Diploma Programme
Early Childhood Education
A two-year diploma preparing students to work in early learning and child care. Building on child development and responsive practice, students learn to design, deliver and evaluate inclusive, play-based programs together with families and communities, and practise in college-run child development centres, kindergarten classrooms, licensed child care and community agencies. Graduates can continue to Conestoga's Bachelor of Early Learning Program Development (Honours) with advanced standing.
University
Conestoga College
Country
Canada
Level
Diploma
Field
Early Childhood Education
Duration
2 years
Language
English
Campus
Kitchener – Doon, Brantford, Stratford
Degree
Ontario College Diploma
Intake
September, January, May
Application Deadline
International applicants: Conestoga accepts applications until a program reaches capacity and does not keep waitlists, so apply early; incomplete applications close when the program closes. Canadian applicants (September 2027): February 1, 2027 is the equal-consideration date; most programs keep accepting applications after that while space remains, but most oversubscribed programs do not
Tuition Information
Conestoga lists 2026-27 fees for the first year (two terms) of CAD 2,750 tuition (about CAD 4,808 with compulsory fees) for Canadian students, and CAD 15,477 tuition (about CAD 18,920 with compulsory fees, including health insurance) for international students. These are the 2026-27 (September 2026 to August 2027) rates; Conestoga says fees for programs starting September 2027 or later will be published in spring 2027. A non-refundable CAD 2,500 deposit is required from international students to hold a seat.
Admission Requirements
- Apply: international applicants use the ontariocolleges.ca (OCAS) international applicant portal and pay a CAD 100 application fee; Canadian applicants apply through ontariocolleges.ca. After an offer, international students pay the non-refundable CAD 2,500 deposit and Conestoga requests the Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) needed for the study permit
- Academic (Canadian applicants): OSSD or equivalent, or mature student status, with Grade 12 English (C at 65% or U at 55%) or Conestoga preparatory communications at 65%
- International applicants must meet the same program requirements with equivalent qualifications, and upload both their graduation document and transcript (Conestoga lists accepted documents by country)
- English proficiency (if your previous studies were not in English): IELTS Academic 6.0 with no band below 5.5, TOEFL iBT 80 with no skill below 20 (or 4.5 on the new 1-6 scale), PTE Academic 53, Duolingo 110, CAEL 70 (writing 60, no sub-test below 30) or Cambridge 170 (no skill below 165). Conestoga notes that required scores may vary for some IT and engineering programs
- International intakes listed on the program page as of October 5, 2026: January 2027 (accelerated delivery) at Kitchener – Doon: closed; May 2027 (accelerated delivery) at Kitchener – Doon: open; September 2027 at Brantford: upcoming; September 2027 at Kitchener – Doon: upcoming; September 2027 at Stratford: upcoming; January 2028 (accelerated delivery) at Kitchener – Doon: upcoming; May 2028 (accelerated delivery) at Kitchener – Doon: upcoming. "Upcoming" is Conestoga's status for an intake that is not yet open for applications. Listed for Canadian applicants only (no international offering): September 2027 at Waterloo (open)
- Conestoga lists this program (code 0003) on its PGWP-aligned programs page under CIP code 19.0709. Conestoga notes that it does not determine PGWP eligibility; IRCC makes the final decision and applicants should check IRCC's current list
- Accelerated (AD) intakes complete the program in four consecutive semesters