Early Childhood Education Level II Certificate - January 2026 2025-2026
Overview
This Early Childhood Education (ECE) program offered in cooperation with Lakeland College gives you the knowledge and skills you need to work in a variety of child care settings. The ECE program integrates current research on early childhood education into all of your courses. You'll develop strong communication, observation and documentation skills. Program length is one year for the level II certificate. Upon successful completion you may choose to advance to earn your level III diploma.
You will receive well-rounded training in:
- Communication
- Play
- Early Childhood Professionalism
- Health, Safety and Nutrition
- Human Development
- Exploring Exceptionalities
- Positive Behaviour Supports
- Creative and Applied Curriculum
- Practical Experience
A full description of each course is outlined below in "Courses"
Students must be able to travel to 2 practicum placements each academic year. Each placement is approximately 20 days. Placements are typically located in North Battleford and sometimes Battleford.
Note: After successfully completing the required courses, you will apply to the Government of Saskatchewan to receive your certificate in Early Childhood Education level II.
January 26, 2026 to Oct. 16, 2026
Program session #514517.
Battlefords Campus
Jan 26th, 2026 - Oct 16th, 2026 Full-time
Tuition: $4900.00 (subject to change)
Application Fee of $35.00
Books: $1950.00 (subject to change)
Print Fee: $50.00
Admission Requirements
- High school diploma with a minimum 50% in English A30 or 65% in English B30.
- A criminal record check (with a vulnerable sector check) is required and you are responsible for requesting one through the RCMP in your hometown. The cost may vary. Based on the information received, students may be denied entrance into the program.
Courses
-
Communication Skills
This communications course focuses on the development of academic and practical Human Services related writing skills. Students develop critical thinking skills and strategies for integrating their own ideas with those of other authors following APA guidelines for quoting, paraphrasing, and summarizing source material. Students also develop skills in resume and cover letter writing, and in crafting other written documents used in the human services related workplace. Pre/co-requisites: None
-
Early Childhood Professionalism
This course explores values, attitudes, ethics, and commitment involved in working professionally with young children and families. Roles and responsibilities, conflict resolution, and how to be a professional team member are examined. An appreciation of family encourages and enhances student's self-awareness and ability to interact respectfully with children and families. Professional interactions involving interviewing skills and making presentations are practiced. Pre/co-requisites: None -
Health, Safety and Nutrition
This course examines the health, safety, and nutrition needs of young children. It includes practical applications for supporting these needs in an early childhood environment.
Pre/co-requisites: None
-
Lifespan Studies I
This course provides students with an understanding of the developing child from birth to five years. It traces the changes that occur physically, socially, emotionally, and intellectually during this period in an individual's life. Pre/co-requisites: None
-
Observation & Play
This course is an overview of the significance of play in the development of the child. It includes the nature and development of play in the environment and explores how early childhood educators co-construct meaningful play experiences with the child and their family. Special consideration is given to observing, designing responsive environments and focusing on children's natural disposition to learn in both indoor and outdoor play spaces. Pre/co-requisites: None
-
Positive Behaviour Supports
The course includes an examination of attitudes, values, and skills within a holistic approach to support social and emotional development in terms of positive behaviour. Opportunities for examining the dynamics of behaviour are provided. This course also discusses various strategies to support the development of social and emotional skills and pro-social behaviour. Prerequisites: None.
-
Art, Music and Movement Experiences
This course is an exploration of curriculum planning, implementation and evaluation in the areas of art, games, movement and music. These areas are explored within the framework of a play oriented, emergent curriculum approach. This approach enables students to design and implement experiences for children. Students are provided the opportunity to acquire strategies for supporting the development of children in early learning, school and community settings. Pre/co-requisites: None
-
Literacy, Math and Science Experiences
This course is an exploration of planning, implementation and evaluation in the areas of children’s literature, language arts, math and science. Students have the opportunity to observe, research, design and implement experiences with children using a play orientated, emergent curriculum approach. Emphasis is placed on supporting the developmental needs of children in early learning, school and community settings. Prerequisite: HS 180.
-
Family Studies
This course is an introduction to the Family. The focus of this course includes various ways of viewing family, diversity, economics, and social influences that determine the family's ability to thrive in society. Students have the opportunity to explore different theoretical ways of viewing the family. The course also explores issues of marriage, variations in families, parenting, crises, separation, divorce, and remarriage as well as provides practical suggestions in working with families as they face many challenges. Pre/co-requisites: None
-
ECE Practicum I
This course is a beginning practicum with emphasis on observation and practical experience in working with children. Students begin programming based on observations of children's needs and interests. Students incorporate Early Learning and Child Care philosophy in a work place experience. P/F. Prerequisites: None. Co-requisites: Students must have completed or be in the process of successfully completing 4 courses including HS 180 with an overall GPA of 2.0 or greater.
-
ECE Practicum II
This course is an advanced practicum with emphasis on programming based on observation of children's needs and interests. Students incorporate Early Learning and Child Care philosophy in a work place experience. P/F. Prerequisite: ED 109. Co-requisites: Students must have completed or be in the process of successfully completing 8 courses with an overall GPA of 2.0 or greater.
-
Infant and Toddler Care
This course is designed to link the theoretical base of infant development to the planning, implementation, and evaluation of home based and group settings for infants and toddlers. It examines responsive caregiving practices, early learning environments, and development of this age group. Pre/co-requisites: None