Unfortunately, at this point in time, this program is not available to international students. Please click the link to view all of our international students programs.
Our Early Learning and Childcare Program is delivered fully online.
This program provides you with the credentials to work in institutions or children's programs at the childhood level from birth to age twelve. The program focuses on key areas of childhood growth and development, diverse abilities, program strategies, building and sustaining strong rapport between children and their families, professionalism in the workplace as well as incorporating practical learning experiences.
One essential aspect of our online program is that students receive live instruction with instructor-led classes. There is a new course each month and open enrolment so that you can start at any time. The Program is delivered two nights a week from 6:30 - 9:00 P.M. (Monday and Tuesday)
Practicum may be arranged at a licensed childcare setting of your choice.
This program has high enrollment, and response times can take up to a week.
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
- High School Transcripts, including English Language Arts 30-1 at 55% or English Language Arts 30-2 at 60%
- Students who do not meet admission requirements can contact student services regarding opportunities for placement testing. * Students must submit an application to the program to start the process.
Other
- 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.
Use this chart to check Provincial high school equivalencies accepted at Portage College. Note: This is just a guide.
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.
Additional info
- Levels 1, 2, and 3 can not be used for admission into the program.
- Portage College Early Learning programs do not accept Private Post-Secondary transcripts for transferability into this program.
Program Start
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. You must apply, pay the application fee and meet the entrance requirements by the application deadline for the course you are applying to start on. The start dates and the application/entrance requirement deadlines for each course are as follows.
HUMAN DEVELOPMENT I – Start Date: September 18 2023, Application Deadline: August 18, 2023
WRITTEN COMMUNICATION – Start Date: August 21, 2023, Application Deadline: July 21, 2023
LEARNING THROUGH PLAY – Start Date: October 23, 2023, Application Deadline: September 23, 2023
ROLES & RESPONSIBLITIES FOR ELCC – Start Date: November 20, 2023, Application Deadline: October 20, 2023
INTERPERSONAL COMPETENCE – Start Date: January 2, 2024, Application Deadline: November 24, 2023
INFANTS AND TODDLERS – Start Date: January 29, 2024, Application Deadline: November 24, 2023
OBSERVING AND RECORDING SKILLS – Start Date: February 26, 2024, Application Deadline: January 26, 2024
DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES – Start Date: March 25, 2024, Application Deadline: February 25, 2024
GUIDING BEHAVIOUR – Start Date: April 29, 2024, Application Deadline: March 29, 2024
SCHOOL AGED CARE – Start Date: May 27, 2024, Application Deadline: April 27, 2024
Location
Online Delivery
Domestic Student Fees
Application Fee $53.50
2023-2024 yearly tuition and mandatory fees, if you complete all the credits required in the academic year, is:
| Tuition | $4,736.16 |
| Student Association | $302.35 |
| Technology Fee | $248.13 |
| Recreation Fee | $132.68 |
| Total | $5,419.32 |
Tuition is calculated using “cost-per-credit” one credit is $131.56. Calculate the cost by multiplying the number of credits per course by $131.56. Other mandatory fees are listed below by semester.
Other mandatory fees Fall semester
| Student Association | $116.70 |
| Technology Fee | $82.71 |
| Recreation Fee | $54.57 |
| Total | $253.98 |
Other mandatory fees Winter semester
| Student Association | $116.70 |
| Technology Fee | $82.71 |
| Recreation Fee | $54.57 |
| Total | $253.98 |
Other mandatory fees Spring semester
| Student Association | $68.95 |
| Technology Fee | $82.71 |
| Recreation Fee | $23.54 |
| Total | $175.20 |
Visit Portage Bookstore for textbooks and supplies
Tuition Deposit: $100 (non-refundable for oversubscribed programs)
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.
Early Learning and Child Care Certificate
We acknowledge that Portage College’s service region is on the traditional lands of First Nation Peoples, the owners of Treaty 6, 8 and 10, which are also homelands to the Métis people. We honour the history and culture of all people who first lived and gathered in these lands.