Child Care Assistant – Level 1 Early Childhood Educator Training

Program Design

• Duration: The program is offered in one of 2 program lengths, 48 or 32 weeks.
• Age Focus: Children from birth to 8 years of age.
• Goal: You’ll receive education that prepares you for becoming a skilled and valued Early Childhood Educator in Alberta.

Highlights & Skill Development

This program is designed to develop your professional child-care employability skills in key areas such as oral communication, working with others, and problem-solving.  

Through interactive learning activities such as discussions, research, professional presentations, and hands-on experiences, you will gain a critical understanding of early childcare development, observation and assessment, creativity, adaptability, safe environments, inclusion, and practical childcare skills. 

Students will complete a portfolio of songs, activities, and developmental strategies supporting the growing needs of children. Students design and plan age-appropriate activities that can be used on-the-job to help children develop language, social-emotional, physical, intellectual, and creative skills. 

Throughout the program, you will develop digital literacy skills and gain an understanding of industry-specific terminology.  The practice of professional conduct will improve your workplace readiness and employability in the childcare sector.  Additionally, you will practice job search strategies that will boost your confidence and readiness to enter the job market.  

This course is structured as a blended delivery model, combining both face-to-face and online learning . The curriculum is designed to engage students through both synchronous (live) and asynchronous (self-paced) learning experiences.

For an optimal online learning experience, it is strongly recommended that students have the following:

• Reliable Computer Access: daily access to a dependable computer (a Windows PC is recommended) throughout the course duration.
• High-Speed Internet: Ensure a stable internet connection, preferably with a cable connection for consistent high-speed access.
• Workspace: Set up a comfortable chair and a workspace that is free from distractions.
• Tools: Have a functioning microphone and video camera to participate actively in live sessions.
• Accessories: Consider using earphones or earbuds for better audio during online sessions.
• Childcare Arrangements: If applicable, please make necessary childcare arrangements during class times.

Upon completing our program, you’ll receive:

• Level 1 Early Childhood Educator Certificate Eligibility: After completing our program, you’ll be eligible and prepared to apply for Level 1 Early Childhood Educator Certificate through the Alberta Child Care Staff Certification Office.
• Certificate of Completion: You’ll be invited to participate in our Convocation Ceremony and receive your Certificate of Completion.
• Credits: You may be eligible to receive 5 Alberta Education Credits.

Additional Certifications (if applicable)

• Standard Childcare First Aid and CPR
• Alberta Health & Safety for Child Care Certificate  
• Environmental Public Health:  AHS Classroom Course in Child Care
• Nourishing Beginnings
  • Module 1: Supporting Young Eaters and
  • Module 2: Learning Together with Food

See Graduation Requirements Section for more details

*High school transcripts are not connected to Columbia College but can be requested through the Government of Alberta with a myPass account: public.education.alberta.ca/PASI/mypass/home.  Fees may apply. 

Practicum – Work Integrated Learning (WIL)

• In the final 5 weeks of the training program, learners will attend 5 weeks of Work Integrated Learning (also known as practicum) where they will be challenged to apply all areas of acquired classroom knowledge to practical real-life circumstances within their scope of practice. 
• Work hours will be range from of 25-40 hours per week (depending on the employer’s needs) for the duration of the practicum placement.