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Schedule time with SarahJayne
LocationOnline
CredentialCertificate
Program Length40 to 80 credits
Delivery MethodOnline asynchronous
Are you looking for our face-to-face early childhood education program?

Choose to take Lakeland early childhood education certificate or diploma program online.

Courses are offered online to provide you with flexibility.

You can apply to start the program in the Fall, Winter or Spring term. Review the part-time and full-time options below before applying.

  • Most students choose to complete the program on a part-time basis. Part-time students can begin studies in any term.
  • Students who apply to begin studies in the Winter or Spring terms may be able to take a full-time course load for a semester; however, due to course sequencing and prerequisite requirements, you will not be able to complete the entire program on a full-time basis.
  • To complete the entire program on a full-time basis, you must apply to begin in the Fall term. This start time ensures you meet the necessary prerequisites to continue with a full-time course load in the Winter term.

You'll get the same great course content and also do field placements but without having to come to campus. This option may be for you if you're working in the field.

After all, with a class called play, you know you're in the right place.

Learn everything you need to know to create experiences and environments that enhance their development from infancy to school age in an early learning setting.

As you work towards your certificate and diploma, you’ll learn how to:

  • use observation skills to create experiences for young children based on their interests and needs.
  • design learning environments that invite play and exploration both indoors and outdoors.
  • develop relationships and support children and their families.
  • run an early learning program.

You'll do 2 field placements for a certificate and 4 if you choose to take the diploma.

In Alberta, to be recognized as a:

  • Level 1 Early Childhood Educator, you must successfully complete 1 programming course in our certificate program. 
  • Level 2 Early Childhood Educator, you must graduate with your certificate in early childhood education.
  • Level 3 Early Childhood Educator, you must graduate with your diploma in early childhood education.

If you are in Saskatchewan, check out our professional development option to earn your ECE I. 

Requirements

More program details

*Note: Comprehensive and students' association fees are calculated based on number of credits not number of courses

Textbook costs vary depending on the course. Please view the bookstore to see the materials required for each course.

Below is the list of required courses and their descriptions.

Online courses are delivered over 3 semesters - fall, winter and spring.

You can apply to start the program in the Fall, Winter or Spring term. Review the part-time and full-time options below before applying.

  • Most students choose to complete the program on a part-time basis. Part-time students can begin studies in any term.
  • Students who apply to begin studies in the Winter or Spring terms may be able to take a full-time course load for a semester; however, due to course sequencing and prerequisite requirements, you will not be able to complete the entire program on a full-time basis.
  • To complete the entire program on a full-time basis, you must apply to begin in the Fall term. This start time ensures you meet the necessary prerequisites to continue with a full-time course load in the Winter term.

To find the academic schedules and more information on application and registration dates, go to the important dates section.

Online course information

Enrolment is the final step after you've been accepted.

  • You will self-register in your courses.
  • You can expect an email from the Office of the Registrar beginning one week before registration opens. It will include instructions on how to self-register and pay tuition using My Lakeland.

Please work with the academic advisor to develop a plan for the courses you want to take.

Contact the human services academic advisor if you need help setting up a program plan:

Please note:

  • We recommend you take CO 118 Communication Skills as one of your first 2 courses in the certificate program.
  • Check the course descriptions for pre and co-requisites.

About field placement/practicum

You need a minimum 2.0 Grade Point Average (GPA) to be eligible for your practicum.

You must have completed or be in the process of successfully completing:

  • 4 certificate courses including HS 180 to be eligible to register for ED 109 ECE Field Placement I
  • 8 certificate courses to register for ED 110 ECE Field Placement II
  • 4 diploma courses including ED 243 to be eligible to register for HS 270 ECE Online Field Placement III
  • 8 diploma courses to register for HS 271 ECE Field Placement IV

The academic schedule found below includes refund information, deadlines, events and holidays. Most programs follow the same schedule, but any variations can be found here.

Check this page regularly as changes may occur.  

  • You must apply and be accepted before you can register for courses. How to Apply
  • You can apply to start the program in the Fall, Winter or Spring term. Review the part-time and full-time options below before applying. 
    • Most students choose to complete the program on a part-time basis. Part-time students can begin studies in any term.
    • Students who apply to begin studies in the Winter or Spring terms may be able to take a full-time course load for a semester; however, due to course sequencing and prerequisite requirements, you will not be able to complete the entire program on a full-time basis.
    • To complete the entire program on a full-time basis, you must apply to begin in the Fall term. This start time ensures you meet the necessary prerequisites to continue with a full-time course load in the Winter term.
  • Once accepted, you can expect an email from the Office of the Registrar beginning one week before registration opens. It will include instructions on how to self-register and pay tuition using My Lakeland.

Note:

  • If you are working, we recommend you limit registration to 2 courses per term, starting with CO 118 Communication Skills.

Applications open: Oct 1, 2023 Close: Aug 14, 2024

Last day to submit your application documents or complete entrance testing: Aug 22, 2024

Course registrations open: Aug 7 Close: Aug 30. Fees due in full at time of registration.

Practicum registrations open: Aug 7 Close: Sept 9. Fees due in full at time of registration.

