Early Childhood Education

Designed for those passionate about shaping young minds, our comprehensive Early Childhood Education certificate program equips you with the necessary skills, knowledge, and practical experience to significantly impact various early childhood education settings. 

You will gain a thorough understanding of early childhood education, focusing on care for children from newborn to age 12, ensuring a well-rounded perspective on child development. 

You will benefit from a unique mix of classroom instruction and hands-on experience. In community settings, engage directly with children, families, and other early childhood education (ECE) professionals. 

In this program, you will:  

• learn to establish and maintain safe, respectful, and inclusive play environments by nurturing young children, supporting their families and engaging with communities to foster ongoing learning and growth 
• cultivate a foundational understanding of child development, including effective strategies, best practices, and the design of responsive, relationship-based learning environments 
• become proficient in essential skills like communication, observation, documentation, digital literacy, behaviour management, problem-solving, and collaboration, all crucial for supporting the holistic development and well-being of children under your care 
• gain frameworks and perspectives, including Flight (Alberta’s early learning and care framework) and broaden your perspective on key concepts such as wellness, development, equity, diversity, inclusion, reconciliation, ethics, and child-centred learning within the ECE environment. 

As a graduate, you’ll be a well-equipped Early Childhood Education professional, ready to take on challenging roles and make a positive difference in the lives of children and their families.

Your comprehensive training will position you at the forefront of early childhood education, ready to contribute to the field with innovative ideas and practices. 

This program is ideal for those looking to start or advance their careers in early childhood education, who are passionate about child development, and who are seeking to make a meaningful impact in the early years of a child’s life. 

Embark on this rewarding journey and shape the future by nurturing the minds and hearts of the youngest learners.

Traits, Skills and Aptitudes

Early childhood educators are social, methodical and directive. 

You Need:  

• to be playful, sensitive, and caring toward children 
• initiative and enthusiasm 
• resilience, persistence, and the ability to regulate your emotions 
• critical-thinking skills 
• to model respectful behaviour and language 
• a healthy lifestyle and physical fitness
• to prioritize ethical decision-making and practice 
• consistent, positive strategies to guide children’s behaviour 
• to plan for, observe, engage with, and support children’s play and learning 
• to communicate and work respectfully with children, parents, caregivers and other professionals 
• to document interactions with children, parents, caregivers and other professionals clearly 
• to take time to learn about each child and create a curriculum based on that learning. 

You should enjoy taking a creative and open-minded approach to your work and building relationships with people, especially children. You should be at ease taking responsibility and supervising others. 

You are strongly encouraged to refer to the ALIS website for career, learning, and employment information for early childhood educators to ensure you can successfully meet the occupational requirements for the program and profession.

Academic Path

The opportunity to advance your education by transferring into this program or gain credit for previous postsecondary courses may be available.

There may also be opportunities to further your education once you graduate.Practicum, co-op and work integrated learning

In this program, you’ll participate in two practicum work placements that will combine professional observation, practical experience and integrated theory classes.

You will be assigned practicum placements with consideration given to your preference of location. 

However, due to limited availability in Calgary, it might be necessary for you to travel or relocate outside the city.

Special considerations will not be accommodated. You will be responsible for covering the associated fees of the practicum, including entrance requirements, relocation, and travel costs.

In compliance with the practica agreements with our clinical partners, you will be required to provide specific documentation before you can participate in your practicum. Find out what requirements you need for this program. 

Accreditations, Designations and Certifications

Graduates are eligible to apply for the Level 2 - Early Childhood Educator Certification. 

Credentials

Upon successful completion of this program, you’ll receive a SAIT Early Childhood Education certificate.

Careers and Opportunities

Our graduates may work in the following occupations. Some careers require additional experience and education.