Certification

Certification is the process used to review post-secondary education and equivalent training to better determine an individual's eligibility to work in Alberta's regulated child care system. The Ministry of Children and Family Services issues certification for all three levels of early childhood educators (ECEs) able to work in licensed/approved programs in Alberta.

Parents, as a child’s first teacher, and a child's caregiver play important roles in the development of a child's early growth and development and this partnership between the two is significant. ECEs that have a foundational knowledge of early learning and child care (ELCC) can help to create better outcomes for all children and their families.

AECEA advocates for new certification standards for ECEs that will increase their required ELCC educational level and that they also undertake ongoing professional learning to strengthen their competency in the following areas:

Are you interested in increasing your certification level? Take a look at the ELCC post-secondary options in Alberta here.

Certification Office

Transcripts can be sent to:

Child Care Staff Certification Office
Alberta Children and Family Services
Sterling Place, 9940 106 Street NW
Edmonton, Alberta T5K 2N2

Please do not send your transcripts to the AECEA office.

Please note, AECEA is not involved in the certification of early childhood educators. Please contact the Alberta Child Care Staff Certification Office if you have questions related to certification.

Certification FAQ

What are the certification levels?

There are three certification levels in Alberta:

Do I need to be certified to work in child care?

If you are looking to work in a licensed day care program, out-of-school care program, or pre-school program you need to be certified. Child care staff must be certified within 6 months of employment and must not have unsupervised access to children until certified.

Once you apply, your application will be reviewed to determine if you are eligible for one of the 3 levels of child care staff certification:

*Children's Services website - April 25, 2022 (Child Care Staff Certification Guide (April 25, 2022))

*AECEA makes every effort to ensure this information is up to date. Please consult original documentation/website to confirm accuracy*

What are the language proficiency requirements for Level 2 & 3 Certification?

An approved language proficiency assessment is required for certification as a Level 2 or 3 Early Childhood Educator unless an individual’s education was completed in a country where English or French is the primary language of instruction throughout all levels of schooling.

The countries below have been identified as providing instruction in English throughout all levels of schooling

If the education was completed in a country not listed below, a language proficiency assessment is required.

British Virgin Islands

St. Kitts and Nevis

Trinidad and Tobago

United States of America

Language proficiency assessments accepted for certification:

Level 7 must be achieved in all areas (reading, writing, listening, speaking)
Website: www.celpip.ca
Toll free phone: 1-800-958-5186

A score of 6 must be achieved in all areas (reading, writing, listening, speaking) .
Website: www.ielts.org

What are the recognized educational equivalencies for certification?

45-hour (3 credit) college-level course in early learning and child care

Early Learning and Child Care certificate

Early Learning and Child Care diploma

Child Care Orientation Course (Alberta government sponsored course)

Disability Studies diploma

Alberta Teaching Certificate

CCS 3110-3150 offered though Career and Technology Studies at Alberta high schools

Educational Assistant diploma

Bachelor of Child Studies Degree

The Step Ahead Family Day Home Training or Family Child Care Training Program

Bachelor of Science in Human Ecology - family ecology major

Bachelor of Education: 4-year degree or 2-year after degree

Bachelor of Kinesiology (B.Kin.) or Kinesiology diploma

Child and Youth Care diploma or degree

Community Rehabilitation degree or Rehabilitation Assistant diploma

Bachelor of Social Work degree

Therapeutic Recreation diploma or degree

Social Work diploma

Individuals who have completed some related coursework but have not received an educational credential may be assessed against the content and hours from Alberta early learning and child care certificate and diploma programs.

*Children's Services website - April 25, 2022 (Child Care Staff Certification Guide (April 2022))

What are the requirements to obtain each certification level?

Level 1 Early Childhood Educator

You will be eligible to receive Level 1 Early Childhood Educator certification upon completion of one of the following: