Éducation à la petite enfance (Diploma)

General information

The Early Childhood Education Diploma is a two-year program that prepares students for employment as specialists (managers, supervisors or special educators) in the early childhood field. Once the diploma is completed, the student will be able to apply to the Ministry of Children’s Services for certification as a Childcare development supervisor.

The program offers a combination of theoretical courses and practical internships to help students develop the skills they need for a variety of early childhood settings. The student will be able to understand the stages of child development, observation and communication strategies and ethics in the workplace, all in a child-centred approach and understanding of the world around them. The student will also acquire skills in behaviour management and interventions with children with special needs.

In order to graduate, the student must successfully complete the program requirements and maintain an average of 2.0.

Courses

Students must validate their 1st year courses and practicum (Certificate) if they intend to continue their training for a Diploma in 2nd year.

All students in the Diploma program will be enrolled in 10 courses and 2 mandatory practicum.

Practicum

• EPE 250 - Stage III
• EPE 251 - Stage IV

Requirements for practicum

In order to be eligible for practicum, the student must meet the following requirements:

• Successful completion of the EPE 102  course, prior to the practicum.
• Submit a current Police Information Check that includes a Vulnerable Sector Search. A student who is unable to provide a satisfactory certificate will not be able to participate in the practicum. Students applying to enter the program and concerned about possible certification should contact the Alberta College Centre staff as soon as they are admitted to the program.
• A valid certificate in immediate care in resuscitation is strongly recommended by the Alberta College Centre. Some employers require this certificate for the internship, so it is recommended that you obtain it so as not to limit your potential internship placement sites.

Withdrawal from internships by students

1. Before the deadline for withdrawal (Add/Drop)
   Students who wish to withdraw from an internship may do so without penalty, provided they meet the deadline for withdrawal (Add/Drop).
   Due to the unique nature of internships and the complexity of the placement process, withdrawal is permitted on the condition that the program’s internship coordinator is notified in advance.
2. After the deadline for withdrawal (Add/Drop) 
   Students who withdraw from an internship after the deadline for withdrawal (Add/Drop) will normally receive a grade of “W”. Before withdrawing, they must contact the program’s internship coordinator.
   When serious, exceptional circumstances beyond the student’s control have adversely affected their performance in the internship and led to their withdrawal and/or failure, the CCA Director may decide not to assign a “W” grade, but rather the grade “IN” (Incomplete), and not to count the withdrawal. This exception is granted when the student is able to provide documentation demonstrating the existence of such circumstances. A solution for retaking the course will be evaluated and proposed to the student.
3. Re-enrollment after withdrawal from an internship 
   Students who have withdrawn from an internship may re-register for the course provided they follow these rules:

• Students who have withdrawn from an internship, regardless of the date of withdrawal, must first contact the program’s internship coordinator. Failure to do so will result in withdrawal from the early childhood education diploma program.
• Students who withdraw from an internship after the deadline for withdrawal (Add/Drop) and receive a grade of “W” must obtain permission from the Alberta College Centre before re-registering for the associated course.
• The number of withdrawals from a practicum is limited to one (1) for the entire program. Students who have already withdrawn from an internship after it has begun, whether before or after the Add/Drop deadline, and who withdraw again from an internship (before or after the Add/Drop deadline) must withdraw from the early childhood education diploma program. 

Dismissal of a student by the internship provider

Students enrolled in internships that are part of the early childhood education degree program must act in a professional, ethical, respectful, and responsible manner. They represent their institution within the organizations that graciously agree to host them so that they can successfully complete their studies.

In this regard, students whose behavior leads the internship site to terminate their internship due to failure to fulfill their obligations and responsibilities, despite warnings issued to the student and the internship coordinator, will be immediately withdrawn from the course without the possibility of continuing their internship at another site. In addition, students who are expelled from an internship setting due to failure to fulfill their obligations and responsibilities will have to withdraw permanently from the program without the possibility of re-enrolling. The student may appeal the decision by contacting the director of the Alberta College Center, following the Alberta College Center’s procedure.