Program Information
Introduction
Our Child Care Assistant students boast a 78% employment rate in their field of study.
This program teaches the roles and responsibilities of a childcare worker in Alberta while developing communication, observation, and child behaviour guidance skills (from birth to 6 years of age).
The salary range for our graduates is $15.00 – $17.00/hour.
Example Job Titles Include (but are not limited to): Bus attendant, child development assistant, child minder, day care worker, day home provider, and lunchroom supervisor
Program Highlights
- Cost: Grant funded program (for those who qualify)
- Delivery: Hybrid or Online
- Duration: 48 or 32 weeks
- Instruction Hours: Monday-Friday (25 hours/week)
- Semester Intake: January, May, and September
- Work Experience: 5 weeks
Classes are interactive and involve learners in group discussions, research, role plays, practical application of skills, and presentations. Active participation in class is expected. As learners progress through this program, they will build their confidence levels, gain experience, and increase their ability to perform in real situations. Embedded within the curriculum are job search strategies, industry vocabulary, computer skills, and professional behaviours (also referred to as Skills for Success, which will help learners improve their success in the workforce).
Upon the successful completion of the program, graduates may apply for a Level 1 Early Childhood Educator Certificate through the Alberta Child Care Staff Certification Office.
This course is developed as a blended delivery model (a combination of face-to-face and online). It includes a combination of synchronous and asynchronous learning.
It is strongly recommended that online learners have:
- Daily access to a reliable computer (Windows Pc recommended) for the full duration of the class
- Reliable internet service with high-speed internet. A cable connection is recommended
- A comfortable chair
- A workspace away from distractions
- A working microphone and video camera
- Earphones or earbuds (optional)
- Childcare in place
This program offers 2 program lengths: 48 or 32 weeks.
Childcare Assistant (48 week) program:
- Language entry requirement – CLB 4
- Academic entry requirement – English Grade 5 and mathematics Grade 4
Childcare Assistant (32 week) program:
- Language entry requirement – CLB 5
- Academic entry requirement – English Grade 6 and mathematics Grade 5
Before entering the program, all participants must be able to:
- meet the required language entry requirement (where applicable)
- achieve satisfactory results on the Columbia College assessment in reading comprehension, writing, and math
- successfully complete a Columbia College computer skills assessment (or equivalent) that will address basic computer skills (which includes basic internet and email knowledge), and introductory Microsoft Word
- successfully complete an entry interview with the Career and Employment Coordinator for suitability
Additionally, applicants must:
- be an Alberta resident (or address in city of Lloydminster)
- be unemployed or marginally employed
- be committed to seeking employment
- meet citizenship requirements (e.g., Canadian Citizen, Permanent Resident, or Convention Refugee) and be legally entitled to work and train in Canada
* Please note all students will be required to apply for a Police Information Check that includes a Vulnerable Sector search in their final semester of the program and provide a copy of the results to their practicum host employer.
Childcare Assistant (48 week) program:
- Essential Skills English
- Essential Skills Math
- Childcare Fundamentals and Career Development
Childcare Assistant (32 week) program:
- Essential Skills English
- Essential Skills Career Development
- CCS3110: Early Learning & Child Care 1 (Alberta Education)
- CCS3120: Early Learning & Child Care 2 (Alberta Education)
- CCS3130: Early Learning & Child Care 3 (Alberta Education)
- CCS3140: Early Learning & Child Care 4 (Alberta Education)
- CCS3150: Early Learning & Child Care 5 (Alberta Education)
- 5 weeks of work experience (practicum)
Additional Certificates may be earned in:
- Standard Childcare First Aid and CPR
- Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS)
- Environmental Public Health – AHS Classroom Course in Child Care
- Nourishing Beginnings – Module 1: Supporting Young Eaters and Module 2: Learning Together with Food
In the final 5 weeks of the training program, learners will attend 5 weeks of work experience (practicum) where they will be challenged to apply all areas of acquired classroom knowledge to practical real-life circumstances. Work hours will be a minimum of 25-40 hours per week (depending on the employer’s needs) for the duration of the practicum placement.
Additionally, learners may be awarded 5 one credit courses (CCS3110, CCS3120, CCS3130, CCS3140, and CCS 3150) on an Alberta Education post-secondary education transcript. High school transcripts are not connected to Columbia College but can be requested through the Government of Alberta with a myPass account.
Please note the Level 1 Early Childhood Educator certificate awarded by the Alberta Government is not provided by Columbia College. Graduates must submit an online application after graduation and electronically submit their Alberta Education post-secondary education transcript along with the application.
Additional Information
This program is funded by Alberta Human Services. Students may be eligible to receive financial and childcare assistance. Please contact Columbia College at 403-235-9300 for further details.
Tutoring is available to students who have fallen below the minimal pass rate.
Upon successful completion of the program, graduates will receive a Certificate of Program Completion (must achieve minimum course requirement of 70% or higher in each course) and may qualify to apply for a Level 1 Early Childhood Educator Certificate through the Alberta Child Care Staff Certification Office. All graduates will be invited to attend Columbia College’s Convocation ceremony.
Employers of Graduates
BrightPath, Calgary Board of Education, Columbia Childcare Centre, NurtureCare Early Learning Centre, Southland Transportation, Willowbrae Academy, YMCA, and other licensed daycares in Calgary and surrounding communities.
Find a Job in High Demand
According to the Alberta government, Early Childhood Educators and Assistants “is an occupation with a forecasted labour shortage of more than 1,000 workers by 2028.” This is called a high demand job. High demand means that the number of qualified workers is lower than the number of predicted job openings. Choosing a career that is in high demand is a great way to find success. For more information on Alberta’s Occupational Outlook, please visit https://www.alberta.ca/job-market-forecasts.aspx
Course Features
- Lectures 1
- Quizzes 0
- Duration 50 hours
- Skill level All levels
- Language English
- Students 0
- Assessments Yes