Early Childhood Education
Program Office: 403.320.3393 • humanservices@lethbridgecollege.ca
Become an essential part of a child’s early years, where learning through play is vital to development, in our Early Childhood Education (ECE) programs. Offering both a one-year certificate and two-year diploma, our ECE programs are approved for licensing in most provinces and territories, and they have been designed for flexibility. The one-year certificate is offered on our main campus as well as fully online. Year 2 of the Diploma is offered through online learning.
Through a blend of theory and practical application, we’ll prepare you with the knowledge, experience and perspective you need to work with young children at any stage of development. When it comes to hands-on experience, your practicum can be arranged near you. Develop a career fit for your nurturing personality and love of children in our ECE programs.
Your Investment
Program fees will vary. To view fee information for your program, go to lethbridgecollege.ca/programs and select your program.
Graduation
Upon successful completion of Year 1 requirements, students are awarded an Early Childhood Education certificate.
Upon successful completion of Year 2 requirements, students are awarded an Early Childhood Education diploma.
New applicants are accepted in the Early Childhood Education certificate program for on-campus delivery for the Fall (September) term. Students wishing to enroll for the on-campus delivery in the Winter (January) term will take courses in a revised curriculum based on course availability. This admission will result in a three term curriculum for the on-campus completion of the certificate. Courses are also open on an individual basis for part-time study.
Upon successful completion of your Early Childhood Education certificate program, you will be eligible for admission to the Early Childhood Education diploma. In order to be considered for the diploma program, we recommend that you submit a Change of Program to the Admissions Office in your last term of study of the certificate program. If you have any questions about this process, please contact the Admissions Office.
Students completing the certificate or diploma program through online study are accepted for terms beginning Fall (September), Winter (January) or Spring (May). Students choosing this route must contact the ECE program to plan their program.
General Admissions Requirements
All applicants must meet the general admission requirements for Lethbridge College programs, as indicated in the Admission section of this calendar.
Applicants are required to have successfully completed a one-year Early Childhood Education certificate or equivalent from a recognized college, in order to enter the Early Childhood Education diploma program. Transfer students with related credentials will be accepted into the program after being assessed on an individual basis to determine whether they are required to take bridging courses to meet diploma outcomes.
Certificate
(available on the Main campus or online)
Course | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
Year 1 | ||
Term I | ||
ECE-1155 | Introduction to Early Childhood Education | 3 |
ECE-1156 | Development Through Play | 3 |
ECE-1184 | Practicum I | 3 |
ENG-1150 | Composition | 3 |
PSY-1171 | Child Growth and Development | 3 |
Credits | 15 | |
Term II | ||
ECE-1151 | Health, Safety and Nutrition | 3 |
ECE-1154 | Guiding Children's Behavior | 3 |
ECE-1168 | Children's Outdoor Play | 3 |
ECE-1186 | Practicum II | 6 |
PSY-1191 | The Developing Brain | 3 |
Credits | 18 | |
Total Credits | 33 |
Diploma
(Available Online Learning Only)
Course | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
Year 2 | ||
ECE-2250 | Pedagogical Documentation | 3 |
ECE-2254 | Child, Family and Community | 3 |
ECE-2255 | School-Aged Programming | 3 |
ECE-2256 | Pedagogical Leadership | 3 |
ECE-2260 | Infant and Toddler Programming | 3 |
ECE-2262 | Creative Experiences II | 3 |
ECE-2263 | Creative Experiences III | 3 |
ECE-2264 | Pre-School Programming | 3 |
ECE-2280 | Practicum III | 3 |
ECE-2281 | Practicum IV | 3 |
Credits | 30 | |
Total Credits | 30 |
Prior Learning Assessment
If you have experience working in this field of study, you may be eligible for Prior Learning Assessment (PLA). Please direct your inquiries to the ECE program.
