Early Learning and Child Care Certificate

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.   

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.  

Please be advised that you will be required to provide a Police Information Check which includes the Vulnerable Sector Check prior to being placed for practicum experiences. If obtaining these documents in Alberta, be prepared for a minimum cost of $50 in extra expense to acquire these documents annually.  

Failure to present this document may prevent practicum placement. Having a criminal record may impede practicum placement, program completion and certification and therefore would affect future employment prospects. It is the decision of each practicum placement to accept or reject a student for placement based on the results of the criminal record check.  

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.   

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.   

Courses may have specific requirements for participation that require the use of a laptop, PC/MAC, iPad or tablet with peripherals that include a webcam, microphone and speakers/headphones. Assignments and submissions may require .docx or .pdf formatting. Applicants are required to have access to technology that will support participation online, assignment submission and assessment completion. Red Deer Polytechnic uses the Microsoft Office Suite of applications.  

Alberta Child Care Staff Certification office requires Early Childhood Educators who are requesting certification to complete a Self-Disclosure for Early Childhood Educators form when applying for government certification to meet the conduct requirements. Failure to complete this form or failure to disclose information on this form may affect certification and future employment prospects. To find out more about this process, information can be obtained from https://www.alberta.ca/early-childhood-educator-certification 

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 four (4) 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.

If you have questions or want help with the process, please connect with Indigenous Student Services.