10 Free ECE Courses 2025

Are you considering a career as a childcare provider but feel discouraged by the cost of earning a bachelor's in early childhood education? Thankfully, many free online training courses about child care and learning environments are available to help determine whether this field is for you.

Free online early childhood education programs can help you decide whether to become a childcare professional, such as a special education or preschool teacher. Although these courses are free, they offer high-quality education and opportunities for professional development.

The Best Free Early Childhood Education Courses

These early childhood education (ECE) courses do not provide an official credential, such as a certification, but they offer learners information about child growth and early learning concepts. Enrollment in these courses is free. However, the certifications must be purchased.

Below are free ECE courses offered by accredited institutions through various online educational platforms. Choose the courses that align with your desired career and start learning today.

1. The State University of New York (SUNY) � Introduction to Early Childhood

The State University of New York (SUNY) offers an Introduction to Early Childhood course through Coursera. This free course is part of SUNY's Home-Based Child Care specialization. It takes about 10 hours to complete and is at your own pace.

This course is for people with no experience in early childhood education. Modules in this course include:

• Foundations for Early Childhood
• Family Engagement
• Observation and Assessment for Children

2. Utrecht University � Understanding Child Development

Utrecht University provides an Understanding Child Development: From Synapyse to Society course through Coursera. This flexible free course takes 28 hours to complete and has an optional shareable certificate for purchase.

This course has 14 quizzes and six modules about child development and communication. Students should expect to take modules such as:

• Cognitive Development
• Introduction to Dynamics of Youth
• Brain and Motor Development
• Social-Emotional Development

3. University at Buffalo � ADHD: Everyday Strategies for Elementary Students

The University at Buffalo has an ADHD: Everyday Strategies for Elementary Students course for beginners through the Coursera educational learning platform. The course is self-paced and takes eight hours of study to finish.

Aspiring early childhood professionals would benefit from taking this course to understand the challenges faced by children with ADHD. Modules here include:

• What Is ADHD?
• Methods of Assessment for Screening
• School-Based Treatment Approaches and the Daily Report Card
• Parenting Strategies

4. Peking University � Health Care and Promotion for Infants and Toddlers

Peking University partnered with Coursera to provide the Health Care and Promotion for Infants and Toddlers course. This intermediate course is recommended for students with some experience in early childhood education and takes 16 hours to complete.

The main themes of this course are newborn and infant care, illness prevention, and promotion of growth. Modules in this course include:

• Neonatal Health Care
• Infant Health Care
• Childhood Vaccination
• Prevention and Treatment of Common Infectious Diseases in Childhood

5. Harvard University � Introduction to Family Engagement in Education

Harvard University offers an Introduction to Family Engagement in Education course through its HarvardX platform with edX. This free program is self-paced and has an optional upgrade available for purchase.

Students should complete this course within six weeks with two to four hours of weekly study. The main topic of this course is the connection between family engagement and student outcomes.

6. University of Cape Town � Disability Inclusion in Education

The University of Cape Town has a Disability Inclusion in Education: Building Systems of Support course through Coursera. The course takes about 14 hours of study to finish, and no prior experience is required to enroll.

This course helps students to identify support structures for teachers and how to integrate disability inclusion principles into their classrooms. Modules here include:

• Supporting Disability Inclusion
• Systemic Support for Educators
• Inclusive Teaching
• Principles and Approaches for Disability Inclusion

7. University of London � ICT in Primary Education

The University of London and Coursera provide the ICT (Information and Communication Technology) in Primary Education: Transforming Children's Learning Across the Curriculum course. The course takes 21 hours and has a shareable certificate for purchase.

Students who want to learn about the significance of ICT in early childhood learning should attend this course. Some of the modules in this program are:

• Technology Opportunities
• Pedagogical Changes Achievable Through ICT
• Inspiring Examples and Implementation
• Making ICT Work

8. The Open University � Young Children, The Outdoors, and Nature

The Open University offers a Young Children, The Outdoors, and Nature course through its OpenLearn educational platform. This intermediate course takes 24 hours of study and has eight sessions.

The focus is the connection between time spent outdoors and child development. Some of the sessions in this course include:

• The Missing Babies
• Challenges, Risks, and Opportunities
• Being Outdoors or Being in Nature
• Growing Up Green

9. The Open University � Children's Perspectives on Play

Another course offered by the Open University through its OpenLearn platform is called Children's Perspectives on Play. This introductory course takes five hours, so it's great for those looking for a quick free course.

Students can learn why play is important for children and how it helps them communicate. Topics in this course include:

• Developmental Perspectives
• Sociocultural Perspectives
• Music and Play
• Home Education and Learning

10. The Open University � Listening to Young Children

The Open University provides the Listening to Young Children: Supporting Transition course through OpenLearn. This program is good for people with some experience in early childhood education.

Students will learn complex concepts about the impact of young children's development when transitioning between several environments. Topics here include:

• Supporting Unique Transitions
• Listening to Multiple Perspectives
• Listening for Discontinuity
• Identities Across Boundaries

FAQs About Free Early Childhood Education Courses

Here are some frequently asked questions about free early childhood education courses.

What Topics Are Typically Covered in Early Childhood Education Courses?

Early childhood education courses cover various topics on child development and effective teaching practices. Some of these topics include:

• curriculum development
• diversity and inclusion
• family and community engagement

Aspiring educators must deeply understand early childhood development and the best learning techniques. It is also significant to know about working with children with special needs and disabilities.

How Can I Find Accredited Free Early Childhood Education Courses Online?

Educational platforms like Coursera, edX, and FutureLearn offer many free online courses from accredited universities. Navigate to these websites and search for early childhood education courses. Also, check that the universities provide these courses by visiting their official websites.

How Can I Get a Free Certification in Early Childhood Education?

Accredited institutions do not offer free certifications in early childhood education. However, you can receive certifications at a low cost with financial aid and special deals. Many educational platforms and community colleges offer cost-effective certifications for future early learning professionals.

Earn Your Degree Today

After completing a free early childhood education course, consider earning a degree to jumpstart your career. An early childhood education degree will reinforce the topics learned in a free course and teach more essential skills. Contact one of the accredited institutions on Learn.org for more information.