Oxford International

College Halifax
Learning Without Limits
Contents ›
›
Why Canada?

Discover Halifax

› Early Childhood Education (ECE) Program

› Tuition, scholarships and key dates

› Admissions requirements

› Visa application process

› Route to permanent residency

› Additional programs & services

 Great

Why Canada? employment

options
during and
after
graduation
Canada has a diverse multi-cultural population and is
home to people from more than 200 countries
Statistics Canada

One of the best countries to live in the world

Ranked by U.S. News and World’s Report 2023

96% of international students would recommend Canada

as a study destination
ICEF Monitor Survey

Over 800,00 international students studying in Canada

The Pie News, International Students in Canada 2022
 Known for its
One of the safest friendly and
countries in the inclusive society
world with low that values
crime rates CANADA diversity

Famous
Actively building landmarks,
immigration historical
opportunities wonders,
through delicious food
government and incredible
initiatives culture

Universal
healthcare
system ensures
everyone can
access, Exceptional
regardless of scenery, a great
income outdoor lifestyle
Halifax Warmer than you
think!
Nestled on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean, Nova Halifax is warmer in the
winter on average than
Scotia’s capital city is steeped in history and Ontario, Quebec,
Manitoba, and
Saskatchewan
surrounded by natural beauty.

Affordable housing,
A centre for artistic A global city and an
excellent healthcare, and
and cultural economic centre for
low crime rates
excellence Canada
Oxford International North America
Halifax Campus

Downtown location
Located near the waterfront and walking distance to the Maritime
Museum, Atlantic Ocean and Citadel National Historic site, and
various options for part-time work.

In-person education
Collaborative learning environment with your peers.

Pre-Sessional English available

For students who need additional support
before transitioning into the program.
Early Childhood Education (ECE)
Diploma Program
Make a positive, lasting impact on young children’s lives
Early Childhood Education (ECE)

A Career in High-Demand
In 2026
the Nova Scotia government will open
thousands of new childcare spaces as part of
the Nova Scotia Canada-Wide Early Learning
and Child Care Agreement. There will be a high
Childcare demand for ECE’s to fill these roles.
Expansion Plans

Very good job prospects in Nova Scotia for

the next 3 years (5/5 stars)
Early Childhood Educator Careers
The average salary for a qualified
Level 2 ECE is between $49,000 -
$51,000 CAD.

Common career paths after the Oxford

International Halifax ECE Program:
• Early Childhood Educator (ECE)
• Inclusion Coordinator
• Day-Home Consultant
• Assistant Director
• Director of ECE Programs

If you are a Permanent Resident or Canadian citizen,

you can also open your own licensed home daycare.
What to Expect as an ECE
Examples of Daily Tasks

• Promote children’s health and safety.

• Foster learning through storytelling, music, play, drama, and movement.
• Encourage children’s healthy eating, dressing, and toileting habits.
• Foster a sense of identify and belonging with children while developing
important social-emotional skills.

Work-Life Balance

• Work in shifts that vary between Monday to Friday 6am – 6pm.

• Evening and weekend work is less likely in licensed childcare.

Attributes of a Great ECE

• Listens attentively, acts ethically, and implements an anti-bias approach to

diversity and inclusion.
• Maintains patience and kindness for all children and their family members.
• Maintains a positive and professional attitude, is organized and communicates
well with children, their family members, and childcare centre staff.
Opportunities with the Early Childhood
Education Diploma Program

An Early Childhood Educator (ECE) is a field where you work directly with children and their families,

building important relationships at a formative time in children’s lives.

Nova Scotia has a The Canadian government ECE graduates from Oxford International
shortage of workers in created the International private career colleges Halifax works closely with
early childhood Graduates in Demand in Nova Scotia can various Nova Scotia
educator roles. (IGiD) program as an secure employment as government departments
opportunity for permanent an ECE and apply for a to fill the skilled-worker
residence. work permit. gaps in the province.
 ECE Program Details Scholarships
& Bursaries
Early Childhood Education Diploma
Available
*for eligible students

Delivery: Full-time, in person

Length: 50 weeks
Contact our admissions
Credential: Level 2 ECE classification
advisor to find out more
Intakes for 2024: August 26th, October 7th, December 2nd about available
scholarships and
Tuition and Fees in Halifax (CAD)
programs.
What to Expect from the ECE Program
We provide graduates with the valuable knowledge, hands-on skills, and experience they need to
succeed in this in-demand field.

You will receive a unique, blended training provided by ECE experts that combines technical and essential
skills, so you are career-ready.

We arrange work placements as part of our ECE program

through a variety of employment settings, such as early
childhood programs or play-based programs (hosted in
Nova Scotia elementary schools).

