The Early Learning & Child Care Diploma is delivered fully online and builds upon the certificate program, preparing you to work in early learning programs in a supervisory capacity. There are five start dates during the academic year. Please note that each start date contains a different unit within the academic year.
The Diploma program emphasizes the development of knowledgeable and skilled practitioners who can model and lead best practices in early learning and childcare environment. The program course content provides the student with advanced knowledge and skills in the areas of development, health, family, and more.
Online Program
The online offering is open to domestic students only.
Our online program students receive live instruction with instructor-led classes. There are five start dates and open enrolment so you can start at any time. The program is delivered two nights a week from 6:30 - 9:00 P.M. (Wednesdays and Thursdays).
Face-to-face cohort
The face-to-face cohort is open to both domestic and international students.
Practicum can be arranged at a licensed childcare setting of your choice.
This program has high enrollment, and response times can take up to a week.
This program is available to International Students through the face-to-face cohort only. Our Designated Learning Institute (DLI) number is O111010246767.
Please Note: This program is eligible for post-graduate work permit (PGWP).
Unfortunately, at this point in time, this program is not available to international students. Please click the link to view all of our international students programs.
Career Potential
Graduates of the Early Learning and Child Care Diploma Program qualify for Level 3 Early Childhood Educator through Child Care Staff Certification, Government of Alberta, Children Youth Services.
Students who obtain 45 hours in an Early Childhood course can apply for Level 1 Early Childhood Educator Certification from the Government of Alberta, Children and Youth Services
Credentials
Diploma
Admission Requirements
- Successful completion of Early Learning and Child Care Certificate from Portage College or another provincial college
Other
- Police Information Check (PIC) with at Vulnerable Sector Search (VSS) is required prior to practicum placements. PIC must valid within one year of practicum start date.
- Practicum students must have completed ECDE100 Human Development to be eligible for practicum placement.
- Please refer to the following link for minimum technical requirements on our Moodle page
Transferability
Some courses are transferable to the Portage College Educational Assistant program. Transferability to other provincial colleges is available. 60 block credit transfer to Athabasca University BPA program.
Additional info
- Levels 1, 2, and 3 can not be used for admission into the program.
- Portage College Early Learning programs do not accept Private Post-Secondary transcripts for transferability into this program.
Program Start/End Dates
Application is on a continuous basis. Registration is monthly; you can enroll at any point in the academic year if you have the program prerequisites. You must apply, pay the application fee and meet the entrance requirements by the application deadline for the course you are applying to start on. The start dates and the application/entrance requirement deadlines for each course are as follows.
First Start Date: August 20, 2025 (Children with Exceptionalities, Development and Inclusive Studies II). Applications open.
Second Start Date: October 22, 2025 (Early Learning and Childcare Curriculum, Early Childhood Foundations). Applications open.
Third Start Date: January 7, 2026 (Sociology of the Family, Practicum Integration Seminar, Developmentally Appropriate Guidance). Applications open.
Fourth Start Date: March 11, 2026 (Child Health, Language Growth). Applications open.
Fifth Start Date: May 6, 2026 (Introduction to Daycare Administration). Applications open.
Location
Online Delivery
Domestic Student Fees
Application Fee $53.50
2025-2026 yearly tuition and mandatory fees, if you complete all the credits required in the academic year, is:
| Tuition | $4,516.82 |
| Student Association | $302.35 |
| Dental Insurance Fee | $163.25 |
| Health Insurance Fee | $163.25 |
| Technology Fee | $248.13 |
| Recreation Fee | $132.68 |
| Total | $5,526.48 |
Tuition is calculated using “cost-per-credit” one credit is $136.87. Calculate the cost by multiplying the number of credits per course by $136.87.
