Diploma Programme
Early Childhood Education
A two-year diploma covering children's physical, cognitive, social and emotional development from infancy to school age and how to plan inclusive programs for them. Courses include child development, curriculum, philosophy of education, communication, working with families and administration, and students complete more than 500 in-person field placement hours. Graduates meet the education requirement to register with the College of Early Childhood Educators and can move into Seneca's child development or interdisciplinary studies degrees.
University
Seneca Polytechnic
Country
Canada
Level
Diploma
Field
Early Childhood Education
Duration
4 semesters (2 years)
Language
English
Campus
King Campus (King City), Newnham Campus (Toronto)
Degree
Ontario College Diploma
Intake
September, January, May
Application Deadline
International applicants: no fixed deadline. Seneca admits students up to the first day of classes but stops accepting applications once a program is full, and spaces fill quickly, so apply as early as possible. Canadian applicants: applications are accepted up to the fourth day of classes while there is room; popular or competitive programs fill quickly, so apply early (Seneca refers to ontariocolleges.ca for its equal-consideration date)
Tuition Information
Seneca's 2026-27 fees (September 2026 to August 2027, which also apply to January and May 2027 starts): first-semester tuition of CAD 1,386.00 for Canadian students (CAD 2,217.52 with ancillary fees) and CAD 8,089.00 for international students (CAD 9,569.52 with ancillary fees, including the annual international health insurance fee). Seneca's international tuition table puts year one (two semesters) at CAD 16,178. Program fees, books and supplies are extra (books estimated at CAD 1,050.00 for the first semester). All figures are approximate and subject to change.
Admission Requirements
- Apply: international applicants use Seneca's International Student Web Application (up to three program choices) and pay a CAD 90 fee, credited back to the student account after acceptance and payment of first-semester fees. Seneca reviews international applications on seat availability, completeness and quality (grades and/or English scores), not first come, first served. Canadian applicants apply through ontariocolleges.ca (OCAS) and pay a CAD 200 non-refundable tuition deposit after confirming an offer
- Academic (Canadian applicants): OSSD or equivalent, or mature applicant status, with Grade 12 English (C or U); Canadian citizens and permanent residents can meet the English requirement through Seneca pre-admission testing
- Field placement requires a vulnerable sector check, a medical form (immunizations plus chest X-ray or TB test) and Standard First Aid & CPR-C; international students need a study permit that authorizes on-campus work
- International applicants submit Grade 10-12 transcripts showing the program's prerequisite subjects and their secondary school diploma, with certified English translations where needed; prerequisites are assessed at a level equivalent to Ontario's curriculum
- English proficiency (diplomas and advanced diplomas): IELTS Academic 6.0 with no band below 5.5, TOEFL iBT with no skill below 20/30 (or 4 on the 1-6 scale), PTE Academic 58, Duolingo 105-110, CAEL 60 or Cambridge 169 with no skill below 162; or show two years of full-time study at a school in a country where English is the main language, one year of full-time postsecondary study in such a country, or completion of an intensive English program such as Seneca's English Language Institute. Tests must be from the last two years, and meeting the minimum does not guarantee admission
- International availability on the program page as of October 5, 2026: September 2026 at King: closed; September 2026 at Newnham: closed; January 2027 at King: limited; January 2027 at Newnham: closed; May 2027 at King: limited; May 2027 at Newnham: limited. "Limited" means Seneca is accepting a limited number of applications. September 2027 is not yet listed for international applicants (it is open to Canadian applicants). Delivery (campus offering): in-person
- Seneca's program page states: "This program meets Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) eligibility requirements for students who apply for a study permit or PGWP before Nov 1, 2024 or on or after Dec 17, 2024. (CIP code: 19.0709)" Seneca notes that international students must study full-time (part-time is not an option), and must attend flexible-delivery courses in person, because studying online may affect PGWP eligibility; its list reflects IRCC requirements as of July 4, 2025 and may change