Certificate

1 year

The Certificate may be completed part-time or full-time on-campus or part-time online or distance study courses.

Program Cost Estimates

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Graduates of the Certificate program in Early Learning and Child Care may find employment in a variety of positions:

• early childhood caregivers in child care programs
• instructional assistants in kindergarten programs and primary grades
• teachers in a nursery school
• caregivers in school-age care programs
• family day home providers

The importance of the early years in a child's development is well established. There is a critical need for a variety of programs for children and families and for trained staff to ensure children's developmental needs are being met. The Early Learning and Child Care Program trains professionals to work with children from birth to eight years, with some related preparation for working with children from eight to twelve years of age. Throughout the program, there is an emphasis on developing caring relationships with children and families.

A one-year certificate can help prepare students for a rewarding career. This program is designed to provide students with the opportunity to gain knowledge and develop competencies in such areas as child development, interpersonal relations, curriculum content, family studies, exceptional children, and program management.

Focus is placed on the integration of theory and practice. This is accomplished by an extended practicum in a variety of early learning and care program environments.

RDC offers a one-year certificate in Early Learning and Child Care. Each course you take focuses on a different topic important to those who work with young children - everything from child development, to guiding behavior, to planning snacks and bulletin boards, to planning and participating in play experiences, to interacting with children who have special needs.

The ELCC department operates in partnership with college and community programs serving children from birth to twelve years of age. Students work in practicum placements in these programs as a method of integrating theory and practice. There are two practicum courses in the ELCC program.

The Certificate in Early Learning and Child Care may be taken several different ways. Students may attend part-time or full-time on the RDC campus or enroll in one of our Outreach Delivery courses. This allows students to take ELCC courses while staying in their community for most or all of the experience. There are two Outreach Delivery methods for the Certificate:  online or through Flexible Learning. Students taking online courses complete their courses and practicums in their community. Flexible Learning courses are based in Red Deer and combine the strengths of hands-on classroom activities with computer-facilitated support. Students in Flexible Learning attend on-site classes in Red Deer two Saturdays per course. The entire cycle of ELCC Distance Certificate courses may be completed part-time over a two year period. The online Certificate can be completed in one year. This multi-delivery approach is highly effective in meeting the diverse needs of adult students. A student wanting full-time studies could enroll in on-campus, online, or a combination of delivery methods.

Students can enter the program in September, January or May and can register as part-time or full-time students.

See Flexible Learning for more information.

A minimum of 50% in ELA 30-1 or 65% in ELA 30-2, or equivalent

OR

A minimum score of 250 on the Reading component, 250 on the Writing component and 5 on the WritePlacer Test.  

OR

Previous completion of three College-level courses with a minimum GPA of 2.0.

Note: Applicants whose first language is not English must demonstrate English language proficiency in addition to the program admission requirements.

 

Note: Government requires people who work directly with young children to have a current immunization record and a Police Information Check. While not an admission requirement for the program, some practicum agencies and field placements may require Police Information Checks of students working in their organizations. Information about obtaining Police Information Checks will be provided to students after they have been admitted to the program. Some programs may require medical examinations, as well.

Note: Students with Study Permits that are admitted to a program that has a practicum or clinical placement in childcare, primary/secondary school teaching or health service field occupations must complete their Medical Authorization as required by Citizenship and Immigration Canada one month prior to the start of classes.

You must pass all first year courses to receive a certificate.

Students will be required to take a Communications and Skills Assessment Test before registering in a 200-level written communications course.  A minimum score of 530 on the Combined Reading and Writing and 7 on the WritePlacer Test is required.

NOTE:  COMM 150 and 250 are course requirements for the Early Learning & Childcare, Certificate.  However, if students achieve a satisfactory mark on their Communications Skills Assessment, they will be exempt from COMM 150 and will only need to take COMM 250.  

NOTE:   If a student achieves 60% or greater in ELA 30-1 or equivalent, they are exempt from having to take the Communications Skills Assessment, their registration will be cancelled in COMM 150 and they will only need to take COMM 250.

• COMM 150 Fundamentals of College and Workplace Writing or  
• COMM 250 Business and Workplace Writing  
• ELCC 201 Foundations of Early Childhood Development  
• ELCC 206 Child Development & Exceptionalities  
• ELCC 210 Practicum I  
• ELCC 211 Child Development  
• ELCC 212 Program Planning I  
• ELCC 213 Interpersonal Relations I  
• ELCC 215 Program Planning II  
• ELCC 217 Guiding Behavior  
• ELCC 218 Program Planning III  
• ELCC 220 Practicum II  

Note: Students are encouraged to take COMM 250 if they qualify.

Practicum courses are usually in the Red Deer area, but you should expect some extra costs for travel, clothes, etc.