Offered by NorQuest College in Edmonton, Canada, Diploma in Early Learning and Child Care is a diploma in Early Childhood Education programme. The programme runs for 4 semesters, delivered on campus. Tuition for international students is CAD 37,267 per total (CAD 13,393 per total for local students).
At a glance
Degree:Diploma
Field:Early Childhood Education
Duration: 4 semesters
Delivery: On Campus
Local tuition: CAD 13,393 / total
International tuition: CAD 37,267 / total
Last reviewed September 2026 ·
Program details
Overview
This diploma program at NorQuest College prepares students to work in early learning and child care settings. Coursework covers child developmental stages, inclusive care practices, activity planning, program management, and the social contexts of early childhood, with the goal of supporting children's healthy development through child-centred learning experiences. The diploma runs over four terms, is delivered in person with regularly scheduled class meetings, and includes 800 hours of work experience gained through four practicum placements. The program is based at the Edmonton campus. Graduates become eligible for Early Childhood Educator III certification through the Government of Alberta. Students who already hold a related certificate can transfer directly into the second year of the diploma, and those currently working in the field may be able to access government funding to support their studies. The program suits students seeking roles supporting children's growth and learning, as well as those aiming for leadership positions in early learning programs that support families and communities.
Requirements
Admission Requirements: Direct entry requires English Language Arts 30-1 or 30-2 at 60% (or the equivalent ESLG 1860/1898 at 60%), with a free academic assessment available for a missing subject; graduates of NorQuest's Early Learning and Child Care certificate can enter directly into Year 2 of the diploma. Non-native English speakers must submit proof no more than two years old: IELTS Academic 6.5 with no band below 6, TOEFL iBT 84 with no section below 21, Cambridge English 180 with no section below 165, CAEL 70, PTE Academic 59 with no section below 56, Duolingo 115, or CLBA/CLBPA with no section below 8; specified NorQuest ESL courses at 50-80% are also accepted. Before practicum, applicants must be at least 18 years old and hold a clear Police Information Check with Vulnerable Sector Check plus an Intervention Record Check, submitted 45 days before the placement starts. A 2.00 term and cumulative GPA is required to progress and graduate. The programme is not currently open to international students.
Application Details
Start Date:January
Application Deadline:Domestic applicants (Canadian citizens, permanent residents, or refugees) apply to NorQuest College through ApplyAlberta: applications open October 1 of the prior year for the Fall intake, February 1 for Winter, and June 1 for Spring/Summer, with the domestic deadline set as the first Friday of the term itself and offers made on a first-qualified, first-admitted basis subject to seat availability. International applicants apply through NorQuest's own virtual admissions system and face earlier fixed deadlines: June 9 for Fall, October 15 for Winter, and February 9 for Spring/Summer entry. NorQuest publishes this schedule as a recurring policy rather than year-specific dates, and does not describe admission as fully rolling, since seats are limited by program. These are institution-wide dates; this programme publishes no deadline of its own.
