- Level
- 2-Year UG Diploma
- CIP code
- 19.0711
- Duration
- 2 year college diploma (4 semesters)
- Open intakes
-
Off-shoreJan 2027, May 2027
- Field
- Early Childhood and Primary Education
- Institution
- Public College
- Offer speed
- Fast Offer Speed5–7 days
- Next deadline
- 2027-01-01
Program overview
The early childhood education diploma is a four semester Ontario College Diploma covering child development, play based curriculum, observation and documentation, health and nutrition, family partnerships and supervised field placements in licensed child care.
Graduates can apply to the College of Early Childhood Educators to become a Registered Early Childhood Educator (RECE), the licence Ontario child care centres hire for.
The early childhood education diploma is taught at Durham College’s Oshawa campus on Simcoe Street North, which it shares with Ontario Tech University, at a public Ontario college founded in 1967. Durham lists the early childhood education diploma on its PGWP list under CIP 19.0711, and a programme of two years or more supports a permit of up to three years. IRCC froze its eligible field of study list for 2026, but officers still assess every file, so check CIP 19.0711 against the live list before you pay for the early childhood education diploma. Ontario also requires a provincial attestation letter before the early childhood education diploma can support a study permit.
Entry to the early childhood education diploma needs Grade 12 or equivalent at 50 percent or above. The English requirement is IELTS 6.0 with no band below 5.5, and first year tuition for the early childhood education diploma is recorded at CAD 15,489. Durham charges a CAD 100 application fee and issues the attestation letter once first semester fees for the early childhood education diploma are paid. The early childhood education diploma has three 2027 intakes for international students including a May start, the earliest in January 2027. Apply Study Visa handles the application for the early childhood education diploma, the first semester payment, the attestation letter and the Canadian study permit as one process.
What it costs per year · indicative
Living cost is an estimate; tuition is the institute's published international fee. We confirm exact, current figures before you pay anything.
Do you qualify?
These are the published minimums. Whether your profile fits — with your marks, gap and budget — is exactly what a free counsellor check confirms.
Admission requirements
Who can apply (guide for international students):
- Education: Grade 12 or equivalent from a recognised institution, at 50 percent or above.
- English (meet any one): IELTS Academic 6.0 overall with no band below 5.5; TOEFL iBT 80 with no section below 20, or 4 overall with no section below 4 on the new scale for tests taken from 21 January 2026; PTE Academic 53 with no section below 49; CAEL 60 with no section below 60; or the Duolingo English Test at 105.
- Application and payment: Durham charges a non-refundable CAD 100 application fee. First semester fees must be paid before Durham releases the provincial attestation letter needed for the study permit.
- Scholarship: Durham’s global entrance scholarship credits CAD 2,000 to your student account when you accept the offer, with a further CAD 1,000 in year two for programmes of two years or more. It is confirmed for intakes up to January 2027, and Durham renews it each cycle, so check the terms for your intake.
- Additional requirement: A police record check with vulnerable sector screening, immunisations, mask fit testing and CPR are required before placement.
- Work rights: Durham lists this programme as PGWP eligible under CIP 19.0711, supporting a work permit of up to three years. A PGWP also requires a language test at CLB 5 in all four abilities for college credentials, taken within two years of applying. This is separate from the English test you need for admission. No open work permit for a spouse or partner, since IRCC now limits those to master, doctoral and select professional programmes.
- Study permit: Apply Study Visa prepares the attestation letter request, the financial evidence and the Canadian study permit submission with you.
English requirements
Documents you'll need typical · we confirm yours
- Valid passport (6+ months validity)
- Class 10 & 12 marksheets and certificates
- English test scorecard (IELTS / PTE / TOEFL) or MOI certificate
- Statement of Purpose (SOP)
- Financial proof — bank statement / loan sanction + GIC
- Passport-size photographs
- Study-gap affidavit or work-experience letter (if applicable)
Getting documents right is the #1 reason applications succeed or get refused — our team checks every file before submission.
Career opportunities
Typical destinations for graduates:
- Registered Early Childhood Educator: licensed child care centres
- Early Learning Educator: school board kindergarten
- Child Care Supervisor: after experience
- Home Child Care Visitor: agencies
- Resource Educator: special needs programmes
- Early Years Program Facilitator: EarlyON centres
Reality check: Ontario’s CAD 10 a day child care plan has pushed demand for RECEs up, although starting wages remain modest.
About Durham College
- Type
- College
- Ownership
- Public
- Rating
- ★ 4.6
- Established
- 1967
- Reference No.
- O19361081012
