Early Childhood Development

The many opportunities we offer for students include on-campus part-time study, on-campus evening courses, regional classes, distance education courses, and courses by video conference.

On-campus Evening Courses

There is a minimum of one first year evening course offered each semester on-campus in Grande Prairie; a second year course is often offered. Check the Grande Prairie newspaper for details or contact the Early Childhood Development Department. If you know at least seven people who want a specific course at a specific time - let us know! We will try to accommodate your request!

On-campus Part-time Study

Part-time students are welcomed and encouraged! If you want to take one or two courses consult Student Services to receive a schedule.

Regional Delivery

We offer regional courses in areas such as Peace River, High Prairie, Fairview, Beaverlodge, Slave Lake, Barrhead, Westlock, Jasper, Hinton, and Grande Cache. We will offer courses in other communities if there is a demand. If you have a group of eight or more students in your area that would like to take an early childhood course please contact us! If your group needs a particular course we may be able to meet that need. Please see the list of first and second year E.C.D. courses.

DID YOU KNOW...

  • You can study full time on campus or take advantage of the regional courses we offer to part-time students?
  • You can transfer to all Early Childhood Development Programmes in accredited Alberta Colleges?
  • You can receive credit for your ECD studies programme if studying at the University of Alberta Faculty of Education, the University of Victoria Faculty of Child Care or at the University of Saskatchewan?
  • You may be able to complete your practicum in your work place?
  • That, with early childhood training, you can be employed as a day care worker, teacher assistant in an ECS programme, support worker for a child with special needs, nursery school teacher, or can operate your own family day home, or pursue other career opportunities?
  • That most of our students are employed in jobs related to their training; others continue their education?

Distance Delivery

Most of our courses are available through distance education. These courses are for students who live in remote areas and cannot access classroom instruction, or for those students who are close to completing their diploma programme.

Courses include:

CD1000 Child Development I
CD1010 Intro. to Early Childhood Development
CD1020 Health, Nutrition and Safety
CD1050 Programming I
CD1100 Child Development II
CD1130 Communications
CD1150 programming II
CD1170 Learning Through Play
CD1217 Language Enhancement
CD2000 Child Development III
CD2010 Historical Perspectives
CD2050 Programming III
CD2070 Infant Toddler Care
CD2090 Child Family Relations
CD2100 Exceptional Child
CD2110 Parent Involvement
CD2130 Issues & Options in Child Care
CD2020 Environments (with Practicum IV)

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

To be accepted into the full-time, on-campus program, you must be at least 18 years of age and have a High School Diploma with 60 per cent in English 30 or 65 per cent in English 33 or their equivalents.

You are expected to submit an essay which outlines the reasons you are applying to the program, related work and personal experiences as well as specific career goals. You will attend a group information session with fellow applicants and faculty of the Early Childhood Development Department.

If you are 21 years of age or older and do not have these prerequisites, you should contact the Early Childhood Development Department at 539-2750 for admission testing. Specific achievement on the admission test is necessary before acceptance into the program is granted.

All students are required to obtain a criminal record check prior to the first day practicum.

Programme Content

Year I

CD1000 Child Development I
CD1010 Intro. to Early Childhood Education
CD1020 Health, Nutrition and Safety
CD1040 Practicum I
CD1050 Programming I
CD1060 Seminar I
CD1080 Personal Development I
CD1100 Child Development II
CD1130 Communications
CD1140 Practicum II
CD1150 Programming II
CD1160 Seminar II
CD1170 Learning Through Play
CD1217 Language Enhancement

Year II

CD2000 Child Development III
CD2010 Historical Perspectives
CD2020 Environments
CD2040 Practicum III
CD2050 Programing III
CD2060 Seminar III
CD2070 Infant Toddler Care
CD2080 Personal Development II
CD2090 Child Family Relations
CD2100 Exceptional Child
CD2110 Parent Involvement
CD2130 Issues and Options in Child Care
CD2140 Practicum IV
CD2160 Seminar IV
First Aid in Child Care Certificate

Government of Alberta Day Care Certification

  • Upon successful completion of a specific 3-credit, 45 hour course, students are eligible for Level One Certification.
  • Upon successful completion of the first year of the programme, students are eligible for Level Two certification.
  • Upon successful completion of the second year of the programme, students are eligible for Level Three certification.
  • The Early Childhood Development programme helps students to acquire the skills, knowledge and attitudes necessary to provide quality care for young children.
  • The Early Childhood Development programme is designed to prepare students to work as professionals in a variety of child care settings. Graduates of this programme may find employment in day cares, play schools, day-homes, out of school care programmes or in kindergartens as teaching assistants.

The Early Childhood Development programme provides a balance of theory and practice. Students spend time in the college classroom and time in practicum placements including ECS (kindergarten), day care, preschool, and other early childhood settings.

For further information please contact:

Kathy Weber, Administrative Assistant
Early Childhood Development Dept.
Grande Prairie Regional College
10726-106 Avenue
Grande Prairie AB T8V 4C4
(780) 539-2753 or (780) 539-2750
Facsimile (780) 539-2751