Early Childhood Education Diploma at Lethbridge Polytechnic - Program overview

Program overview

Admission Requirements

Intakes

Last updated on 2025-07-30

Program overview

Are you passionate about working with children? The Early Childhood Education diploma program at Lethbridge Polytechnic is designed for individuals eager to become early childhood educators. This program prepares you to nurture and support the development of young children through a blend of theoretical knowledge and practical application. With over 30 years of experience in delivering Early Childhood Education programming, Lethbridge Polytechnic ensures that students receive a current and evidence-based education. Graduates of this program are certified to work as Level 3 Early Childhood Educators, making a significant impact in the lives of children and their families.

Program structure

The Early Childhood Education diploma program is structured to provide a comprehensive education over a two-year period. The program includes:

Engaged and responsive instructors who guide students through both theory and practical application.
A total of 776 hours of hands-on experience through practicum placements.
Flexible programming options, allowing students to choose between on-campus and online learning formats.
Courses that are aligned with the Alberta Early Learning and Child Care curriculum.

This program is available for international students and offers various start dates, including September, January, and May for online study. The second year primarily consists of online theory courses complemented by in-person practicums, ensuring that students gain valuable real-world experience.

Featured Experiences

The Early Childhood Education diploma program offers several unique features that enhance the learning experience:

Practicum placements: Students gain practical experience in real-world settings, spending 97 days learning on the job.
Access to an outdoor play space for hands-on learning and development.
Engagement with multidisciplinary perspectives from instructors, enriching the educational experience.
Approval for licensing in most provinces and territories, ensuring graduates are well-prepared for employment.

Career Options

Graduates of the Early Childhood Education diploma program can pursue a variety of rewarding career opportunities in Canada, including:

Before and After School Program Coordinator: Oversee and manage programs that provide care and activities for children outside of regular school hours.
Child Care Centre Educator: Work in licensed child care facilities, providing care and educational activities for young children.
Early Learning Program Facilitator: Design and implement educational programs for preschool-aged children, focusing on developmental milestones.
Kindergarten Teacher: Teach foundational skills to children in their first year of formal education, fostering a love for learning.
Family Group Care Provider: Offer personalized care and education in a home-based setting, catering to the needs of families.

With a strong demand for skilled early childhood educators, graduates can expect to find numerous job opportunities shortly after completing their studies.

DISCLAIMER: The information above is subject to change. For the latest updates, please contact LOA Portal's advisors.

Visit Lethbridge Polytechnic official website

Last updated on 2025-07-30

Program overview

Academic Requirements

International applications are evaluated on a competitive basis, taking into account factors such as grades, English language proficiency, and campus diversity.

As part of the admissions process, you need to send your transcripts and proof of the academic credentials you have earned to date to the Lethbridge Polytechnic Admissions Office.

Certified official documents issued by your high school, college or university sent in a sealed envelope bearing the institution’s seal, stamp or signature are required. Certified English translations for all documents originally written in a language other than English must be supplied. Translations must be complete, word-for-word and in the same format as the original document.

Note: No academic credentials or transcripts are required for English as a Second Language studies.

Transcripts may be required to be evaluated by WES in some cases.

For international students, the following relevant documents are required based on your country:

Afghanistan: Baccalauria
Bangladesh: Higher Secondary Certificate
China, People's Republic of: Senior Secondary Graduation Certificate
India: Senior School Certificate; Higher Secondary School Certificate; Intermediate Certificate
Malaysia: Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) and Sijil Tinggi Pelarajan Malaysia (STPM)
Vietnam: Bang Tot Nghiep Pho Thong (Diploma of Completion of Secondary School)

For any clarification and support regarding the Academic Requirements, please contact LOA Portal's advisors.

Language Requirements

An international applicant or exchange student must present qualifications comparable to those of Canadian applicants, which include meeting the English language proficiency requirement.

For the Early Childhood Education Diploma program, the following English language proficiency tests and scores are accepted:

IELTS Academic: 6.0; no band below 6.0
TOEFL iBT: 80
PTE (Pearson) Academic: 54
CAEL: 60; 60 in Writing, 50 in all other bands
Cambridge English Qualifications: C1 Advanced: Minimum score of 169, and a minimum 169 in each sub score.
Cambridge English Qualifications: C2 Proficiency: Minimum score of 169, and a minimum 169 in each sub score.
Cambridge English Qualifications: B2 First: Minimum score of 169, and a minimum 169 in each sub score.
Duolingo: 110
Grade 12 English: Minimum English 30-2 or equivalent from a recognized country*
1 post-secondary English course: From an accredited English-speaking post-secondary institution from a recognized country*
English for Academic Purposes (EAP): Minimum C grade in EAP 0096, 0097, 0098 at Lethbridge Polytechnic
Full-time secondary studies in English: Successful completion of 3 years of full-time secondary education at an English-medium school in a recognized country within 2 years prior to application*
Full-time post-secondary studies in English: Successful completion of 1 year of full-time post-secondary education at an English-medium school in a recognized country within 2 years prior to application*

Please check with our team for more details.

DISCLAIMER: The information above is subject to change. For the latest updates, please contact LOA Portal's advisors. The listed minimum requirements are a guideline and do not guarantee admission. Do not worry, we will notify you of any changes during the application process.

Not meeting the minimum language requirements?

You may still be able to apply!

Last updated on 2025-12-06

Program overview