Early Childhood Education Diploma

Every block tower and muddy puddle can become a lesson when the adult nearby knows how to read it. Lakeland College’s Early Childhood Education diploma is a two-year programme taught face to face at the Vermilion campus, and completing it meets the requirement for Level 3 early childhood educator certification in Alberta.

Year one covers child development and play-based curriculum through Lifespan Studies I, Observation & Play, Early Childhood Professionalism, Health, Safety & Nutrition, Positive Behaviour Supports, Art, Music & Movement Experiences, Literacy, Math & Science Experiences, Family Studies, Infant & Toddler Care and Communication Skills. Year two moves into leadership and inclusion with Leadership & Management in ECE, Emergent Environments for Children, Outdoor & Nature Play, Foundations of Inclusion, Supporting Diverse Needs, Sensory Development, Intercultural Competencies, Community Advocacy and Partnerships and Infant & Toddler Mental Health, preparing you to run programmes as well as teach in them.

Four field placements run through the diploma: ECE Field Placement I and II in year one, then III and IV in year two. The third placement is unique to Lakeland: your class sets up and hosts a play programme for the community, planning and promoting it, holding an open house for families, designing environments for the children and reflecting on the results. Placements need a 2.0 GPA and a clear criminal record check with vulnerable sector check. Diploma graduates can transfer credit into degrees such as MacEwan University’s Bachelor of Early Childhood Curriculum Studies, Mount Royal University’s Bachelor of Child Studies and the University of Victoria’s child and youth care degree.

Lakeland lists early childhood educators, pre-school teachers, family day home educators, early intervention program aides, educational assistants, child care centre directors and licensing officers among its graduates. The diploma suits creative, observant people who enjoy young children and want a route into leading an early learning centre rather than only working in one.