In this four-semester diploma program, you will learn about the physical, cognitive, social and emotional needs of children. You will understand how to develop and implement inclusive programming in order to support the healthy development of children ranging in age from infancy to school-age.
Your studies will include courses in child development, curriculum, philosophy of education, communication, working with families and administration.
If you choose to study in the summer, you will have the option to earn your Early Childhood Education (ECE) diploma in 16 months.
As a graduate of this program who meets GPA requirements, you are eligible to pursue internal pathway opportunities at Seneca, including the Honours Bachelor of Child Development and Honours Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies.
To practice in Ontario as a Registered Early Childhood Educator (RECE) graduates must apply for registration with the College of Early Childhood Educators (CECE). Graduates of this program will meet the educational requirement for membership.
Note: If you are currently working in child care and would like to work towards your Certificate of Apprenticeship and ECE diploma at Seneca, please contact your local Ministry of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security Apprenticeship Office:
Throughout this program you will develop the following skills:
Field placement is central to the learning experience. You will obtain over 500 field placement hours in a variety of Childcare and Early Years professional settings. These experiences will provide you with the opportunity to integrate classroom learning into practice with groups of children within the community.
| The field placement must be completed in person. |
| Start in | Location | Availability |
|---|---|---|
| Sept. 2026 | King | Open |
| Sept. 2026 | Newnham | Open |
| Sept. 2026 | Online | Waitlist |
| Jan. 2027 | King | Open |
| Jan. 2027 | Newnham | Open |
| Jan. 2027 | Online | Open |
| May 2027 | King | Open |
| May 2027 | Newnham | Open |
| May 2027 | Online | Open |
Availability is subject to change and a seat is not guaranteed.
| Start in | Location | Availability |
|---|---|---|
| Sept. 2026 | King | Open |
| Sept. 2026 | Newnham | Limited |
| Jan. 2027 | King | Open |
| Jan. 2027 | Newnham | Open |
| May 2027 | King | Open |
| May 2027 | Newnham | Open |
Availability is subject to change and a seat is not guaranteed.
This program meets Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) eligibility requirements for students who apply for a study permit or PGWP before Nov 1, 2024 or on or after Dec 17, 2024. View Seneca’s current PGWP-eligible programs. (CIP code: 19.0709)
This program is offered online and is also available in person for students at Newnham Campus or King Campus. Students choosing in-person delivery at Newnham Campus or King Campus are required to come on campus. Please note that you must attend field placement in person and reside in Ontario for its duration to complete the ECE program.
Learn more: Seneca’s program delivery options and how courses in this program will be delivered each term.
International students applying for a PGWP: If you are in a flexible delivery course, you must attend in person as the option to attend online does not apply to you based on IRCC policy. Studying online will impact your PGWP eligibility. Please review the in-person requirements related to PGWP eligibility before choosing your program and course delivery.
When you graduate from this program, these are the types of career options you can explore:
Child care centres
Family resource programs
Settlement centres
EarlyON centres
After-school programs
Nursery schools
Parent co-operative centres
Private home child care
Centres for children with special needs
Kindergarten in the elementary school system
Upon graduation you will qualify to join the following affiliations and associations:
Full-time and part-time program
In both the part-time and full-time ECE programs, successful completion leads to an Ontario College Diploma and fulfillment of the educational requirements to become a Registered Early Childhood Educator (RECE). The key differences lie in course selection, delivery and pace. The full-time program follows a structured, cohort-based format, while the part-time program offers flexibility in course load, includes some variation in course content and is completed at your own pace.
Part-time ECE courses are offered through a mix of online and flexible delivery options, depending on the course and term.
You may request to switch between part-time and full-time study; however, approval is not guaranteed. Transitions depend on course availability, program sequencing and admission requirements at the time of the request. Please note that field placement and co-requisite courses are key differences between the two formats. Transitioning between part-time and full-time requires careful planning with the ECE academic team.
You must complete all program requirements within 10 years. Any courses older than 10 years will need to be retaken, including field placement courses.
ECE Online Delivery (Full-time only)
The online program follows the same structure and curriculum as the in-person program, including a cohort model. The main difference is your learning style—online learning requires comfort with virtual engagement and independent study habits. Please note that your field placement must be completed in person within Ontario to be recognized by The College of Early Childhood Educators (CECE).
No. The online cohort is considered its own campus (ONL) and students are not advised to switch between delivery formats.
Courses may include a mix of synchronous (scheduled class time) and asynchronous (on your own time) learning, depending on the course and professor. However, the program is not fully asynchronous, so active participation is expected.
Classes for the full-time online program can be scheduled Monday to Friday between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m.
Some instructors may record or pre-record lectures, but this varies by course and professor.
Yes, exams are conducted online and follow strict protocols to maintain academic integrity.
