Admissions FAQ

Did you know that NSCECE offers online and on-campus Early Childhood Education programs? 

That means whether you’re seeking a traditional Early Childhood Education Diploma in a classroom setting, on campus, or you need a mix of live, online lectures and pre-recorded content to complete on your own time, NSCECE provides both.

Find your best-fit program that supports your lifestyle—explore the Programs Page

You can also contact our ECE Admissions Mentor.

Immediately after completing step one, you will be granted access to an online portal that will help you find and organize the documents that are required for admission into the program. These include the following:

• Academic Transcripts
• Self-reported Volunteer/Work Experience (Minimum 25 hours)
• 2 Character References
• Vulnerable Sector Check
• Child Abuse Registry Check
• Emergency Contact Information 

International Students may also require the following:

• Proof of English Proficiency (ESL)
• Police Check (International)
• Visas / Study Permits / Permission to Study Abroad 

You can upload your supporting documents on our online portal or you can send them to out Admissions Officer via mail ([email protected]). You’ll email instructions to help you complete your application online or offline.

Yes, but this depends on the program you enroll in. To figure out which is right for you, explore our programs page or reach out for help on our Ask an ECE page.

It's important to distinguish between certificates and diplomas, which you earn with us, and classification, which the provincial government handles. 

NSCECE will provide your training, education, practicum experiences, and will issue you an Early Childhood Assistant (ECA) Certificate or an ECE Diploma. However, we do not grant your level-one or level-two classification.  

Classification is issued by Classification Services, Early Years Branch, at the Department of Education & Early Childhood Development. 

The requirements for classification and the requirements to work in specific centres may evolve with industry standards. For example, you now need to have First Aid and CPR training to work in a regulated childcare centre. You can find up-to-date information about this on government websites. 

You’ll need to maintain your classification with 30 hours of professional development every three years. We can provide you with professional development opportunities through our Early Years Community Development Centre. You would be responsible for reporting those hours to the Department of Education & Early Childhood Development.

More information here:

• https://www.ednet.ns.ca/earlyyears/pd/ClassificationforStaff.shtml

PLAR is the reason we are able to condense a two year full-time program into a one year part-time program!

If you have been working full-time in a registered early learning setting for a minimum of one year, you will likely qualify for PLAR.

You can expect to receive credit toward 50% of your courses and practicum requirements. 

You worked hard for your experience. Our faculty and staff are here to help you get the credit and recognition you deserve. 

When you choose NSCECE, you're accessing a team of dedicated professionals and peers who will support you through the process of challenging the course content and workplace practicum requirements.  

You have the expertise, and we’re going to help you demonstrate it and gain the recognition that you deserve.

Learn more about PLAR

If you have successfully completed relevant courses at other post-secondary institutions (i.e., a similar course with the same number of course hours), and have a final grade of 70% or higher you may be eligible for course exemptions. Note: course exemptions will not affect student tuition.

Academic Credential Evaluation

For individuals requiring this service, simply:
• Complete the Academic Credential Evaluation form
• Submit form, transcript and course outlines from your previous college and/or university to the Registrar ([email protected]) or Student Success Coordinator ([email protected]) for review

1. Complete the Accommodation Request Form with the Student Success Coordinator.

2. Provide recent documentation (within the past five years) from a health professional describing the accommodations required. The letter does not need to disclose any diagnosis or disability; however, it needs to be clear about the student’s needs.

3. Meet with a Success Coordinator to discuss the accommodations.  You will need to book an appointment: https://bookus.page/NSCECE/studentsuccess.   

Applicants will receive an acceptance letter via e-mail. Applicants who are not accepted will also be notified via email.

The prerequisites for acceptance are as follows:

Pay the application fee ($25 Canadian / $75 International)

After paying the fee, you’ll be granted access to our admissions portal, where you will:

• Complete an application form
• Upload copies of your academic transcripts
• Complete an admissions assessment (International students only)

Conditional Acceptance is awarded based on the date and time stamp of the completion of the above process.  If the program is full, you will be accepted and placed on a waiting list. 

Tuition – Domestic

8-mos ECA certificate  -  $3,920.44

12-mos onsite diploma  -  $13,206.90

16-mos online diploma  -  $13,206.90

14-mos online diploma with PLAR  -  $11,220.44 (with Level 1 Classification)

18-mos online diploma with PlAR - $13,206.90 does (without Level 1 Classification)

26-mos online Hybrid diploma -  $13,206.90

26-mos online Pathways diploma -  $13,206.90

Tuition – International  

8-mos ECA certificate  -  $3,920.44

12-mos onsite diploma  -  $18,206.90

16-mos online diploma. -  $18,206.90

International Differential

In addition to tuition, $1000

 Student Fee (Applies to all programs) - $125

 Graduation Fee      - All programs - $60

Note that there are many funding opportunities and you can get an idea of funding opportunities available to you using our NSCECE Funding Opportunities  Calculator. 

The estimated cost of books for ECE is $506 for diploma students, and $257 for ECA.

$25 Domestic

$75 International 

Payment of the application fee is required to process your application.

The application fees are non-refundable. 

Upon acceptance into the program you will need to pay a $200 tuition deposit. This is not refundable but can be transferred to another program for up to one year.

There are many funding options available to you. Explore our funding opportunities page to find opportunities suited to your circumstance.

The Student Success Coordinator offers support with:

• Academic, personal, and career counselling
• Academic accommodations
• Advising and course planning
• Coaching on mindfulness, time management, and study skills
• Assignment support
• Academic credential evaluations

Student Success can be reached by emailing [email protected] or calling (902) 423-7114, ext. 236

NSCECE has contracted with Guiard.me to offer our international health insurance plan while studying at our college.  https://www.guard.me/nscece

It is the responsibility of the student to arrange their own transportation to and from the NSCECE and to and from any practicum placement or college related activity. NSCECE is located in downtown Halifax and is easily accessible by public transit. Visit Quinpool Road Business Association for details on street parking.

The College operates three lab schools at Nova Scotia Community College’s Dartmouth and Halifax campuses. Child care for our students with children aged 3 months to 5 years is available through a partnership with Nova Scotia Community College. For further information, contact: Akerley Child Care Centre – 902-491-1631; Leeds Street Child Care Centre – 902-491-4622; Mawio’mi Child Care Centre – 902-491-1330.

Email addresses:

[email protected]

[email protected]

[email protected]

After you are accepted into a program and have paid your admission deposit, you will be granted access to an online portal with information specific to your program and cohort.

You’ll find everything you need to know to get ready for class, including:

• Student Handbook
• Practicum Handbook
• Textbook information (including where to buy and how to save)
• Course Outlines
• Key dates
• Tuition Info
• And more