The diploma program provides foundational knowledge required for the diploma program. Students gain knowledge and skills in emergent curriculum, outdoor and nature play through experiential learning. Leadership & management in ECE, and community advocacy & partnership courses prepare students to be leaders in the field. Students receive hands-on experience building relationships with families, children, other staff, while meeting licensing regulations during field placements.
Completion of the diploma program qualifies graduates to apply for Level 3 Early Childhood Educator through the Government of Alberta and Saskatchewan
Admission Requirements:
Completion of an Early Childhood Education Certificate from a public post-secondary institution with a minimum GPA of 2.0.
Field Placement Requirements:
Students are responsible for requesting a criminal record check (with a vulnerable sector check) through the RCMP in their hometown. Practicum agencies will require a clear criminal record check. An individual must be a minimum of 18 years old to obtain a Criminal Record Check with a Vulnerable Sector, which is required to be placed on practicum and complete the program. Students may be required to possess a current First Aid in Childcare Certificate and may require an Intervention Record Check. In the program, students must be prepared to relocate to larger centres for field placements. Students must be in good standing and meet the 2.0 Grade Point Average (GPA) requirement to be eligible to complete practicum/ field placement experience.
Graduation Requirements:
Students completing the requirements listed with a minimum GPA of 2.0 will be awarded an Early Childhood Education diploma.
Students taking the online version of Early Childhood Education are required to take HS 270 and HS 271 in place of ED 230 and ED 231 .
Opportunities for Further Study:
Lakeland College has agreements with specific institutions to transfer credits from our programs to theirs. Graduates from the ECE diploma program receive transfer credit to:
- Lakeland College -Animal Assisted Wellness, Community Mental Health
- Athabasca University - Bachelor of Professional Arts Human Services
- University of Alberta - up to 30 credits towards Bachelor of Elementary Education
- MacEwan University:
- Bachelor of Applied Human Services Administration - up to 60 credits
- Bachelor of Child & Youth Care - up to 60 credits
- Mount Royal University - Bachelor of Child Studies
- University of Regina - Bachelor of Education - up to 30 credits
- University of Saskatchewan - Bachelor of Arts: Northern Studies major in Aboriginal Public Administration
- University of Victoria - Bachelor of Arts Child & Youth Care
- University of Lethbridge - Bachelor of Health Services
This doesn’t mean these institutions are your only option. For more information, check out links to the Alberta Council on Admissions and Transfer (ACAT) www.acat.gov.ab.ca. If you want to transfer to another institution, you must ensure that you meet the admission requirements of that institution. However, meeting the requirements does not guarantee that you will be accepted, especially in programs with quotas of other qualifying factors.
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