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Schedule time with SarahJayne
LocationOnline
CredentialDiploma
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.

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:

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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