Other mandatory fees Fall semester
| Student Association | $116.70 |
| Dental Insurance Fee | $163.25 |
| Health Insurance Fee | $163.25 |
| Technology Fee | $82.71 |
| Recreation Fee | $54.57 |
| Total | $580.48 |
Other mandatory fees Winter semester
| Student Association | $116.70 |
| Dental Insurance Fee | $163.25 |
| Health Insurance Fee | $107.75 |
| Technology Fee | $82.71 |
| Recreation Fee | $54.57 |
| Total | $524.98 |
Other mandatory fees Spring semester
| Student Association | $68.95 |
| Technology Fee | $82.71 |
| Recreation Fee | $23.54 |
| Total | $175.20 |
Visit Portage Bookstore for textbooks and supplies
Tuition Deposit: $100 (non-refundable for oversubscribed programs)
Need help funding your education? Check out our funding options.
Fee Explanations
Students’ Association Fees
These fees are authorized by student referendum and the Board of Governors. They are collected by the College on behalf of the Students’ Association in accordance with the Post Secondary Learning Act.
Health & Dental Fees
You may opt-out of the Dental and Health Insurance plan if you provide proof of comparable coverage for an extended health and/or dental care benefits plan.
Any questions regarding SA Fees including the Health and Dental Insurance fees should be directed to the SA Office 780-623-5609.
Athletics & Recreation Fees
These fees are collected to provide recreation and leisure opportunities that promote students’ physical, social, and emotional well-being, whether online or through in person facilities. Check out your +region in the link, to see what is offered at your campus or online.
Technology Fee
This is a mandatory fee assessed to students enrolling in any credit course (except for apprenticeship programs) at Portage College. The fee supports the on-going maintenance and upgrades to administrative systems that support the entire College infrastructure.
As such, it is considered a “mandatory non-instructional fee” and, therefore, is subject to Alberta Advanced Education Public Post-Secondary Institutions’ Tuition Fees Regulations. Visa students are charged the same rate as Canadian residents for this fee.
International Student Fees
Application Fee $160.00
Tuition Deposit $5000.00 (non-refundable)
If you choose to pay the full tuition and mandatory fees, you may still be eligible for a refund of payments above the $5000 deposit, as per the Portage College refund policy.
2025-2026 yearly tuition and mandatory fees, if you complete all the credits required in the academic year, is:
| Tuition | $15,300.00 |
| Student Association | $302.35 |
| Dental Insurance Fee | $163.25 |
| Health Insurance Fee | $163.25 |
| Guard Me Insurance | $602.25 |
| Technology Fee | $248.13 |
| Recreation Fee | $132.68 |
| Total | $16,911.91 |
Visit Portage Bookstore for textbooks and supplies
Fee Explanations
Students’ Association Fees
These fees are authorized by student referendum and the Board of Governors. They are collected by the College on behalf of the Students’ Association in accordance with the Post Secondary Learning Act.
Health & Dental Fees
You may opt-out of the Dental and Health Insurance plan if you provide proof of comparable coverage for an extended health and/or dental care benefits plan.
Any questions regarding SA Fees including the Health and Dental Insurance fees should be directed to the SA Office 780-623-5609.
Athletics & Recreation Fees
These fees are collected to provide recreation and leisure opportunities that promote students’ physical, social, and emotional well-being, whether online or through in person facilities. Check out your +region in the link, to see what is offered at your campus or online.
Technology Fee
This is a mandatory fee assessed to students enrolling in any credit course (except for apprenticeship programs) at Portage College. The fee supports the on-going maintenance and upgrades to administrative systems that support the entire College infrastructure.
As such, it is considered a “mandatory non-instructional fee” and, therefore, is subject to Alberta Advanced Education Public Post-Secondary Institutions’ Tuition Fees Regulations. Visa students are charged the same rate as Canadian residents for this fee.
Early Learning and Child Care Diploma
We acknowledge that Portage College’s service region is on the traditional lands of First Nation Peoples, the owners of Treaty 6, 8 and 10, which are also homelands to the Métis people. We honour the history and culture of all people who first lived and gathered in these lands.