Students in the online certificate or diploma program are strongly encouraged to contact the Early Childhood Education Practicum Coordinator upon their admission to the program to inquire about the process for setting up practicum placements. This process can take 2-3 months and there are deadlines that must be adhered to. All students are held to the same deadlines and requirements and failure to meet those deadlines and/or requirements may result in a delay in being able to complete a practicum placement.
Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) Pre-Placement Requirements
This program has a required Work-Integrated Learning Pre-Placement Requirements (WIL) component. The College dictates the legal terms and conditions governing the WIL.
Students must meet and maintain certain requirements to participate in the WIL setting as determined by programs, practice agencies and/or legislated by government bodies. These may include health (e.g. immunizations, screening tests, etc.), privacy and security (e.g. police information check, IT access, etc.), and OH&S requirements (e.g. CPR certification, Fire Safety, WHMIS, Mask Fit-testing, etc.).
Workers' Compensation Board (WCB) coverage - WIL placement agencies and employers usually require WCB coverage on behalf of the student. Students enrolled in post-secondary institutions in Alberta are deemed to be employees of the Province of Alberta and, as such, provided WCB coverage. In certain instances for students outside of Alberta, WCB coverage may not be provided (e.g. non-Alberta residents taking a course solely through distance learning with a WIL placement outside of Alberta). These students are advised to contact the program prior to application.
Students with disabilities who may require accommodations must schedule an appointment with Accessibility Services at Lethbridge College preferably upon acceptance to the program and no later than the Add/Drop deadline to identify potential impacts of their disabilities in the WIL setting. As part of this process, it may be necessary to collaborate with WIL supervisors to determine appropriate accommodations that do not compromise the health and safety of clients, essential placement requirements, or mandatory licensing processes. Failure to consult with Accessibility Services in a timely fashion may compromise the student's WIL placement and opportunities for success in the WIL setting.
In order to participate in a WIL, a student may be required to complete a Police Information Check or other type of Security Clearance to the satisfaction of Lethbridge College and the WIL organization. Completion of a WIL does not guarantee employment with a WIL organization. Many disciplines are provincially or otherwise regulated (e.g. health professions under Alberta's Health Professions Act); such regulation is beyond Lethbridge College's control. Completion of a WIL and graduation from a certain program do not guarantee one's licensure or admission into a regulatory body. Prospective students are encouraged to consult with a representative of the relevant regulatory body if they have concerns.
WIL sites may include Lethbridge, surrounding rural communities, and may extend beyond these boundaries depending on WIL site availability and approvals. WIL’s may include day, evening, and/or weekend schedules. Students will be expected to travel to assigned sites and will be responsible for arranging travel and any associated costs.
Athabasca University
Graduates of Lethbridge College's Early Childhood Education diploma program may receive up to two years' credit towards Athabasca University’s Bachelor of Professional Arts - Human Services major.
Bow Valley College
Lethbridge College's Early Childhood Education certificate graduates with a minimum mark of 64% and completion of additional courses (INS 1155, SOC 2270, and COM 1159 or COM 1162) are eligible to block transfer up to 37 credits towards the Early Childhood Education and Development diploma at Bow Valley College.
Lakeland College
Graduates of Lethbridge College's Early Childhood Education certificate program (one year) with a GPA of 2.0 or higher are eligible for admission directly into the second year of Lakeland College’s Early Learning and Child Care diploma program.
Medicine Hat College
Graduates of Lethbridge College's Early Childhood Education certificate program (one year) are eligible for admission into the second year of Medicine Hat College’s Early Learning and Child Care diploma program.
University of Alberta
Lethbridge College's Early Childhood Education diploma graduates are eligible to block transfer up to 30 credits towards the Bachelor of Education (Elementary) program at the University of Alberta, provided all necessary diploma courses are completed.
When you graduate from either ECE program, your in-demand skills will open up opportunities in:
- Before and After School Programs
- Child Care Centres
- Day Homes
- Early Learning Programs
- Family Group Care Programs
- Kindergartens
- Out-of-school Care Programs
- Parenting Centres
- Preschool Programs
- Recreational Facilities