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.
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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.
Biggar
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. These three courses are also recognized as dual credit allowing you to simultaneously earn Saskatchewan Polytechnic and Grade 12 credits.
Please note: this program will be offered tuition-free for the 2024-25 academic year. Prospective students will only be required to pay the $75 application fee.
Part-time classes offered in 2024-25 are:
CERTIFICATE OF ACHIEVEMENT (ECE Level 1)
No level 1 courses are scheduled for 2024-25.
DIPLOMA IN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION YEAR 1 (ECE Level 2)
- Introduction to Early Childhood Education (ECE 100): September 3 - October 1, 2024
- Observation & Documentation (ECE 181): October 5 - November 7, 2024
- Effective Relationships in Early Childhood Environment (ECE 107): November 14 - December 17, 2024
- Practicum 1 (PRAC 104): January 6 - 31, 2025
- Growth & Development of Young Children (HUMD 102): February 1 - March 4, 2025
- Curriculum Design in Early Childhood Education 1 (ECE 108): March 6 - April 1, 2025
- Curriculum Design in Early Childhood Education 2 (ECE 109): April 3 - May 6, 2025
- Professionalism (PD 100): May 8 - 31, 2025
- Practicum 2 (PRAC 119): June 4 - 27, 2025
*All classes will be offered two evenings/week, plus the occasional Saturday.
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
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): January 5 - February 2, 2026
- Effective Relationships in Early Childhood Environments (ECE 107): November13 - December 16, 2025
- Growth and Development of Young Children (HUMD 102): January 6 - February 12, 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, 20206
*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.
The full-time program begins in January 2026 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 2024-25 are:
LEVEL 1 – CERTIFICATE OF ACHIEVEMENT (ECE Level 1)
Cohort A - Wednesday & Thursday evenings, 6:00-8:30 p.m.
Semester 1
– Child Guidance 1 (HUMD 183): September 4 - October 21, 2024
– Health, Safety & Nutrition (ECE 142): October 28 - December 9, 2024
Semester 2
– Dynamics of Play 1 (ECE 106): January 6 - February 10, 2025
– Child Guidance (HUMD 183): February 24 - April 7, 2025
– Health, Safety & Nutrition (ECE 142): April 14 - May 21, 2025
– Dynamics of Play (ECE 106) : May 26 - June 30, 2025
Cohort B - Monday & Wednesday evenings, 6:00-8:30 p.m.
Semester 1
– Child Guidance 1 (HUMD 183): September 5 - October 23, 2024
– Health, Safety & Nutrition (ECE 142): November 6 - December 5, 2024
Semester 2
– Dynamics of Play 1 (ECE 106): January 8 - February 6, 2025
– Child Guidance (HUMD 183): February 26 - April 9, 2025
– Health, Safety & Nutrition (ECE 142): April 17 - May 22, 2025
– Dynamics of Play (ECE 106) : May 28 - June 36, 2025
DIPLOMA IN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION YEAR 1 (ECE Level 2)
Tuesday & Wednesday evenings, 6:00-8:30 p.m.
Semester 1
– Professionalism 1 (PD 100): September 10 - October 29, 2024
– Observation 1 (ECE 181): October 29 - November 5, 2024
Semester 2
– Introduction to Early Childhood Education (ECE 100): January 7 - March 4, 2025
– Effective Relationships in Early Childhood Environments (ECE 107): March 11 - April 29, 2025
– Growth and Development of Young Children (HUMD 102): May 6 - June 24, 2025
DIPLOMA IN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION YEAR 2 (ECE Level 3)
Wednesday & Thursday evenings, 6:00-8:30 p.m.
Semester 1
– Child Guidance 2 (HUMD 200): September 5 - October 24, 2024
– Inclusion in Early Learning and Childcare Settings (ECE 203): November 7 - December 19, 2024
Semester 2
– Responsive Care for School Age Children (ECE 226): January 9 - February 13, 2025
– Anti-Bias Education in Early Childhood (ECE 220): February 27 - April 17, 2025
– Outdoor and Nature Play (ECE 206): April 24 - May 24, 2025
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 2022, the wage estimates for early childhood educators and assistants in Saskatchewan was $13.00-$24.12 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.
Find Out More
Course offerings vary from year to year based on demand. To find out more about the Early Childhood Education program, book an appointment with a student adviser today.
Biggar
Phone: 306-948-3363
Toll-free: 1(866) 296-2472
Kindersley
Phone: 306-463-6431
Toll-free: 1 (866) 296-2472
Maple Creek
Phone: 306-662-3829
Toll-free: 1 (866) 296-2472
Swift Current
Email
Phone: 306-773-1531
Toll-free: 1(866) 296-2472
Warman
Email
Phone: 306-242-5377
Toll-free: 1(866) 296-2472