By graduation, you will be prepared and confident to step

into the world of early childhood education in Canada.
ECE Course All students must complete the following courses
before their level 2 classification:
Content

• Child Development from Conception to Age 12 • Community and Workplace Relationships

• Respectful and Responsive Relationships • Supporting Children’s Health, Safety, and Well-Being
• Diversity and Inclusion 1: Fundamentals of Early • Learning Through Play 2: Outdoor and Indoor Learning
Childhood Education in NS Environments
• Observing, Assessing, and Documenting • Responsive Infant and Toddler Care and Development
• Computer, Communication, and Employability Skills • Administration and Management of Early Learning
• Understanding and Engaging Families Programs
• Learning Through Play 1: Intentional Planning in Play • Becoming a Professional Early Childhood Educator in
• Guiding Children’s Behavior Nova Scotia
• Diversity and Inclusion 2: Supporting Multiple • Working with School Age Children
Developmental Pathways • Pedagogical Documentation of Children’s Learning
ECE Practicum
Placements
Practicums are unpaid placements completed in a group
licensed childcare facility under the supervision of a certified
ECE.

• We partner with daycares and pre-primary program

providers in Nova Scotia as part of the ECE program.

• Students will be mentored and supervised during their

work placement.

• Students may even be offered an ECE position before

they complete the program!
Your Journey
Weeks 1 to 8 ​

Weeks 8 to 13 Practicum 1 (observation) Observation,

interacting with children, getting comfortable.

Weeks 13 to 16

Weeks 16 to 25 Practicum 2 (observation) Observation, start implementing

activities, getting comfortable with play-based curriculum.

Weeks 25 to 33

Practicum 3: Working directly with ECEs and children, doing all tasks
Weeks 33 to 38 of the classroom.

Weeks 38 - 45

Practicum 4: Become a fully-integrated team member in the classroom,

Weeks 45 - 50 demonstrate skills & abilities that align with the expectations of a qualified ECE.

Graduation
Additional Certificates Earned
During the Program
In addition to your Level 2 Early Childhood Education Diploma, you will also earn 4 mandatory
certifications that will not only better prepare you to safely work with young children, but will
also enhance your resume:
• Standard First Aid (Level C CPR & AED)
• Occupational Health and Safety (OHS)
• Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHIMIS)
• Food Safety

There are also two additional certifications that you will earn, not included in other NS ECE
diploma programs that will increase employability:
• Circle of Security Parenting (COSP) to learn how to follow cues of children, helping build
secure attachments and positive relationships.
• The Pyramid Model Consortium – Trauma-Informed Care to learn how to understand a
child’s lived and family experiences in order to provide the most effective care.
Qualifications
At the completion of the course students will earn either of the following:
• Level 2 ECE classification
• Level 3 ECE classification (if they have a recognized Bachelors Degree)
NS ECE Classification Level Requirement Salary Range Employment Opportunities
Level 2 Diploma in Early Childhood from an $25/hour - Starting -Early Childhood Educator in licensed
approved college $26/hour - After 1 year work experience childcare
in NS ECE -Support ECE in NS Pre-Primary
$28/hour -After 5-year work Program
experience in NS ECE -Assistant Director
-Director
$28/hour - Starting wage of Assistant
Director
$30/hour Starting wage of Director
Level 3 Diploma in Early Childhood from an $26/hour - Starting -Early Childhood Educator in licensed
approved college $27/hour - After 1 year work experience childcare
AND in NS ECE -LEAD ECE in NS Pre-Primary Program
A bachelor's degree (equivalent to a $29.50/hour -After 5-year work - Inclusion Coordinator
Canadian Bachelors)* experience in NS ECE -Assistant Director
*International bachelors must be -Director
assessed by WES and valid within 12 $29/hour - Starting wage of Assistant -Day Home Consultant
months. (This is needed to apply for Director
classification level and not admission) $31/hour Starting wage of Director

Note: Pre-Primary is on its own contract and has different salaries from the wage scale information provided (Contract
under union CUPE 5047)
BONUS Memberships
As a special bonus, you will receive a membership to the Association of Early
Childhood Educators (AECENS), which is something only the Oxford International
Early Childhood Education Diploma program provides. The following are included
as part of your membership:

• Access to professional development and networking opportunities.

• Attend key Early Childhood Education conferences at a discounted rate.

Your tuition also includes a membership to a Lending Library so you can access
various resources for your practicums without spending your money, such as:
• Materials
• Toys
• Books
ECE Assessments
Unique to other programs, there is no final provincial examination taken.
Students will complete a range of assessments to check their knowledge.
• Tests
• Writing research and reflection papers
• Case studies
• Individual presentations and assignments
• Group presentations and assignments
Career Support at
Oxford International
Career Colleges
Oxford International College Halifax assists
students with their transition and helps them
thrive in their careers.

100% job placement support

Career advisors work closely with students to
help secure a job placement.

Robust career opportunities

A strong economy and job market in early
childhood education.

