Diploma in Early Learning and Care at Camosun College

Make a difference in the life of each child

In the Early Learning and Care (ELC) program, you'll be provided with cutting edge knowledge and skills to work collaboratively with children, families, professionals and communities. You'll learn to create responsive environments that support each child to reach their potential in every area.

We'll help you succeed

You will learn how to provide care and education that focuses on the needs of children and their families. You'll foster each child's optimal emotional, intellectual, linguistic, creative, physical, cultural and social development.

Hands-on learning

In the two years you'll spend in the ELC program, you'll participate in three practicum placements. Emphasis is placed on working collaboratively with families, within communities and with other professionals.

Graduates

Graduates are prepared with a strong foundation for many professional opportunities in the field of early learning and care. They have the specialized knowledge and skills necessary to create responsive, caring environments for all including infants, toddlers, pre-school age children and children with diverse abilities. Graduates are prepared to provide leadership and advocacy within the community of early learning and care.

Your ELC education will help prepare you to contribute excellence and professionalism to the field by building caring relationships with children, families and community. By instilling confidence in your strengths and skills, you will be supported and encouraged in the classroom and field.

What to expect

Located at our Interurban campus, the ELC program is two academic years long. If you’re enrolling as a full time student you’ll be taking the equivalent of 5 or 6 courses each term with a combination of 11-16 class hours and 6-18 practicum hours in local early learning and care programs each semester. It’s common for an additional 15-30 hours per week be spent on homework. Student assessment occurs in all courses, and may include research papers, reflective journals, projects, presentations, and exams. Some courses may be offered via distance delivery.

This is a rigorous program with a combination of academic and hands-on practical experiences.

Year 1

In your first year, you’ll receive the skills and knowledge to guide children’s behaviour and their environment, while supporting and developing good communication skills.

Year 2

In your second year, you’ll consolidate and integrate your foundational knowledge. Then you will go deeper into leadership, professional practice and specialty focus.