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As an early childhood educator, you hold a vital position in fostering children's growth, education, and development. The Early Learning and Child Care (ELCC) Diploma program prepares you to work with infants through twelve-year-olds in various educational settings. Upon completing the ELCC diploma, you'll expand your role from supporting children to assisting their families within community contexts. By encouraging each child's individuality and capabilities while respecting their diverse backgrounds, you can create meaningful change beyond the classroom. The program encourages self-reflection on your perspectives while implementing inclusive practices that value every child's unique circumstances, family structure, cultural heritage, and social environment.Program Delivery OptionsThe ELCC diploma offers multiple completion pathways. Choose full-time or part-time studies at Red Deer Polytechnic's main campus or opt for flexible online learning. This varied delivery method particularly suits working professionals managing career, family, and educational responsibilities.Traditional Campus ExperienceOn-campus students enjoy the advantages of RDP's facilities and peer interactions. ELCC learners participate in diverse educational approaches including collaborative projects, inverted classroom models, academic readings, assessments, group dialogues, and reflective practices that foster teamwork, inquiry, and analytical abilities. Field placements occur within the Red Deer area.Distance Learning OptionThe alternative delivery format provides adaptable scheduling with self-paced coursework and scheduled virtual evening classes connecting students with instructors and classmates. This option caters to employed individuals unable to attend campus sessions. International students must select on-campus delivery to comply with study visa regulations.
Admission requirements for specific programs will often refer to Alberta Grade 12 course groups. If you completed your studies outside of Alberta, please visit our International Course Equivalencies webpage for equivalencies from a variety of countries around the world.
Students applying to Early Learning and Child Care must have a minimum of 50% in: ELA 30-1, or equivalent or
A minimum of 65% in: ELA 30-2, or equivalent or
A minimum score of 250 on the Reading component, 250 on the Writing component and 5 on the WritePlacer Test. or
Previous completion of three College-level courses with a minimum GPA of 2.0. or
Early Learning and Child Care Certificate with a minimum GPA of 1.7, or consent of the Associate Dean. or
Transfer from another post-secondary institution. You will be required to present an equivalent academic program.
English Language Proficiency