Program Description
You can make a difference in the lives of children, families, and communities. The full-time eight-month (two terms) Early Childhood Education and Development Certificate program prepares you to provide quality child care in a wide variety of settings and plan emergent play experiences for the children in your care. You will gain knowledge of child development, family dynamics, play, and program planning that will equip you to support the healthy development of children through child-centred learning experiences.
This program combines theory and practice and graduates are eligible for Level 2 Early Childhood Educator (formerly Child Development Worker) certification from the Alberta Government.
Interested in advancing even further in Early Childhood Education and Development?
Bow Valley College also offers a two-year Early Childhood Education and Development Diploma program.
Delivery mode
As this program is available to learners across Alberta, the academic courses are delivered through our online learning platform and learning activity takes place at the times and locations of the learners choosing.
Practicum courses include on-site activity at a licensed childcare program in Alberta and online seminars.
Students may choose to take fewer courses each term and extend the length of their program.
Admission Requirements
Academic Requirements
*Subject to change
Credit in either English 30-1 or 65% in English 30-2 or equivalent
OR:
Successful completion of the General Educational Development (GED) test with a standard score of 520 in Language Arts: Reading and Writing
OR:
Satisfactory results on the BVC Admissions Test
English Language Proficiency Requirements
See English Language Proficiency Requirements for details.
Pre-practicum Requirement
A current Police Information Check (PIC) with a Vulnerable Sector Search (VSS) must be submitted prior to practicum placements. The existence of a criminal record may postpone or prevent clinical, practicum, or field work placements and, subsequently, successful completion of the program.
Transferability
Transfer opportunities are available to a variety of institutions. Transfer credits are reviewed and accepted on an individual basis by the institution to which you apply. See our most current transfer agreements here.