic society, honoring diversity in all its forms will be examined.
Ancillary fees will be added at checkout for program-based courses. Fees will vary based on the number of course registrations. Learn more about ancillary fees for part-time studies.
In this course students will focus on principles, worldviews, theories, and sequences of child development pertaining to middle childhood. Students examine the way development from 6 to 12 years of age can be influenced by different contexts. Students reflect upon their own professional practice and its impact on children's development while considering diverse world views. Students will expand their observation skills using a variety of observation tools to build portfolios and support children's growth and development.
Ancillary fees will be added at checkout for program-based courses. Fees will vary based on the number of course registrations. Learn more about ancillary fees for part-time studies.
In this course, students will explore how interpersonal communication relates to the care and maintenance of relationships. Educators play a pivotal role facilitating and mediating interpersonal relationships with adults and children in early learning settings. Interpersonal interactions and perceptions are profoundly affected by personal history, culture, and environmental contexts. As early childhood educators it is essential to be aware of communication patterns within professional interactions with young children, their families, and colleagues. This course explores special consideration related to co- and self-regulation, self-reflection, mental health, and the culturally responsive relational principles guiding one's interactions.
Ancillary fees will be added at checkout for program-based courses. Fees will vary based on the number of course registrations. Learn more about ancillary fees for part-time studies.
All Module 1 courses and ECE214
In this course students will focus on their role supporting school-aged children's interactions with peers, educators, and the environment. Through observation and pedagogical documentation students will enhance skills in co-creating, implementing, and evaluating curriculum with a focus on materials and the environments. This course explores special considerations related to physical literacy, bullying, ecology of food, science, games, and establishing spaces that help children become socially just.
Ancillary fees will be added at checkout for program-based courses. Fees will vary based on the number of course registrations. Learn more about ancillary fees for part-time studies.
All Module 1 courses, ECE214, and all required documentation.
During the semester, students will take part in a school-age field placement. The students will focus on planning and programming. If at any time a student jeopardizes the emotional well-being, health, or safety of a child through actions or behaviors and the supervising professor determines that the student is not capable of the required level of independent functioning, the student may be withdrawn from placement and may fail the course. The student may also be asked to leave the program.
Ancillary fees will be added at checkout for program-based courses. Fees will vary based on the number of course registrations. Learn more about ancillary fees for part-time studies.
This course explores the principles, methods, and materials for working with children from birth to 12 using music and movement in an integrated and inclusive curriculum. Through process-oriented experiences, students will develop practical skills, knowledge, and confidence enabling them to support children's development of music and movement skills in various environments. The benefits of musical experiences throughout childhood will be investigated.
Ancillary fees will be added at checkout for program-based courses. Fees will vary based on the number of course registrations. Learn more about ancillary fees for part-time studies.
This course gives students the opportunity to implement the principles, methods, and materials for working with children using music and movement in an integrated and inclusive curriculum. Through process-oriented experiences, students will develop practical skills, knowledge, and confidence enabling them to support children's development of music and movement skills in various environments. Students will employ music from a variety of cultural backgrounds to inspire children to express themselves through movement. Students will use observation to assess the children's developmental abilities in all domains.
Ancillary fees will be added at checkout for program-based courses. Fees will vary based on the number of course registrations. Learn more about ancillary fees for part-time studies.
Child abuse, neglect, and exposure to family violence are examined in this course. Students will learn about prevention strategies and indicators of child maltreatment and exposure to family violence. Through this course students will identify circumstances that require an immediate professional response. Current Canadian and Ontario child protection laws and legislation will be reviewed in-depth. Students will have an opportunity to learn more about the child welfare system in Ontario. This includes a critical look at historical contexts and diverse experiences that families may have with the system, including the overrepresentation of Indigenous and Black children and families. The course will provide students with an opportunity to learn about the ways that trauma-informed collaborative care and related principles can be applied to early learning and care environments.
Ancillary fees will be added at checkout for program-based courses. Fees will vary based on the number of course registrations. Learn more about ancillary fees for part-time studies.
In this course students will focus on infants and toddlers, their environment, and curriculum. Students will learn that infants and toddlers are curious and capable of complex thinking. Using current research and practices, students learn about their role in supporting communication, language, and literacy across ages. Discussions on the reasons that responsive relationships are foundational to early childhood education will occur throughout the course.
Ancillary fees will be added at checkout for program-based courses. Fees will vary based on the number of course registrations. Learn more about ancillary fees for part-time studies.
Students will be placed in sites where they will be able to integrate learning from all their classes. They will have the opportunity to practice skills required for the care and teaching of children birth to 2 years. On placement they will be mentored and receive feedback, see professionals on the job, and experience the multifaceted work involved in facilitating the optimal growth and development of young children.
Ancillary fees will be added at checkout for program-based courses. Fees will vary based on the number of course registrations. Learn more about ancillary fees for part-time studies.
In this course students will focus on principles, theories, and sequences of child development from conception to thirty-six months. Current issues that influence growth will be discussed. Students will gain exposure to a variety of observational techniques and screening/assessment measures which will enable them to apply evidence informed, developmentally responsive practices while engaging with infants and toddlers. Students will create goals and strategies to support children's holistic growth and well-being.
