Program_Early Learning and Child Care Certificate

Early Learning and Child Care Certificate

Find a rewarding career working with children eight years and younger. You’ll learn about early childhood development, family studies, planning and participating in play experiences, curriculum development, and more.
Domestic Status:
Open
International Status:
Open
Next Start date:
Certificate
1 Year
Accepting International Students
Full-Time On Campus Online Part-Time

About the Early Learning and Child Care Certificate

As an Early Learning and Child Care professional, you can help shape the minds of young children and give them a strong start.

You'll learn how to play fun games and activities with kids, teach them important skills, and help them feel safe and happy. You'll work with children from babies to eight years old, and what you learn will help you work with kids up to twelve years old, too.

This program can be taken full or part-time in-person or in one of our outreach delivery options to stay in your community for most or all of your program.

  • Online Delivery: Complete courses online and your practicum in your community.

  • Flexible Learning: Attend classes in Red Deer on Saturdays (two per course). Through this method, the program is completed over two years. 

Work-integrated Learning

Experiential learning is important in this field. Over the course of your program, you’ll complete two practicums in early learning and child care settings to connect program theory to real-world situations.

Further Study

This program provides credit toward the two-year Early Learning and Child Care Diploma program at Red Deer Polytechnic.

Graduates may also be able to transfer to related fields in some university programs. Students who wish to transfer to a university should look for more information from those institutions.

Domestic Intakes

Winter 2025 - Open
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Fall 2025 - Open
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International Intakes

Winter 2025 - Closed
  • Application window:
    -
  • Registration start date:
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  • First day of classes:
Fall 2025 - Open
  • Application window:
    -
  • Registration start date:
  • Fee payment deadline:
  • First day of classes:

Note:

  • International students have to pay their tuition deposit to receive their letters of acceptance
  • Important dates may change 

Admission Requirements

Admission requirements for specific programs will often refer to Alberta Grade 12 course groups. Visit the Admission Requirements page for detailed group descriptions.   

If you are an international student or have completed your high school education outside of Alberta, please refer to our International Course Equivalencies page for information on how your coursework may align with our admission requirements. 

Eligibility for admission to the Early Learning and Child Care Certificate program at Red Deer Polytechnic requires applicants to meet minimum academic requirements. Qualified applicants who meet all minimum requirements will be offered admission on a first-come, first-served basis. 

Academic Requirements  

Students applying to Early Learning and Child Care must have a minimum of 50% in:     

  • ELA 30-1, or equivalent 

OR 

A minimum of 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. 

Additional Requirements

English Language Proficiency

Applicants whose first language is not English must demonstrate English Language Proficiency (ELP) for admission to credit programs by providing official documentation to the Office of the Registrar after an online application has been submitted.

All ELP tests must have been obtained within two years of the date their program starts. ELP requirements are in addition to the other admission requirements noted above.   

Study Permits

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.  

Practicum Requirements

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. Students should be prepared for approximately $50 to $75 in extra expense to acquire these documents.  

Practicum courses are usually in the Red Deer area but you should plan for some extra costs associated with completing your practicum, including travel, clothing and other expenses.  

Prior Learning and Transfer

Students presenting courses from other recognized post-secondary institutions may be granted transfer credit towards the Early Learning and Child Care Certificate, visit our Recognition of Prior Learning and Transfer Credit page to learn more.   

Indigenous Learners

Information for Indigenous Learners

The Early Learning and Child Care Certificate program recognizes the need to facilitate access to post-secondary education for both Indigenous and non-Indigenous learners. To increase participation of Indigenous Peoples the program has designated two (2) seats for qualified applicants who are First Nations, Metis, or Inuit.  After June 1 for the Fall term and October 1 for the Winter term unallocated seats will be released to qualified applicants on the waitlist if one exists for the program. 

Indigenous applicants must meet the admission requirements for the program as outlined in the Academic Calendar and qualify for a designated seat by: 

  • Self-identifying as an Indigenous applicant on the Application for Admission. 
  • Providing proof of Indigenous ancestry

 Proof of Indigenous ancestry (one of the following): 

  • Certified copy of a Status or Treaty card, Metis membership card, Nunavut Trust Certificate card, roll number or any other proof accepted by Inuit communities. 
  • Proof that an ancestor’s name has been entered in the Indian Register according to the Indian Act, band list of an individual band, or the Inuit roll. 
  • Written confirmation of Indigenous ancestry from Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada. 
  • Statutory Declaration by an applicant attesting to Aboriginal ancestry with supporting documentation. 

Other forms of proof may also be considered at the discretion of the Registrar.

Program Cost

Domestic Students
Tuition
$5,103.00

These costs are an estimate of tuition based on the recommended course load per year, additional fees apply. 

Domestic Program Cost Estimates    

International Students
Tuition
$17,815.00

These costs are an estimate of tuition based on the recommended course load per year, additional fees apply. 

International Program Cost Estimates 

Program Content

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.  

Program Courses

Graduation Requirements

Students must pass all courses.  

Continuing and Professional Education

Further your career by advancing your existing skills through flexible courses, micro-credentials and programs.