Career Potential

Graduates of the Early Learning and Child Care Certificate Program qualify for Level 2 Early Childhood Educator Certification through Child Care Staff Certification, Government of Alberta, Children and Youth Services.

Students who obtain 45 hours in an Early Childhood course can apply for Level 1 Early Childhood Educator Certification from the Government of Alberta, Children and Youth Services.

Credentials

Certificate

Admission Requirements

• Grade 12 or equivalent including;
• English 30-1 or 30-2 (30 or 33)
• A score of 12.9 on Nelson Denny Test (if less than 60% in English 30/33 or English 30-1 or 30-2)
• High school transcript
• Criminal Record Check, Child Youth Information System Document (formally CWIS) Alberta Child and Youth Services
• Please refer to the following link for minimum technical requirements on our Moodle page

Transferability

Transferable to the 2nd year Portage College Early Learning and Child Care Diploma Program. Some courses are transferable to the Portage College Educational Assistant Program. Transferability to other provincial colleges is available. 30 credit block transfer to the Athabasca University BPA program.

Program Start/End Dates 
Application is on a continuous basis. Registration is monthly; you can enroll at any point in the academic year if you have the program prerequisites and the course prerequisites.

Location
Online Delivery

Domestic Student Fees
Application Fee $53.50

Tuition is calculated using “cost-per-credit” one credit is $116. Calculate the cost by multiplying the number of credits per course by $116.

Other mandatory fees Fall semester

Other mandatory fees Winter semester

Other mandatory fees Spring semester

Visit  Portage Bookstore for textbooks and supplies

International Student Fees
Application Fee $160.00

Tuition is calculated using “cost-per-credit” one credit is $348. Calculate the cost by multiplying the number of credits per course by $348.

Other mandatory fees Fall semester

Other mandatory fees Winter semester

Other mandatory fees Spring semester

Visit  Portage Bookstore for textbooks and supplies

Tuition Deposit (non-refundable for oversubscribed programs and international only)

Domestic Students - $100
International Students - $500

Need help funding your education? Check out our  funding options.

Other purchases may be necessary in order for students to complete their courses/program.

students will need regular access to a computer with a webcam and an internet connection. High speed broadband access is highly recommended for the optimal learning experience.

For technical requirements, visit our Moodle page.

Click here to view Other Fees for Service

• HUMAN DEVELOPMENT I

  Course ID: ECDE100

  Name: HUMAN DEVELOPMENT I

  Hours: 45

  Credits: 3

  In this course the learner will explore the major theories of human development and will focus specifically on birth to age twelve. Areas of study will include physical, cognitive, emotional and social development.

• WRITTEN COMMUNICATION

  Course ID: ENGL100

  Name: WRITTEN COMMUNICATION

  Hours: 45

  Credits: 3

  English 100 emphasizes fundamental English writing skills: grammar, sentence structure, spelling, punctuation, and additional mechanics. The Course provides instruction in conducting research, documenting sources of information, avoiding any suspicion of plagiarism, and creating a basic outline to structure and organize ideas in a five paragraph essay. Students will submit all tests and assignments to Moodle for evaluation.

• LEARNING THROUGH PLAY

  Course ID: ELCC114

  Name: LEARNING THROUGH PLAY

  Hours: 45

  Credits: 3

  Identify how the goals, philosophy and curriculum of play based learning experiences support children’s developmental growth. Learnings will understand the importance of their role in the development of an environment that is child-centered, culturally and developmentally appropriate.

• PRACTICUM I/INTEGRATION SEMINAR

  Course ID: ELCC103

  Name: PRACTICUM I/INTEGRATION SEMINAR

  Hours: 140

  Credits: 2

  This field practicum consists of full-time supervised placements with appropriately qualified staff for four weeks. Students are placed in daycares, kindergartens, Head Start programs, preschool programs and other school classrooms. During the practicum, time is designated for integration seminar activity. Students are expected to integrate course theory in and with field placement experiences.

• ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES FOR ELCC

  Course ID: ELCC122

  Name: ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES FOR ELCC

  Hours: 45

  Credits: 3

  This course provides students with the knowledge required to work professionally and effectively in ELCC environments. Students become knowledgeable about professional ethics, program operational matters, codes of conduct, job descriptions, and role clarifications. Policies on early childhood from the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) and Alberta Child and Youth Services are also covered.

• INTERPERSONAL COMPETENCE

  Course ID: RSER103

  Name: INTERPERSONAL COMPETENCE

  Hours: 45

  Credits: 3

  Interpersonal Communications skills are such a vital part of human services. This course provides learners with an opportunity to gain a greater understanding of the basic communication concepts and skills, to examine their everyday communication behaviors and to apply their new knowledge and self-awareness to their own experience. The main goal of this experience is to help learners expand their repertoire of skills for communicating more effectively.

• INFANTS & TODDLERS

  Course ID: ELCC107

  Name: INFANTS & TODDLERS

  Hours: 45

  Credits: 3

  ELCC 107 will prepare the student to develop the skills necessary to provide infants and toddlers (age 0-36 months) with the highest quality care and programming possible in home based and group environments. Knowledge of appropriate techniques and developmentally appropriate learning activities is based on current child development research and the standardized child development goals and objectives.

• OBSERVING & RECORDING SKILLS & APPLICATIONS

  Course ID: ELCC132

  Name: OBSERVING & RECORDING SKILLS & APPLICATIONS

  Hours: 45

  Credits: 3

  This course will focus on basic observation and recording skills used for observing children. Subsequent intervention strategies to work with children following the observation will be explored.

• DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES

  Course ID: RSER101

  Name: DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES

  Hours: 45

  Credits: 3

  This is an introductory course to disability studies and provides students with an opportunity to explore the lives of persons with disabilities including families, special needs, diverse characteristics, and life styles.

• PRACTICUM II/INTEGRATION SEMINAR

  Course ID: ELCC133

  Name: PRACTICUM II/INTEGRATION SEMINAR

  Hours: 280

  Credits: 4

  Practicum provides students with the opportunity to apply and enhance their skills and knowledge in relation to working with children in a variety of childcare and school settings.

• GUIDING BEHAVIOUR

  Course ID: ECDE111

  Name: GUIDING BEHAVIOUR

  Hours: 45

  Credits: 3

  Learners will gain an understanding of the skills required for effective intervention techniques designed to positively and appropriately guide the socio-cultural appropriate behavior of preschool and school age children, thereby, nurturing a safe and healthy environment for children and staff.

• SCHOOL AGED CARE

  Course ID: ELCC130

  Name: SCHOOL AGED CARE

  Hours: 45

  Credits: 3

  This course provides the student with knowledge related to program development and implementation. Content covers: safety supervision, behavior management, developmentally and culturally appropriate programming, and the overall role of an effective worker in an out-of-school environment with school age children.