As an early childhood educator, you plan and organize activities for preschool and school-aged children. You also lead children in activities to stimulate and develop their intellectual, physical and emotional growth.
More Info:
Entrance Requirements
- Grade 12
- English language requirement
- Criminal record check, immunization record, Standard First Aid, and CPR may all be required prior to practicum.
Please note that if you do not meet these entrance requirements, special admissions options may be available.
*Grade 12 is not required for Level 1 Early Childhood Education courses, which is a requirement to work in licensed Saskatchewan child care centres.
Kindersley
Completion of ECE 106, ECE 142 and HUMD 183 meet the Ministry's minimum training requirements for Level 1 certification. Completion of these three courses also qualifies you to receive a Certificate of Achievement from Saskatchewan Polytechnic.
All classes are delivered in the evening.
Part-time classes offered in 2025-26 are:
LEVEL 1 – CERTIFICATE OF ACHIEVEMENT
-Child Guidance 1 (HUMD 183): September 2 - October 9, 2025
-Health Safety & Nutrition (ECE 142): October 14 - November 13, 2025
-Dynamics of Play 1 (ECE 106): November 18 - December 18, 2025
LEVEL 2 - DIPLOMA IN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION
- Introduction to Early Childhood Education (ECE100): January 6 - February 5, 2026
- Observation & Documentation 1 (ECE181): February 10 - March 19, 2026
- Effective Relationships in Early Childhood Environments(ECE 107): March 24 - April 30, 2026
- Practicum 1 (PRSC 104): May 1 - May 29, 2026
- Growth & Development of Young Children (HUMD 102): June 2 - June 30, 2026
- Curriculum Design in Early Childhood Education 1 (ECE 108): September 1 - September 24, 2026
- Curriculum Design in Early Childhood Education 2 (ECE109): September 29 - October 29, 2026
- Professionalism 1 (PD 100): November 3 - November 24, 2026
- Practicum 2 (PRAC 119): November 25 - December 18, 2026
Maple Creek
Completion of ECE 106, ECE 142 and HUMD 183 meet the Ministry's minimum training requirements for Level 1 Early Childhood Education certification and qualifies you to receive a Certificate of Achievement from Saskatchewan Polytechnic. The Child Guidance 1 (HUMD 183) and Health, Safety, and Nutrition (ECE 142) courses are also recognized as dual credit allowing you to simultaneously earn Saskatchewan Polytechnic and Grade 12 credits.
An additional ten courses and two practicums meet the license requirement for Level 2 certification.
All classes are delivered in the evening and live streamed from the Swift Current Campus. A facilitator will be onsite to support students.
Part-time classes offered in 2025-26 are:
CERTIFICATE OF ACHIEVEMENT (ECE Level 1)
-Dynamics of Play 1 (ECE 106): October 1-December 18, 2025
-Child Guidance 1 (HUMD 183): January 5-March 12, 2026
-Health, Safety, and Nutrition (ECE 142): March 16-May 22, 2026
DIPLOMA IN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION YEAR 1 (ECE Level 2)
- Introduction to Early Childhood Education (ECE 100): September 3 - October 6, 2025
- Observation and Documentation 1 (ECE 181): October 15 - November 17, 2025
- Effective Relationships in Early Childhood Environments (ECE 107): November 19 - December 17, 2025
- Growth and Development of Young Children (HUMD 102): January 12 - February 11, 2026
- Curriculum Design in Early Childhood Education 1 (ECE 108): February 23 - March 23, 2026
- Curriculum Design in Early Childhood Education 2 (ECE 109): March 20 - May 13, 2026
- Professionalism (PD 100): May 20 - June 17, 2026
Please note: This program combines essential skills training and Early Childhood Education courses so you'll be ready to start a new career working with children.
Swift Current
Completion of ECE 106, ECE 142 and HUMD 183 meet the Ministry's minimum training requirements for Level 1 certification. Completion of these three courses also qualifies you to receive a Certificate of Achievement from Saskatchewan Polytechnic.
The full-time program begins in September and classes are delivered during the day. Students will take all the courses listed to the right. A full course schedule will be provided upon acceptance to the program.
Part-time classes are delivered in the evening and are offered from September-June.
