Certificate in Early Learning and Child Care (Co-op) NorQuest College - Edmonton Campus, Canada

Launch a meaningful career shaping young lives. In just one year, gain the knowledge and skills to nurture children’s growth through play and care. This certificate program prepares you for Early Childhood Educator II certification through the Government of Alberta, opening the door to rewarding opportunities in early childhood care settings.

What to expect from the program
Recognized by Colleges and Institutes Canada as a program of excellence, the Early Learning and Child Care certificate program prepares you to provide quality child care in a wide variety of settings and to plan appropriate activities for the children in your care. Your new knowledge of child development, family dynamics, play, and program planning will equip you to support the healthy development of children through child-centred learning experiences. 

This program is designed as a one-year certification to get you a job-ready quickly. It also provides seamless transfer into year two of the Early Learning and Child Care - diploma program if you choose to advance your skills and qualifications to the next level.  Graduates of this program are eligible to apply to for Early Childhood Educator II certification through the Government of Alberta. 

Graduate with experience
NorQuest College believes in the importance of on-the-job experience that provides an enriched learning opportunity. You’ll graduate from this program with 400 hours of work experience from two practicums.

Practicum/work experience requirements
Before you attend your practicum, you will need:

• a clear Police Information Check (PIC) with a Vulnerable Sector Check (VSC).
• An Intervention Record Check (IRC).

You must be 18 years of age or older in order to obtain these documents. All documentation must be uploaded using the self-serve Student Document Attachment tile on your MyQuest Student Homepage 45-days prior to the start of your field experience. If you are unable to submit the required documentation by the deadline, you may be required to defer your practicum until you are able to provide them.

These checks are needed for Practicum 2, 3, and 4 of the program, and may not be dated more than six months before each practicum start date.
There may be costs associated with completing these requirements. See Completing work, practicum, and clinical requirements for details and further instructions.

International students: You must get a co-op work permit before beginning the work-integrated learning component of the program. A medical exam may also be needed. See Co-op work permit for more information.