About Early Childhood Education And Care Diploma in Northern Lights College

Early Childhood Education and Care students develop the knowledge and skills necessary to work with young children and their families in diverse early learning settings in British Columbia. Students develop skills through courses and practica designed to integrate academic and practical experiences. This program may be completed on a part- or full-time basis. Students may complete the program within their own community through online delivery.

The Early Childhood Education and Care Diploma program accepts applications on an ongoing basis but there is a deadline for applications for each term:
May 1 for Fall (September) start
October 1 for Winter (January) start
February 1 for Spring/Summer (May or July) start

Career Prospects

- After successful completion of one of HDEC 101, 102, or 103 with a minimum grade of “C,” students may apply to the BC ECE Registry for an Early Childhood Educator Assistant (ECEA) Certificate.
- After completing the first 15 courses listed under “Required Courses” below, students may apply to the BC ECE Registry for an Early Childhood Educator (ECE) Certificate.
- Students who complete the full NLC ECEC Diploma will be eligible to apply to the BC ECE Registry for both an Early Childhood Educator Certificate and an Infant and Toddler Educator (ITE) Certificate or a Special Needs Educator (SNE) Certificate depending on their selection of a final practicum course.
- NLC diploma graduates may complete the alternate final practicum course as ongoing professional development in order to apply for the remaining BC ECE Registry certificate to practice. 
- For up-to-date information on licensing requirements, including an additional required 500 hours of work experience (post diploma), please visit http://www.mcf.gov.bc.ca/childcare/ece/ .
- Early Childhood Educators with BC ECE Registry certificates to practice may be employed as educators, supervisors, managers, directors, or administrators of licensed group childcare centres; in Aboriginal early care and learning programs; or in strong start programs, young parent programs, drop-in programs, home visit programs, licensed family centres, out of school care, or preschool programs.
- Early Childhood Educators have also found employment as supported child development workers, holiday destination children's program workers, nannies, and respite providers.
- With additional relevant education (e.g., a Child and Youth Care Degree, Social Work Degree, or an Early Childhood Education graduate degree), Early Childhood Educators may find work as child development counsellors, family resource centre coordinators, child care resource and referral consultants/co-ordinators, licensing officers, ECE researchers, or ECE instructors.

Academic qualification equivalents

• Completion of All India or State Board HSC (XII): 55% or higher in relevant subjects.

English language requirements (one of the below):

• IELTS: 6.0 with no band lower than 5.5
• TOEFL: 78 IBT

Northern Lights College Highlights

International Students - Program Tuition/Costs

International applicants are responsible for all program and living costs while studying at Mount Royal University.

Here are the estimated costs you can expect:

Student Services Fees Table

Student services fees are assessed for each semester or equivalent instructional period in which a student is enrolled. Full-time students are student enrolled in 9 or more credits per semester, or 18 or more contact hours per week. For programs that do not follow a semester, Student Services Fees cover up to five months (20 weeks).

Other Fees and Charges

The following fees and charges are in effect from 01 September 2019 to 31 August 2020. For Testing/Assessment Service fees, see