Part-time classes offered in 2025-26 are:
LEVEL 1 – CERTIFICATE OF ACHIEVEMENT
- Child Guidance 1 (HUMD 183): September 2 - October 14, 2025
- Health Safety & Nutrition (ECE 142): October 16 - November 18, 2025
- Dynamics of Play 1 (ECE 106): November 20 - December 18, 2025
- Child Guidance 1 (HUMD 183): January 6 - February 12, 2026
- Health Safety & Nutrition (ECE 142): March 3 - March 31, 2026
- Dynamics of Play 1 (ECE 106): April 14 - May 12, 2026
DIPLOMA IN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION YEAR 1 (ECE Level 2)
Cohort A - Tuesday & Thursday evenings, 7:00 -9:30p.m.
- Curriculum Design in Early Childhood Education 1 (ECE 100): September 2 - October 2, 2025
- Observation and Documentation 1 (ECE 181): October 7 - November 4, 2025
- Effective Relationships in Early Childhood Environments (ECE 107): November 13 - December 16, 2025
- Growth and Development of Young Children (HUMD 102): January 6 - February 3, 2026
- Introduction to Early Childhood Education (ECE 108): February 24 - March 24, 2026
- Curriculum Design in Early Childhood Education 2 (ECE 109*): April 14 - May 21, 2026
- Professionalism (PD 100): May 26 - June 23, 2026
- Practicum 1 (PRAC 104): Ongoing
- Practicum 2 (PRAC 119): Ongoing
*ECE 109: Requires ECE 108 as a prerequisite
Cohort B - Monday & Wednesday evenings, 7:00-9:30p.m.
- Growth and Development of Young Children (HUMD 102): September 3 - October 15, 2025
- Professionalism (PD 100): May 19 - October 20 - November 17, 2025
- Curriculum Design in Early Childhood Education 1 (ECE 100): November 19 - December 17, 2025
- Observation and Documentation 1 (ECE 181): January 5 - February 2, 2026
- Effective Relationships in Early Childhood Environments (ECE 107): February 23 - March 23, 2026
- Introduction to Early Childhood Education (ECE 108): April 13 - May 11, 2026
- Curriculum Design in Early Childhood Education 2 (ECE 109*): May 13 - June 24, 2026
- Practicum 1 (PRAC 104): Ongoing
- Practicum 2 (PRAC 119): Ongoing
*ECE 109: Requires ECE 108 as a prerequisite
DIPLOMA IN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION YEAR 2 (ECE Level 3)
- Responsive Care for Infants and Toddlers (ECE 202): September 3 - October 1 , 2025
- Inclusion in Early Learning and Childcare Settings (ECE 203): October 20 - November 26, 2025
- Observation and Documentation 2 (ECE 221): January 5 - February 2, 2026
- Curriculum Design in Early Childhood Education 3 (ECE 205): March 2 - March 30, 2026
- Outdoor and Nature Play (ECE 206): April 13 - May 11, 2026
*All Level 3 classes require PRAC 119 as a prerequisite.
Warman
Completion of ECE 106, ECE 142 and HUMD 183 meet the Ministry's minimum training requirements for Level 1 certification. Completion of these three courses also qualifies you to receive a Certificate of Achievement from Saskatchewan Polytechnic. An additional ten courses and two practicums meet the license requirement for Level 2 certification.
Full-Time Program
Starts January 2026 with classes delivered during the day. Students will complete all courses listed to the right. A detailed course schedule will be provided upon acceptance.
Part-Time Program
Evening classes run September–June. Please note: 2025–26 part-time classes are full. The 2026–27 schedule will be released in the spring.
Important: All courses are delivered in-person on campus.
What You Will Learn
This part-time diploma program gives you an understanding of children’s varying physical, social, cognitive, creative and emotional development stages and teaches the importance of play as a vehicle for learning.
Career Opportunities
As an early childhood educator you will plan and organize activities for preschool and school-aged children. You will also lead children in activities to stimulate and develop their intellectual, physical and emotional growth. Employment may be obtained in early learning centres, preschools and private day homes, to name just a few.
Earning Potential
In 2023, the wage estimates for early childhood educators and assistants in Saskatchewan was $14.00-$22.11 per hour, according to the Saskatchewan Ministry of Immigration and Career Training. Employees may earn more or less depending on their employer, location, size of company, training, experience and hours worked.
Scholarship Eligible
More information about available scholarships are found here; Admissions & Scholarships.
More Information About Scholarships
Find Out More
Course offerings vary from year to year based on demand. To find out more about the Early Childhood Education program, contact
Phone: 306-773-1531
Toll-free: 1(866) 296-2472
