The Early Childcare Assistant Diploma Program is a hands-on training program designed to prepare students for careers in early childhood care. The program focuses on practical skills and real-world experience, preparing graduates to support children’s development in daycares, preschools, and other childcare settings.

The academic portion of the program is delivered through live, instructor-led virtual classes, allowing you to learn from home. However, the program also includes in-person placement experiences and First Aid training, which are required to gain hands-on experience and meet industry expectations.

The Early Childcare Assistant Diploma Program can be completed in approximately 12 months, allowing students to gain the skills, training, and hands-on experience needed to begin a career in childcare in about a year.

You’ll learn the key principles of early childhood care and development, including creating nurturing learning environments, understanding child development, guiding behaviour with empathy, and maintaining safe and healthy childcare spaces.

Areas of study include:

• Introduction to Early Learning and Care

• Child Development from prenatal through school age

• Responsive Relationships and Guiding Behaviour

• Health, Safety, and Nutrition

• Observation, Documentation, and Program Planning

You’ll also complete 490 hours of hands-on placement experience, divided between Infant & Toddler and Preschool settings.

Students complete 490 hours of placement in real childcare settings, gaining valuable hands-on experience. This includes 245 hours in Infant & Toddler environments and 245 hours in Preschool settings, allowing students to work with children at different stages of development.

Graduates may pursue roles such as childcare assistants in daycare centres, preschool assistants, school-based childcare workers, and private home-based childcare providers. Opportunities may also exist in Ontario Early Years Centres, parent–child programs, and community learning environments.

To enroll in the Early Childcare Assistant Diploma Program, applicants must have:

• Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or Mature Student Status

• Completed Trillium College Immunization Report signed by a medical professional

• Clear Police Check (CPIC) with Vulnerable Sector Screening

• Completed Vulnerable Sector Screening waiver (VSS)

Trillium College combines live instructor-led classes, hands-on placement experience, and supportive instructors to help prepare students for careers in early childhood care. Graduates leave with the knowledge, confidence, and practical experience needed to support children’s learning and development.

The best first step is to connect with a Career Coach. They can answer your questions, walk you through the program, and help you determine if the Early Childcare Assistant Diploma Program is the right path for you.