Program Information
Introduction
Our Childcare Assistant program boasts a 78% employment rate where graduates have been awarded a Level 1 Early Childhood Educator certificate through the Alberta Child Care Staff Certification Office.
This program teaches the roles and responsibilities of a childcare worker in Alberta while developing communication, observation, and skills for guiding child behaviour (from birth to 6 years of age).
The average salary rate for graduates from our program is $18.59/hour. *
(According to the ALIS website under the category Early Childhood Educators and Assistants)
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 will be interactive and involve learners in group discussions, research, role plays, 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, skills for success (previously referred to as essential skills employers look for) and professional behaviours which will help learners improve their success in the workforce.
This course has been developed as a blended delivery model (a combination of face-to-face and online). 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 the best however staying closer to the Wi-Fi also works
- A comfortable chair
- A workspace away from distractions
- A working microphone and video camera
- Earphones or earbuds (optional)
This program offers 2 program lengths: 48 or 32 weeks.
Childcare Assistant (48 week) program
- learners born outside of Canada – CLB 4, Math Grade 4
- learners who have attended school in Canada – English Grade 5 and Math Grade 4
Childcare Assistant (32 week) program
- learners born outside of Canada – CLB 5, Math Grade 5
- learners who have attended school in Canada – English Grade 6 and Math Grade 5
Before entering the program, all participants must be able to:
- achieve satisfactory results on the Columbia College Accuplacer assessment in reading comprehension, writing, and math
- successfully complete an entry interview with the Career and Employment Coordinator for suitability
Additionally, applicants must:
- be an Alberta resident
- be unemployed or marginally employed
- be committed to seeking employment
- meet citizenship requirements (e.g., Canadian Citizen, Permanent Refugee, or Convention Refugee) and be legally entitled to work and train in Canada
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
- Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS)
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.
Additional Information
This program is funded by Alberta Human Services. Students may be eligible to receive financial assistance. Please contact the 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, NurtureCare Early Learning Centre, Southland Transportation, Willowbrae Academy, YMCA
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
