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Completing Your Certification (Alberta Learners Only)

A Message for Alberta Learners

Diplomas earned through Montessori Teachers College (Infant/Toddler, Early Childhood, or Elementary) typically qualify learners for Level 3 childcare certification in Ontario. However, due to a difference in certification standards, our college’s diplomas provide only Level 1 certification in the province of Alberta. We have been informed by the Alberta Ministry of Education that learners will be required to complete additional coursework in the following areas to meet provincial standards for Level 2 certification:

1 additional 45-hour course on the topic of Child Development

1 additional 45-hour course on the topic of Child-care Programming

2 additional 45-hour courses on the topic of Relationships in Early Childhood

These courses need to be taken at a recognized, public, post-secondary institution in Alberta. In an effort to keep our certification standards consistent and provide you with the highest quality educational outcomes, we have reached out to a number of colleges in Alberta to help bridge this certification gap.

Montessori Teachers College cannot guarantee that any particular path will ensure Level 2 certification, but can advise you based on our understanding. Two recommendations are outlined for learners below.

Option 1: Lethbridge Polytechnic

Montessori Teachers College has worked closely with Lethbridge Polytechnic to create an simple pathway to upgrading your certification. Four courses that we believe meet the province’s standards can be taken at Lethbridge Polytechnic as outlined below. Please note that Lethbridge Polytechnic and Montessori Teachers College are partnering only to provide this addition to our diploma programs and are not otherwise affiliated.

  1. Complete your coursework and assignments to the satisfaction of Montessori Teachers College, finishing your diploma program.
  2. Contact and register with Lethbridge College, enrolling as an Open Studies student and declaring no major.
  3. Register for and complete the following four courses to the satisfaction of Lethbridge College:
    1. PSY 1171: Child Growth and Development
    2. ECE 1156: Development Through Play
    3. ECE 1154: Guiding Children’s Behavior
    4. ECE 2254: Child, Family, and Community
  4. Contact the Child Care Staff Certification office in Alberta to have them conduct an individual assessment on your coursework.

Please be aware that gaining certification through this process is contingent on the results of the individual assessment conducted by the Child Care Staff Certification office. The Child Care Staff Certification office has the final say in certification decisions. The contact information for this office is provided below. 

Option 2: Other Colleges in Your Area

Should you not have access to Lethbridge College, you may follow this procedure:

  1. Complete your coursework and assignments to the satisfaction of Montessori Teachers College, finishing your diploma program.
  2. Find and register with a college or university that offers the following courses: 1 45-hour (3 credit) course in Child Development, 1 45-hour (3 credit) course in Childcare Programming, and 2 45-hour (3 credit) courses in Relationships. These can typically be found among a college or university’s Early Childcare courses. The institution must be a recognized public post-secondary institution in Alberta.
  3. Complete these courses to the satisfaction of your chosen institution. 
  4. Contact the Child Care Staff Certification office in Alberta to have them conduct an individual assessment on your coursework.

Please be aware there is not a formalized list of which courses count for this purpose and which do not. If you are not sure whether a program will satisfy provincial requirements, or if you have any questions about this process, please contact the government of Alberta Child Care Policy branch using the information below.

Alberta Child Care Staff Certification