As an early learning and child care professional, you play an important role in the care, learning and development of children. In the Early Learning and Child Care (ELCC) Diploma program, you will learn to work withnewborns to twelve-year-old children in early learning environments and programs.As a graduates of the ELCC diploma, you will transition from supporting children to also supporting their families in their communities. By nurturing each child’s agency and potential within their diverse lived experiences, you can make an impact outside the learning environment.You'll be challenged to recognize your own positionality and practice anti-bias, anti-oppressive approaches that intentionally honour and celebrate each child’s context, family, community, culture, and society.Delivery OptionsThe ELCC diploma program can be completedin several different ways. Attend full- or part-time on Red Deer Polytechnic's main campus or through alternate delivery usingonline courses. This multi-delivery approach is especially useful for workingstudents who are balancing work and home commitments with their education goals.On-CampusStudents in the on-campus delivery option benefit from being on the RDP campus and interacting with their peers.As an ELCC student, you will engage in a variety of learning activities such as cooperative learning, flipped classrooms, readings, assignments, discussions, and reflection exercises that provide opportunities to collaborate, and develop both curiosity and critical thinking skills. Practicum placements are in the Red Deer region.OnlineStudents in the alternative delivery program benefit from the flexibility of completing coursework asynchronously, with scheduled evening synchronous online sessions with their instructor and peers. This delivery mode is intended for students who may be working and unable to attend courses on the RDP campus. International students are expected to enrol in the on-campus delivery to ensure they are following study permit requirements.