Completing Your Certification (Alberta Learners Only)

Diplomas earned through Montessori Teachers College (Infant Toddler and Early Childhood,) typically qualify learners for Level 3 childcare certification in Ontario. However, due to a difference in certification standards, our college’s diplomas provide 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 worked with Lethbridge Polytechnic 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.

Montessori Teachers College has worked closely with Lethbridge Polytechnic to create a 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. Fees or tuition paid to one institution for any reason do not satisfy fees or tuition owed to the other institution.

1. Ensure you are either currently enrolled/accepted and are fully registered in a Montessori Teachers College diploma program, or are a graduate of a Montessori Teachers College diploma program.

2. Check Lethbridge’s Application Dates & Deadlines

3. Submit Your Application to Lethbridge Polytechnic

a. Watch the Lethbridge Polytechnic Application Video to learn how to complete your application

i. Start your application through ApplyAlberta.ca.

ii. On Step 4 of the application process, select Open Studies as your program.

iii. On Step 7 of the application process, you will be required to submit a payment via credit card (Visa or MasterCard). The application fee for Canadian Citizens or permanent residents is $100.

4. Application Next Steps

a. A few days after applying, you will get an email from the Lethbridge Admission department with your login information to access your Office 365 and Self Service Account.

b. Once you have your Lethbridge Polytechnic Student ID, complete the Registration Form found here and send it to [email protected]

i. Please ensure you select the terms and the year you would like to take your courses

5. Registration Next Steps

a. The Human Services and Registration Team will register you in the courses as you have indicated.

i. They will enroll you in online course sections. If you wish to enroll in courses at the Lethbridge Polytechnic main campus, please reach out to Human Services when submitting your form to indicate your preference. Availability of courses on the main campus may vary.

b. You will receive an email once you have been successfully registered.

6. Upon graduation from this program, contact the Child Care Staff Certification office in Alberta.

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, and can be contacted at [email protected]. 

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

1. Ensure you are either currently enrolled/accepted and are fully registered in a Montessori Teachers College diploma program, or are a graduate of a Montessori Teachers College 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.

Please note that any fees or tuition paid to Montessori Teachers College for any reason do not satisfy fee or tuition requirements at your chosen institution, nor do fees paid at your chosen institution satisfy requirements of Montessori Teachers College.

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 at [email protected].

Email: [email protected]