Early Childhood Education Internship Certificate
Program Office: 403.320.3393 • humanservices@lethbridgecollege.ca
Nurture the Future
Our Early Childhood Education internship program is designed for students already working in the sector. You can keep working at your job during the day, then take courses in late afternoon in-person or online toward completion of your ECE certificate and Level 2 educator status and pay.
The program provides flexible learning to work around your needs. You can join a cohort on campus or learn synchronously online. Either way, you’ll be learning with other early childhood education professionals. What you learn in class can be immediately applied at your workplace. You and your employer can access financial support for your professional development.
Flexible Learning to Meet Your Needs
Our ECE Internship, which is delivered in a highly flexible format, is intended for students who already work in the field. They can work during the day to maintain their income stream and attend courses either in the early evening in-person on Lethbridge College’s campus or synchronously online. Either way, students will become part of a cohort of early childhood education professionals who learn together. That collegiality is important as students learn theory and share their practical experiences together.
Some courses are also offered asynchronously online, which means the student works through them when it fits into their schedule, while still meeting assignment deadlines.
Starting in January and spread over three terms, students will learn research-based practices and immediately be able to apply theory in their workplaces. At the end of the program, students will earn a college certificate as well as Level 2 educator status and pay.
Your Investment
Program fees will vary. To view fee information, click here and select your program.
As employees in early learning and child-care settings, students and their employers can apply for financial support:
- The Canada-Alberta Job Grant. The employer can apply to access two-thirds of the cost of tuition, textbooks and fees, up to $10,000 per trainee per fiscal year.
- Child Care Professional - Professional Development Funding. The employee/student can apply for up to $1,500 a year that can go toward their tuition. The employer can apply for a paid release time grant to help fill the hours when the employee is in class.
Graduation
Upon successful completion of requirements, students are awarded an Early Childhood Education Internship certificate.
New applicants are accepted in the Early Childhood Education Internship certificate program for on-campus delivery for the Winter (January) term.
Upon successful completion of your Early Childhood Education Internship 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.
General Admissions Requirements
All applicants must meet the general admission requirements for Lethbridge College programs, as indicated in the Admission section of this calendar.
Non-Academic Requirements
Students must be currently employed in the field in a licensed or regulated child care environment for a minimum of 3 months and working at least 21 hours per week with a consistent group of children.
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | ||
| Term I | ||
| ECE-1155 | Introduction to Early Childhood Education | 3 |
| ECE-1156 | Development Through Play | 3 |
| ECE-1185 | Practicum I (Internship) | 3 |
| PSY-1171 | Child Growth and Development | 3 |
| Credits | 12 | |
| Term II | ||
| ECE-1151 | Health, Safety and Nutrition | 3 |
| ECE-1154 | Guiding Children's Behavior | 3 |
| ENG-1150 | Composition | 3 |
| Credits | 9 | |
| Term III | ||
| ECE-1168 | Children's Outdoor Play | 3 |
| ECE-1187 | Practicum II (Internship) | 6 |
| PSY-1191 | The Developing Brain | 3 |
| Credits | 12 | |
| Total Credits | 33 | |
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.
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.
Bow Valley College
Graduates of Lethbridge College's Early Childhood Education Internship certificate, with a minimum mark of 64%, are eligible to receive up to 40 credits towards the Early Childhood Education and Development diploma at Bow Valley College. Students should consult Academic Advising at Bow Valley College for more information.
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