International Student Apply
International students, once you have chosen your program and checked the admission requirements you are now ready to apply for admission.
Our Early Learning and Childcare Certificate program is delivered in two separate formats. Our online format has five start dates and is available to domestic students. There are 10 theory courses and two practicums to complete. Please note that each start date contains different units within the academic year.
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.
Online offering
The online offering is open to domestic students only.
Our online program students receive live instruction with instructor-led classes. The online program is delivered two nights a week from 6:30 - 9:00 P.M. (Monday and Tuesday).
Face-to-face cohort
The face-to-face cohort is open to both domestic and international students. For the face-to-face cohort open to both domestic and international students, classes are offered from 5:00-9:00 P.M. Monday to Thursday.
Practicums 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.
This program is available to International Students through the face-to-face cohort only.. Our Designated Learning Institute (DLI) number is O111010246767.
Please Note: This program is eligible for post-graduate work permit (PGWP).
International Student Study Permit
Your study permit is the document that allows you to stay in Canada and study. It is different from a student visa, which is the document that allows you to enter Canada.
International Information Request
Our international student representatives are happy to answer your questions about programs, services and any immigration related questions that you may have. Please use the form link provided.
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%
- For students who attended high school/post-secondary outside of Canada, please review the Academic Credentials Requirements by Country. A demonstration of English Language Proficiency is required.
- 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
- Police Information Check (PIC) with at Vulnerable Sector Search (VSS) is required prior to practicum placements. PIC must valid within one year of practicum start date.
- Practicum students must have completed ECDE100 Human Development to be eligible for practicum placement.
- 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/End Date:
Fall Term: August 28, 2025 - December 12, 2025
Application Deadline
Domestic: August 15, 2025
Online Program
Application is on a continuous basis. There are five intakes available for registration; 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.
First Start Date: August 18, 2025 (Written Communication, Human Development). Applications open.
Second Start Date: October 20, 2025 (Learning Through Play, Practicum Integration Seminar, Roles and Responsibilities for ELCC). Applications open
Third Start Date: January 5, 2026 (Interpersonal Competence, Infants and Toddlers). Applications open
Fourth Start Date: March 9, 2026 (Observing and Recording Skills, Development and Inclusive Studies I). Applications open.
Fifth Start Date: May 4, 2026 (Guiding Behaviour, School Age Care). Applications open.
All new students will begin their respective start dates with Written Communication.
Location
Online Delivery
Domestic Student Fees
Application Fee $53.50
2025-2026 yearly tuition and mandatory fees, if you complete all the credits required in the academic year, is:
| Tuition | $4,927.45 |
| Student Association | $302.35 |
| Dental Insurance Fee | $163.25 |
| Health Insurance Fee | $163.25 |
| Technology Fee | $248.13 |
| Recreation Fee | $132.68 |
| Total | $5,937.11 |
Tuition is calculated using “cost-per-credit” one credit is $136.87. Calculate the cost by multiplying the number of credits per course by $136.87. Other mandatory fees are listed below by semester.
Other mandatory fees Fall semester
| Student Association | $116.70 |
| Dental Insurance Fee | 163.25 |
| Health Insurance Fee | 163.25 |
| Technology Fee | $82.71 |
| Recreation Fee | $54.57 |
| Total | $580.48 |
Other mandatory fees Winter semester
| Student Association | $116.70 |
| Dental Insurance Fee | 163.25 |
| Health Insurance Fee | 107.75 |
| Technology Fee | $82.71 |
| Recreation Fee | $54.57 |
| Total | $524.98 |
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.
Textbook Rentals Rentals can be arranged through the Portage College Bookstore: By Phone: Toll free 1.866.623.5551 ext. 5647 or 780.623.5647 Visit Portage Bookstore for other supplies.
Fee Explanations
Students’ Association Fees
These fees are authorized by student referendum and the Board of Governors. They are collected by the College on behalf of the Students’ Association in accordance with the Post Secondary Learning Act.
Health & Dental Fees
You may opt-out of the Dental and Health Insurance plan if you provide proof of comparable coverage for an extended health and/or dental care benefits plan.
Any questions regarding SA Fees including the Health and Dental Insurance fees should be directed to the SA Office 780-623-5609.
Athletics & Recreation Fees
These fees are collected to provide recreation and leisure opportunities that promote students’ physical, social, and emotional well-being, whether online or through in person facilities. Check out your +region in the link, to see what is offered at your campus or online.
Technology Fee
This is a mandatory fee assessed to students enrolling in any credit course (except for apprenticeship programs) at Portage College. The fee supports the on-going maintenance and upgrades to administrative systems that support the entire College infrastructure.
As such, it is considered a “mandatory non-instructional fee” and, therefore, is subject to Alberta Advanced Education Public Post-Secondary Institutions’ Tuition Fees Regulations. Visa students are charged the same rate as Canadian residents for this fee.
International Student Fees
Application Fee $160.00
Tuition Deposit $5000.00 (non-refundable)
If you choose to pay the full tuition and mandatory fees, you may still be eligible for a refund of payments above the $5000 deposit, as per the Portage College refund policy.
2025-2026 yearly tuition and mandatory fees, if you complete all the credits required in the academic year, is:
| Tuition | $15,300.00 |
| Student Association | $302.35 |
| Dental Insurance Fee | $163.25 |
| Health Insurance Fee | $163.25 |
| Guard Me Insurance | $602.25 |
| Technology Fee | $248.13 |
| Recreation Fee | $132.68 |
| First Aid | $210.00 |
| Total | $17,121.91 |
Visit Portage Bookstore for textbooks and supplies
Fee Explanations
Students’ Association Fees
These fees are authorized by student referendum and the Board of Governors. They are collected by the College on behalf of the Students’ Association in accordance with the Post Secondary Learning Act.
Health & Dental Fees
You may opt-out of the Dental and Health Insurance plan if you provide proof of comparable coverage for an extended health and/or dental care benefits plan.
Any questions regarding SA Fees including the Health and Dental Insurance fees should be directed to the SA Office 780-623-5609.
Athletics & Recreation Fees
These fees are collected to provide recreation and leisure opportunities that promote students’ physical, social, and emotional well-being, whether online or through in person facilities. Check out your +region in the link, to see what is offered at your campus or online.
Technology Fee
This is a mandatory fee assessed to students enrolling in any credit course (except for apprenticeship programs) at Portage College. The fee supports the on-going maintenance and upgrades to administrative systems that support the entire College infrastructure.
As such, it is considered a “mandatory non-instructional fee” and, therefore, is subject to Alberta Advanced Education Public Post-Secondary Institutions’ Tuition Fees Regulations. Visa students are charged the same rate as Canadian residents for this fee.
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.