I got my ECE back in 1988 well before doing home childcare

Depends which province you are located in and the criteria for their ECE program whether it can be completed solely online or distance education?

I know here in Ontario you can do much of it online, distance Ed or part time in evenings however there are placement requirements to get your actual diploma that could be potentially challenging if you are self employed - you would have to do 4 six week placements in centres during the work day hours centres are open so would have to take time off work to complete that here