Last day to withdraw with full refund less $100 per course: September 23

Last day to withdraw with "W" grade: October 18

Course dates: September 9-November 15, 2024

Practicum dates: November 18-Dec 13

College closed: Sept 30, Oct 14, Nov 11, Dec 23-Jan 2

Applications open: Aug 7, 2024 Close: Nov 19, 2024

Last day to submit your application documents or complete entrance testing: Nov 26, 2024

Course registrations open: Nov 27  Close: Jan 3. Fees due in full at time of registration.

Practicum registrations open: Nov 27 Close: Jan 20. Fees due in full at time of registration.

Last day to withdraw with full refund less $100 per course: Feb 3, 2025

Last day to withdraw with "W" grade: Feb 28, 2025

Course dates: Jan 20-March 28

Practicum dates: March 31-April 25

Convocation: June 6, 2025

College closed: Feb 17, April 18, April 21

Applications open: Oct 2, 2024 Close: March 13, 2025

Last day to submit your application documents or complete entrance testing: March 21, 2025

Course registrations open: March 24 Close: April 17. Fees due in full at time of registration.

Last day to withdraw with full refund less $100 per course: May 12, 2025

Last day to withdraw with "W" grade: June 4, 2025

Course dates: April 28-June 27, 2025

No practicum in the spring term for any online Human Service programs.

Convocation: June 6, 2025

College closed: May 19

Applications open: Oct 2, 2024 Close: Aug 7, 2025

Last day to submit your application documents or complete entrance testing: Aug 14, 2025

Course registrations open: Aug 6, 2025 Close: Aug 28, 2025. Fees due in full at time of registration.

Practicum registrations open: Aug 6, 2025 Close: Sep 8, 2025. Fees due in full at time of registration.

Last day to withdraw with full refund less $100 per course: Sep 22, 2025

Last day to withdraw with "W" grade: Oct 17, 2025

Course dates: Sep 8 - Nov 14, 2025

Practicum dates: Nov 17 - Dec 12, 2025

College closed: Sept 30, Oct 13, Nov 11, Dec 23-Jan 2 

Applications open: Aug 6, 2025 Close: Nov 18, 2025

Last day to submit your application documents or complete entrance testing: Nov 25, 2025

Course registrations open: Nov 26, 2025  Close: Dec 18, 2025. Fees due in full at time of registration.

Practicum registrations open: Nov 26, 2025 Close: Jan 19, 2026. Fees due in full at time of registration.

Last day to withdraw with full refund less $100 per course: Feb 2, 2026

Last day to withdraw with "W" grade: Feb 27, 2026

Course dates: Jan 19 - Mar 27, 2026

Practicum dates: Mar 30 - Apr 24, 2026

Convocation: June 5, 2026

College closed: Feb 16, April 3-6

Applications open: Oct 1, 2025 Close: Mar 12, 2026

Last day to submit your application documents or complete entrance testing: Mar 19, 2026

Course registrations open: Mar 25, 2026 Close: Apr 16, 2026. Fees due in full at time of registration.

Last day to withdraw with full refund less $100 per course: May 11, 2026

Last day to withdraw with "W" grade: Jun 2, 2026

Course dates: Apr 27 - Jun 26, 2026

No practicum in the spring term

College closed: May 18, Jul 1, Aug 3

If you need information on course planning or further support, please:

Continue your learning

If you are in Saskatchewan, check out our professional development option to earn Saskatchewan ECE I online. Our certificate will lead you to an ECE II designation and our diploma graduates are recognized as ECE IIIs.

At Lakeland College:

  • Animal Assisted Wellness
  • Community Mental Health

After the certificate

This one year certificate program qualifies graduates as an Early Childhood Educator Level 2.

Apply to take another year and earn a diploma. A diploma also opens doors to a number of degree options.

After the diploma

The two year diploma program qualifies graduates as an Early Childhood Educator Level 3.

Do you want to take your education to the next level?

Lakeland has transfer agreements with the following institutions:

Athabasca University offers a  Bachelor of Professional Arts: Human Services.

Note: up to 30 credits transfer

Options at MacEwan University include Bachelor of Applied Human Services AdministrationBachelor of Child & Youth Care and Bachelor of Early Childhood Curriculum Studies.

Note: up to 60 credits transfer for B. Early Childhood Curriculum Studies.

Mount Royal University offers a Bachelor of Child Studies.

Note: up to 60 credits transfer

University of Alberta offers a Bachelor of Elementary Education.

Note: up to 30 credits transfer

University of Saskatchewan offers a Bachelor of Arts: Indigenous Studies.

University of Victoria offers a Bachelor of Arts: Child & Youth Care.

Note: up to 60 credits transfer

Students on a field trip
When you study online at Lakeland, you'll still have access to the hands-on learning we're known for. See how our alumni are making impacts in their communities and how their education prepared them to do so.

Creating connections

Lakeland student playing games with students in a classroom

Students working in early childhood education may qualify for provincial financial assistance. Check your respective province for more details and applications.

Alberta
Saskatchewan
Lakeland student playing games with students in a classroom

Studying early childhood education at Lakeland starts you on a rewarding path teaching and mentoring children. Graduates typically work in a variety of learning environments, both in classrooms and managing roles.

Jobs and careers

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