Early Childhood Education - Online Delivery
Early Childhood Education - Online Delivery
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
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:
- by email at hsacademic.advisor@lakelandcollege.ca
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.
Date | Event |
---|---|
Oct 2, 2024 - Aug 7, 2025 | Applications open and close |
Aug 6 - 28, 2025 | Course registration open and close. Fees due in full at time of registration |
Aug 6 - Sep 8, 2025 | Practicum registration open and close. Fees due in full at time of registration |
Aug 14, 2025 | Last day to submit your application documents or complete entrance testing |
Sep 8 - Nov 14, 2025 | Course start and end |
Sep 22, 2025 | Last day to withdraw with full refund less $100 per course |
Sep 30, 2025 | National Truth & Reconciliation Day, college closed |
Oct 13, 2025 | Thanksgiving, college closed |
Oct 17, 2025 | Last day to withdraw with W grade |
Nov 11, 2025 | Remembrance Day, college closed |
Nov 17 - Dec 12, 2025 | Practicum start and end |
Dec 23, 2025 - Jan 2, 2026 | Christmas break |
Date | Event |
---|---|
Aug 6 - Nov 18, 2025 | Applications open and close |
Nov 25, 2025 | Last day to submit your application documents or complete entrance testing |
Nov 26 - Dec 18, 2025 | Course registration open and close. Fees due in full at time of registration |
Nov 26, 2025 - Jan 19, 2026 | Practicum registration open and close. Fees due in full at time of registration |
Jan 19 - Mar 27, 2026 | Course start and end |
Feb 2, 2026 | Last day to withdraw with full refund less $100 per course |
Feb 16, 2026 | Family Day, campus closed |
Feb 27, 2026 | Last day to withdraw with W grade |
Mar 30 - Apr 24, 2026 | Practicum start and end |
Apr 3-6, 2026 | Easter break, college closed |
Jun 5, 2026 | Convocation |
Date | Event |
---|---|
Oct 1, 2025 - Mar 12, 2026 | Applications open and close |
Mar 19, 2026 | Last day to submit your application documents or complete entrance testing |
Mar 25 - Apr 16, 2026 | Course registration open and close. Fees due in full at time of registration |
Apr 27 - Jun 26, 2026 | Course start and end |
May 11, 2026 | Last day to withdraw with full refund less $100 per course |
May 18, 2026 | Victoria Day, college closed |
Jun 2, 2026 | Last day to withdraw with W grade |
Jul 1, 2026 | Canada Day, college closed |
Aug 3, 2026 | Civic Holiday, college closed |
Date | Event |
---|---|
Oct 1, 2025 - Aug 6, 2026 | Applications open and close |
Aug 12 - Sep 3, 2026 | Course registration open and close. Fees due in full at time of registration |
Aug 12 - Sep 3, 2026 | Practicum registration open and close. Fees due in full at time of registration |
Aug 13, 2026 | Last day to submit your application documents or complete entrance testing |
Sep 14 - Nov 20, 2026 | Course start and end |
Sep 28, 2026 | Last day to withdraw with full refund less $100 per course |
Sep 30, 2026 | National Truth & Reconciliation Day, college closed |
Oct 12, 2026 | Thanksgiving, college closed |
Oct 23, 2026 | Last day to withdraw with W grade |
Nov 11, 2026 | Remembrance Day, college closed |
Nov 23 - Dec 18, 2026 | Practicum start and end |
Dec 21, 2026 - Jan 4, 2027 | Christmas break |
Date | Event |
---|---|
Aug 5 - Nov 19, 2026 | Applications open and close |
Nov 25 - Dec 17, 2026 | Course registration open and close. Fees due in full at time of registration |
Nov 25 - Dec 17, 2026 | Practicum registration open and close. Fees due in full at time of registration |
Nov 26, 2026 | Last day to submit your application documents or complete entrance testing |
Jan 18 - Mar 26, 2027 | Course start and end |
Feb 1, 2027 | Last day to withdraw with full refund less $100 per course |
Feb 15, 2027 | Family Day, campus closed |
Feb 26, 2027 | Last day to withdraw with W grade |
Mar 26-29, 2027 | Easter break, college closed |
Mar 29 - Apr 23, 2027 | Practicum start and end |
Jun 4, 2027 | Convocation |
Date | Event |
---|---|
Oct 7, 2026 - Mar 11, 2027 | Applications open and close |
Mar 17 - Apr 15, 2027 | Course registration open and close. Fees due in full at time of registration. |
Mar 18, 2027 | Last day to submit your application documents or complete entrance testing |
Apr 26 - Jun 25, 2027 | Course start and end |
May 7, 2027 | Last day to withdraw with full refund less $100 per course. |
May 24, 2027 | Victoria Day, college closed |
Jun 1, 2027 | Last day to withdraw with W grade. |
Jul 1, 2027 | Canada Day, college closed |
Aug 2, 2027 | Civic Holiday, college closed |
If you need information on course planning or further support, please:
- email HSAcademic.Advisor@lakelandcollege.ca
- call 780 853 8661
- call toll-free at 1 800 661 6490 ext. 8661
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 working in early childhood education may qualify for provincial financial assistance. Check your respective province for more details and applications.
AlbertaSaskatchewan

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.