100% job offer success rate for CCA graduates

*current as of May 2024.
 Admission 6

Process
5

4 Apply for your

Visas
3 Receive letter
of admission Apply for your Study and
Pay initial deposit
2 and PAL Co-op work permits and
of net tuition and
follow immigration
send your
1 Pay application fee
Receive your letter of lawyer advice. If you are
documents for admission and successful, you can
and attend admissions review
Receive Provincial Attestation begin your program!
program interview We will review your
conditional offer Letter needed to
documents to ensure
Make online letter Pay your $1000 apply for your Visas.
you have everything
application The conditional offer
application fee so that
required to apply for your
you can book and
letter shows all visa.
We will review your attend your program
application. conditions you need to
interview.
meet to enroll.
 Admission Requirements
1 2 3 4 5

International Grade 12 Capable of 2 references that document Meet minimum English Clear Child Abuse Registry

transcript OR performing all job 25 hours of experience language proficiency Check, Canada-wide

completion of high school requirements working with children (paid requirements for the Criminal Record Check /

education in an English- (physical and other) or unpaid positions). program, equivalent to Police Clearance Certificate,

speaking school. covered in ECE These references also need Academic IELTS of 6.0 all and Vulnerable Sector

interview. to detail your emotional bands. Check.

maturity and suitability for These must be verified prior

the ECE field. to Visa application.

Applicants from a Recognized Canadian Bachelor's Degree in any subject are eligible to apply with their WES (World
Education Services) evaluation and Level 2 ECE Diploma to receive a Level 3 ECE qualification.
 Language We will only accept the below Language Requirements | Test scores
cannot be older than 2 years.

Requirements • Academic IELTS 6.0 (no band below 6.0)

• Oxford ELLT level 6 overall (no band below 6)
• The Canadian Language Benchmarks Placement Test (CLBPT) 8
• TOEFL IBT 78
• PTE minimum score of 55 (no band below 50)
• Halifax’s in-person UCP Level 400
If your home country is not on the list below, you will require a language

test or program.

English Proficiency Exam Exception List:

Applicants who can demonstrate 2 years of full-time academic study in the following countries where the language of
instruction was English are exempt from supplying an English proficiency exam for admission into OICH’s ECE program:

Antigua, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, Botswana, Canada, England, Gambia, Ghana, Grand Cayman Islands,
Grenada, Ireland, Jamaica, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Malawi, New Zealand, Nigeria, Northern Marianas, Palau, Papua New Guinea,
The Philippines, Scotland, Sierra Leone, South Africa, St Kitts, St Lucia, St Vincent & Grenadines, Swaziland, Tanzania, Trinidad and
Tobago, Uganda, United Kingdom, United States, Virgin Islands, Wales, Zambia, Zimbabwe.
Visas and Permits Required

Study Permit & Visitor Visa / eTA Co-op Work Permit:

As an international student studying for longer The co-op work permit MUST be applied
than 6 months, you will need a permit to study for at the same time as the study permit as
in Canada. Your study permit is not a visa - you it is required for the work placement
also need a visitor visa or an electronic travel portion of the program. Failure to obtain a
authorization (eTA) to enter Canada. co-op work permit PRIOR to the
NOTE: The eTA or visitor visa will be issued at commencement of studies will result in an
the same time as your study permit. automatic deferral to a future intake.
Your Route to Permanent Residency
Career Academy Canada
Kickstart your Canadian career with Oxford International’s Career
Academy – where learning without limits meets job readiness.

1. Career Readiness Skills

We aim to help students develop a wide range of skills to not only secure that first
interview, but also land that job through activities like Career Club, in-person and
virtual skills workshops, and counselling sessions with Career Advisors.

2. Employer & Industry Networks

We connect you with professionals in your field of interest to help you get guidance
on your career journey through industry networking events, guest speaker webinars,
and the Oxford International alumni network.

3. Professional & Career Development Tools

We give you access to bite-sized tips and best practices, helping you stay up-to-
date on the latest resources and events through our Career Buddy blog and email
newsletters.
Important Details for Families
Keep your loved ones close – bring your family to Canada to experience the country and culture.

The family will need a visa

• Tourist visa recommended.

Funding is required to support their stay

• $ 20,635 for students.
• + $ 5,690 for 1 additional family member.
• + $ 10, 948 for 2 additional family members.
Visit the IRCC website for details on 3 or more
additional family members (spouses and dependents).

Free healthcare and education

• Free public healthcare for everyone.
• Free public schooling for primary-age children.
 Homestay
• Managed by OICH.
• Stay with a local hosting family.
• Full room and board for $1124/month.

Furnished Apartment
• Global providers such as Aibnb or Kijiji.

Accommodation Rental Companies

Options in Halifax • Local providers such as Killam Apartment REIT, MetCap Living,
Southwest Properties, Westwood Developments, Universal Realty
Group, Northpoint Properties, or Templeton Properties.

Serviced Apartments
• Local providers such as Premier Suites Halifax.

Hotels
• Recommended as short-term while finding longer-term option.
Visa & Immigration Support with
Encubate
Expert visa and permit application support, along with complimentary immigration guidance,
with a team of Regulated Immigration Consultants (RCICs).

Complimentary services include:

• Online workshops discussing visas, study permits,
co-op work permits, immigration, and permanent
residence.
• Consultants, case assessments, and application
support for changing status from visitor to student.

*Eligibility conditions apply