Study Early Childhood Education part-time online

Ontario College Diploma

Enjoy engaging faculty. Experience exciting, project-based classes. Choose a variety of hands-on experiences in the ECE field.

Please refer to the Early Childhood Education program page for all of the main details, including admissions requirements.

Delivery schedule
Information package
Field placement information
OntarioLearn equivalents
ECE grant information

On this page:

Take the CareerMatch quiz
Placement requirements
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2025-2026 program outline
2025-2026 outline (PDF)
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Program information

Program description

In this program, students learn to facilitate the development of children from birth to 12 years while encouraging their feelings of self-worth and social-emotional resiliency. Students design and implement play-based experiences, focusing on children’s interests through indoor and outdoor play opportunities. Students learn the importance of being responsive caregivers while respecting diversity, identity and the rights of children and families. Partnerships with families, other professionals, and community programs form the foundation of working in the field of early learning and care. Field placements provide students with the opportunity to practice the knowledge and skills as they engage with children and adults. Students are offered a unique balance between theoretical knowledge and practical experience.

Review program admission requirements and information about career opportunities.

An Early Childhood Educator (ECE) reading to a group of young children in a daycare centre

Course information

Course offerings and equivalents

Currently available courses are linked below. Please see our course listings of available General Education and Communications courses for this program.

How to apply to the part-time Early Childhood Education diploma program

Apply online through ontariocolleges.ca

  1. Make sure you meet program admission requirements
  2. Complete an online application using the Ontario College Application Service (OCAS) using the part-time program code
  3. When registration opens,  select the course(s) from the program webpage course listing and follow the prompt steps to register and pay

Need help with your application?

Watch a video tutorial

Contact the Office of the Registrar

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Finance and fees

Are part-time students eligible for the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP)?Georgian College Chevron

As a part-time student, you may be eligible for OSAP funding, depending on the number of courses you take per semester.

For more information about OSAP, including eligibility requirements and how to apply, visit the OSAP/financial aid webpage.

What is the cost of the program?Georgian College Chevron

As a part-time student, you can take one to three courses per semester, paying on a course-by-course basis.

For course fee information, select a course from the course information section of this page.

Online learning

What is an OntarioLearn (ODE) course?Georgian College Chevron

These courses are offered through OntarioLearn. Visit the OntarioLearn webpage to learn more.

OntarioLearn courses are set up as equivalents to the Georgian courses. You can choose to take the ODE courses or the Georgian courses.

When a Georgian course isn’t available to be delivered online, we’ve listed an OntarioLearn course in the delivery schedule. The majority of the Georgian courses have ODE equivalents set up. You can choose to take either course.

Credit for Prior Learning (CPL)

Can I transfer credits or prior life or work experience to fast track my studies?Georgian College Chevron

Previous postsecondary education: If you’ve completed courses, or some or all of a program, at another accredited postsecondary institution, you may be able to transfer all or some of your courses into a related program at Georgian.

Relevant work or life experience: If you have relevant work and/or life experience that relates to your program(s) of interest at Georgian, Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) is an academic credit option.

To learn more about transfer credit and PLAR, visit the Credit for Prior Learning webpage.

Do you have questions about studying Early Childhood Education part-time?

Questions about the program?

Continuing Education

  • Questions about the program or need help with registration? Complete our online form to connect with the Continuing Education team