Early Childhood Education
Early Childhood Education
Contact Us
SarahJayne Biglieni
Human Services Enrolment Specialist
780 853 0902
780 853 0902
Ask me your questions
International Students
international@lakelandcollege.ca
780 853 8407
If you are an international student or on a work permit, please contact our international department
Learn everything you need to know to create experiences and environments that enhance young children's development from infancy to school age in an early learning setting.
As you work towards your two-year 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 outside in our new natural playscape.
- develop relationships and support children and their families.
- run an early learning program.
Each semester has a field placement. Your third field placement is unique to Lakeland. You and your classmates will set up and host a play program for the community. Together, you’ll:
- plan and promote the play program.
- hold an open house for families.
- create experiences and environments for the children.
- guide children's learning and reflect on the experience.
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.
Requirements
More program details
You can also find a list of Human Services textbooks.
Below is the list of the required certificate and diploma courses. Face-to-face courses are delivered over 2 semesters.
Certificate
Diploma
About field placement
You need a minimum 2.0 Grade Point Average (GPA) to be eligible for your field placement.
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 ED 230 ECE Field Placement III
- 8 diploma courses to register for ED 231 ECE Field Placement IV
Your weekly class schedule can be found on your My Lakeland student portal when available. This is usually one month prior to the program start date.
Important dates found below include your tuition due date, your program registration/start date, events and holidays.
Dates are subject to change. We recommend you check here regularly for any updates.
Face-to-face on-campus important dates
2024
Aug 12 — Fees due fall term semester 1
Sept 3 — Registration day
Sept 4 — First day of classes, semester 1
Sept 11 — Last day to add semester 1 courses
Sept 24 — Last day to drop semester 1 courses. Last day to withdraw from college with full refund less tuition deposit
Sept 30 — National Truth & Reconciliation Day, college closed
Oct 14 — Thanksgiving, college closed
Nov 1 — Last day to withdraw from semester 1 with W grade or change from credit to audit
Nov 8-11 — Fall break for students
Nov 11 — Remembrance Day, college closed
Dec 2 — Fees due winter term semester 2
Dec 13 — Last day of classes, semester 1
Dec 16-Jan 6 — Christmas break for students
2025
Jan 7 — First day of classes, winter term semester 2
Jan 13 — Last day to add semester 2 courses
Jan 28 — Last day to drop semester 2 courses. Last day to withdraw from college with 100% refund of semester 2 fees.
Feb 17-21 — Reading Week/Spring Break
March 14 — Last day to withdraw from semester 2 courses with W grade or change from credit to audit.
April 18-21 — Easter Break, college closed
April 25 — Last day of classes, semester 2
June 6 — Vermilion Campus Convocation
Please note these dates are subject to change.
2025
Aug 11 — Fees due, fall term
Sept 2 — Registration Day
Sept 3 — First day of classes, fall term semester 1
Sept 10 — Last day to add semester 1 courses
Sept 23 — Last day to drop semester 1 courses. Last day to withdraw with full refund of fees less tuition deposit.
Sept 30 — National Truth & Reconciliation Day, college closed
Oct 13 — Thanksgiving, college closed
Nov 3 — Last day to withdraw from semester 1 with W grade or change from credit to audit
Nov 10-11 — Fall break for students
Nov 11 — Remembrance Day, college closed
Dec 1 — Fees due, winter term
Dec 12 — Last day of semester 1
Dec 13–Jan 5 — Christmas break for students
2026
Jan 6 — First day of classes, winter term semester 2
Jan 13 — Last day to add semester 2 courses
Jan 27 — Last day to drop semester 2 courses. Last day to withdraw with 100% refund of semester 2 fees.
Feb 16–20 — Reading week/spring break
March 13 — Last day to withdraw from semester 2 courses with W grade or change from credit to audit.
April 3–6 — Easter Break, college closed
April 24 — Last day semester 2
June 5— Vermilion Campus Convocation
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
Apply to take another year and earn a diploma. A diploma also opens doors to a number of degree options.
After the diploma
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 Administration, Bachelor 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 Victoria offers a Bachelor of Arts: Child & Youth Care.
Note: up to 60 credits transfer
Students who have completed Early Childhood Education can transfer to the U of R for Bachelor of Education.
- up to 15 credits for Early Childhood Education Certificate
- Up to 30 credits for Early Childhood Education

Learning in action

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.