Early Learning and Childcare Diploma is a diploma in Early Childhood Education programme offered by Selkirk College in Castlegar, Canada. The programme runs for 2 years, delivered on campus. Teaching is in English. Tuition is CAD 15,500 per total for local students.
At a glance
Degree:Diploma
Field:Early Childhood Education
Duration: 2 years
Delivery: On Campus
Language: English
Local tuition: CAD 15,500 / total
Information for the 2027/28 academic year · Last reviewed September 2026 ·
Program details
Overview
The Early Learning and Childcare Diploma is a two-year diploma program delivered by Selkirk College on its Castlegar campus, with a single fall intake each year. The program combines theoretical study of child development, curriculum planning and teaching methodology with cultural competence content, preparing students to design and lead learning environments for young children. Practical experience is built in throughout the diploma through a sequence of practicum placements in regional early childhood settings, with responsibility progressing from observation in early terms to independently planning and delivering programming by the later practicum courses. Graduates are expected to demonstrate professional and ethical conduct, strong interpersonal skills, respect for cultural difference, inclusive practice and ongoing critical reflection. A current criminal record check from the Ministry of Justice is required before a student's first practicum placement. The college notes the diploma may be eligible for the Post-Graduation Work Permit, which is relevant to international applicants considering the program. The diploma suits students, including international students, seeking a practice-based route into early childhood education and care careers in licensed child care and early learning settings.
Requirements
Admission Requirements: Applicants must meet Selkirk College's general admission standard along with this program's own requirement of English Studies 12 or equivalent at a minimum of 60%. As English is the language of instruction in BC, students must otherwise meet an appropriate level of English-language proficiency to be accepted; those who do not must achieve the scores set out in Policy 8611, which does not itself publish a specific IELTS or TOEFL number on this page. A current Ministry of Justice criminal record check must be completed before starting the first practicum; some types of record may limit or prohibit acceptance into field placement, itself required for program promotion. The program runs full-time on campus at the Castlegar campus over 2 years, with Fall-only intake; a part-time option may be available depending on space, in consultation with a program coordinator.
Application Details
Start Date:Fall
Application Deadline:Selkirk College's general programmes admit on a rolling, first-qualified-first-admitted basis: applications for Fall 2027 open 1 October 2026, Winter 2028 applications open 1 February 2027, and Spring 2028 applications open 1 June 2027, with no fixed closing date. Both domestic and international applicants apply through EducationPlannerBC, or international applicants may instead apply directly to Selkirk with a $100 application package; admission stays rolling until seats fill. The Bachelor of Science in Nursing is competitive-entry with its own published timeline for the 2027/28 intake. These are institution-wide dates; this programme publishes no deadline of its own.
