Early Childhood Education Certificate

Students in the online certificate program are strongly encouraged to contact the Early Childhood Education Practicum Co-ordinator upon their admission to the program to inquire about the process for setting up practicum placements. This process can take two to three months and there are deadlines that must be adhered to. All students are held to the same deadlines and requirements and failure to meet those deadlines and/or requirements may result in a delay in being able to complete a practicum placement. Depending upon when a student is admitted to the program for online study, they may not be able to complete a practicum course in the first semester.

Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) Requirements

This program includes a required Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) placement. Lethbridge Polytechnic establishes the legal terms and conditions governing WIL participation.

Students must meet and maintain specific requirements set by the program, host organizations, and/or government regulations. These may include:

• Health requirements (e.g., immunizations, screening tests)
• Privacy and security requirements (e.g., Police Information Check, IT access)
• Occupational Health and Safety requirements (e.g., CPR certification, Fire Safety, WHMIS, mask fit-testing)

An organization may suspend a student’s placement if the organization considers such action reasonably necessary in the best interests of the organization or its clients.

Security Clearance

Participation in WIL placements may require a Police Information Check or other security clearance, to the satisfaction of both Lethbridge Polytechnic and the host organization.

WIL Agreements

Organizations that host students for WIL placements must have a WIL agreement with Lethbridge Polytechnic. This agreement helps ensure expectations are clear and protects the interests of the student, the host organization, and the Polytechnic.

Workers’ Compensation Coverage

Students registered in and attending an academic course or program at Lethbridge Polytechnic and during WIL placements are considered workers of the Government of Alberta and are typically covered by Alberta Workers’ Compensation Board (WCB) on the Government of Alberta account. (https://www.wcb.ab.ca/assets/pdfs/workers/WFS_Student_coverage.pdf)

In some circumstances, WCB coverage may not apply—for example, for non-Alberta residents or non-Canadian citizens completing distance learning with a placement outside Alberta. Students in these situations should contact the program before applying for placement.  Alternative insurance coverage is available from Lethbridge Polytechnic for those situations.

Accessibility and Accommodations

Students who require accommodations should contact Accessibility Services at Lethbridge Polytechnic, preferably upon acceptance to the program and no later than one week prior to the start of the academic term. Students who fail to consult with Accessibility Services in a timely manner may affect placement opportunities and success in the WIL setting.

Accessibility Services may collaborate with WIL supervisors to determine appropriate accommodations that do not compromise client safety, essential placement requirements, or mandatory licensing processes.

Placement Locations and Scheduling

Placements may occur in Lethbridge, surrounding rural communities, or other approved locations, depending on site availability. Placements may include day, evening, and/or weekend schedules.

Students are responsible for travel to their assigned placement sites and any associated costs.

Employment and Professional Regulation

Completion of a WIL placement does not guarantee employment with the host organization.

Some professions are regulated by provincial or other governing bodies. These processes are outside the control of Lethbridge Polytechnic. Completion of a WIL placement and graduation from the program do not guarantee licensure or admission to a regulatory body. Students with concerns about licensing requirements should consult the relevant regulatory body.

Fitness to Practice

Students are responsible for ensuring they are mentally and physically prepared to participate safely in Work Integrated Learning (WIL) activities. By attending a WIL placement or activity, students are declaring their Fitness to Practice, as outlined in the Student Guide for Fitness to Practice, and their ability to engage in learning without compromising their own safety or the safety of others.

The Early Childhood Education programs are available through on-campus delivery, which may include some blended delivery components, as well as a fully online delivery.

Blended

This program includes both face-to-face/on-campus and online delivery in both synchronous (learning occurs in real-time on a set schedule) and asynchronous (learning does not occur at the same time or same place) formats.

On Campus

This program is delivered in a face-to-face format on the main Lethbridge Polytechnic campus. Lectures, labs and hands-on training opportunities will all take place on campus in Lethbridge.

Online

This program is fully delivered online with both synchronous (learning occurs in real-time on a set schedule) and asynchronous (learning does not occur at the same time or same place) components.