You’re encouraged to complete the Online Learning Readiness Questionnaire to help determine if this format suits your learning style.
Field Placement
Yes, field placements are a mandatory part of the program and must be completed in person within Ontario.
Yes, you need to meet clearance requirements before beginning field placement.
No. Placement courses are co-requisites with specific academic courses and are also prerequisites for future semesters, so they must be completed in sequence.
You will be placed within reasonable distance of your home campus and/or your local home address. You must have your local mailing address (where you are living while in school) accurate and up-to-date on Student Home. This is the information that is used when assigning field placements. Please note that you are expected to commute to placement each semester.
In the part-time program, if you do not secure a field placement by the specified deadline, you must drop the field placement course for that semester. Please note that this may result in non-refundable fees.
Other FAQs
You may wish to explore the Child Development Practitioner program.
Yes — there is support to guide you through the registration process. After graduation, you will apply directly to the College of Early Childhood Educators (CECE). You can request to have your Seneca transcript sent electronically through Student Home. From there, share your digital transcript with the College of ECE by emailing applications@college-ece.ca. You can choose to apply after graduating or in your final semester.
This is where university meets college. Where theory meets practice. Where ambition meets flexibility.
You will gain hands-on, practical experience in our state-of-the-art ECE Labs, preparing you for your in-demand career.
Graduate career ready and world ready. This program has a field placement to help you hone essential skills for the workplace.
Every Seneca diploma has a degree pathway. You have the opportunity to continue your studies and complete a degree at Seneca or a partner institution.
Earn credit for previous studies, work experience or training through Prior Learning Assessment & Recognition and transfer credits.
Hear from Valedictorian, Arif Karedia, about his experience as a Seneca student and preparing for a career in early childhood learning and care.
ECE valedictorian Shakira Sinclair turned her vision into impact. As the founder of Reading for Kids, she’s championing literacy and empowerment for young learners.
Graduate and 2022 Valedictorian, Early Childhood Education
"One of the most memorable experiences I had at Seneca was exploring the innovative environment in ECE labs. It was there that I discovered the power of play being driven by curiosity. This experience truly solidified my belief that our role as educators is truly to engage with children as co-learners. I currently work as Assistant Supervisor for an early learning centre which specializes in Infant and Early Mental Health. I plan to pursue becoming a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) specializing in disability studies."
Graduate, Early Childhood Education
After completing Seneca’s ECE diploma program, Fumiko Fujikawa returned to Japan in 2007 and began working for an international kindergarten. She then became an English teacher and implemented her newly found ECE techniques in her classes, which became a great success among students and their parents. By 2011, Fumiko opened her own school in Japan, FLAT English School, which teaches the English language to children and adults. The school has also created space for Seneca ECE and Bachelor of Child Development (BCD) students to work there virtually in field placements.
“I'm extremely proud of what I’ve learned through Seneca and am trying to prove that the philosophy and theory of ECE, ‘Learning Through Play’ is the best way for children to learn English,” says Fumiko, who also conducts workshops for educators and parents, promoting ECE and play-based learning. She inspires and influences others with her methods and is the organizer, translator and driver of these workshops and lectures.
Fumiko’s goal is to change English education in Japan.
“I love Seneca and that’s why I keep going back every year,” says Fumiko. “My whole ECE experience made me realize that I was born to be a teacher.”
Graduate, Early Childhood Education
“If it weren't for the ECE program at Seneca and the incredibly passionate professors, I would not understand how crucial the early years in a child’s life are. ECE helped set a solid foundation for always making sure I create a positive, motivating, safe and stimulating environment for every child I work with. So much so, that it drove me to want to work one-on-one with children with special needs - helping them improve their learning, communication and social skills. I can confidently say that I cannot picture myself doing anything other than working with young children and helping them flourish in their early years.”
Penny currently works at the Geneva Centre for Autism as an Instructor Therapist. As an Instructor therapist, she observes behaviour and provides intensive behavioural intervention in a one-on-one setting. She is responsible for preparing, delivering and presenting teaching materials for individualized programs for children with Autism; as well as monitoring the progress and effectiveness of the individual programs.
Graduate, Early Childhood Education and Honours Bachelor of Child Development
"My program included a co-op term which was foundational to developing the skills and research interests I currently am pursuing in my PhD research project. In my co-op term I was able to be a research assistant on a project regarding the impact of therapy dogs on children's literacy development. This interest in the human-animal bond has continued through my research."
Graduate, Early Childhood Education and Honours Bachelor of Child Development, 2025 Valedictorian
"The combination of core courses and electives, especially those focused on child development and human behaviour, directly prepared me for my master's program in counselling psychology. This preparation has allowed me to enter my advanced studies with confidence, clarity, and a solid understanding of the field."