Ancillary fees will be added at checkout for program-based courses. Fees will vary based on the number of course registrations. Learn more about ancillary fees for part-time studies.
In this course students will discuss the way strong, reciprocal, and respectful relationships between families, educators, and community partners build a foundation for optimal child development. When early childhood education curriculum and pedagogical practices respect a child's home culture and are co-created with families through an authentic relationship, children gain a positive self-image and sense of belonging in their communities. Additionally, when educators have knowledge of diverse community supports, care collaboration and partnerships are strengthened.
Ancillary fees will be added at checkout for program-based courses. Fees will vary based on the number of course registrations. Learn more about ancillary fees for part-time studies.
In this course, students will study how historical and contemporary educational theories and philosophies influence pedagogical ideas in early childhood education. The interconnection between theory and practice will be studied while providing opportunity for critical reflection. Students will examine provincial, national, and global curricular models of early childhood education to form a personal philosophy.
Ancillary fees will be added at checkout for program-based courses. Fees will vary based on the number of course registrations. Learn more about ancillary fees for part-time studies.
Students will study the interconnection of relevant legislation, quality indicators, funding mechanisms, and administrative practices to provide educated support and guidance to families in early childhood programs. Students will gain insight into the administrators' role and the educators' role as it applies to administrative practices. Students will expand their advocacy role and leadership role on behalf of children and families in Ontario and the early childhood education profession.
Ancillary fees will be added at checkout for program-based courses. Fees will vary based on the number of course registrations. Learn more about ancillary fees for part-time studies.
All Module 3 courses and ECE414
Students will examine what it means to be a professional early childhood educator. Being a Registered Early Childhood Educator has implications that include public and professional expectations and accountability. Students will become knowledgeable in professional ethics, standards of practice, and their role within the spectrum of services for children, families, and communities. Students will further their knowledge and skills in communication, mentorship, and reflective practice in a professional context.
Specifically, students will engage in processes that invite them to amalgamate their philosophical ideals and the realities of ethical obligations and policies through collaboration with colleagues. Students will recognize that all early childhood educators are leaders regardless of their role or position in early years and childcare settings.
Ancillary fees will be added at checkout for program-based courses. Fees will vary based on the number of course registrations. Learn more about ancillary fees for part-time studies.
All Module 3 courses
This course provides an in-depth perspective on theories and narratives describing forms of disablement from the perspective of disability as an identity. Students will examine their preconceived notions of disability and gain a depth of understanding of impairments. Students will learn about adaptations that empower child self-advocacy across settings and apply inclusive praxis while working with disabled children.
Ancillary fees will be added at checkout for program-based courses. Fees will vary based on the number of course registrations. Learn more about ancillary fees for part-time studies.
All Module 3 courses
Being a Registered Early Childhood Educator has implications that include public and professional expectations and accountability. Students will practice the standards of practice and code of ethics of a professional early childhood educator. They will interact with children, families, and staff using the skills in communication, mentorship, and reflective practice in a professional context. Students will conduct themselves in a professional manner that reflects the quality role of an early childhood educator.
Ancillary fees will be added at checkout for program-based courses. Fees will vary based on the number of course registrations. Learn more about ancillary fees for part-time studies.
All Module 1, 2 and 3 courses, including ECE414.
In this course students will focus on a variety of theories and pedagogical approaches to co-design inclusive environments that support equity and diversity. The role of the reflective educator as researcher, collaborator, documenter, and supporter of learning will be examined. Students will examine the implications of applying a variety of cultural and philosophical values in pedagogical practices in various contexts. This course explores special considerations related to mathematics, construction play, digital and written literacies, and inquiry-based learning. By the end of this course students should have the competencies to practice as a Registered Early Childhood Educator in a variety of settings, including Full Day Kindergarten.
Ancillary fees will be added at checkout for program-based courses. Fees will vary based on the number of course registrations. Learn more about ancillary fees for part-time studies.
All Module 1, 2 and 3 courses, including ECE414.
Students will complete field practice throughout the semester, in an inclusive early childhood field placement. Students will draw from their knowledge of child development and their insights into individual children to plan, implement and reflect on developmentally appropriate investigations for individuals and the entire group. Students will design environments and emergent curriculum that is inclusive, play-based, meaningful, and responsive to children's interests and ideas. The role of the reflective practitioner as researcher, collaborator, documenter, and supporter of learning will be practiced. Learning experiences that connect children with nature will be planned, implemented, and evaluated. Students must consistently demonstrate skills in professionalism, keeping children safe and healthy, appropriate program planning, facilitation of learning, problem solving, positive behaviour guidance, and effective communication with children, teachers, parents, and other adults.
Ancillary fees will be added at checkout for program-based courses. Fees will vary based on the number of course registrations. Learn more about ancillary fees for part-time studies.
Please note the Early Childhood Education program curriculum has changed for Winter 2024. For students who started the program prior to Winter 2024, please contact Academic Program Manager for more information.
In order to meet Seneca's breadth requirements for diploma or advanced diploma programs, students must successfully complete at least 3 General Education courses toward their program, satisfying the following criteria:
Please note: