Continuing Education

Child Development Practitioner - Apprenticeship

(formerly Early Childhood Educator)

Certificate of Apprenticeship
In Class Learning
Welland Campus
Start date: Fall / Winter / Spring

About This Program | Admission Requirements| Program Delivery |
Career Opportunities | Obtaining Your Certificate | For Further Information



About This Certificate

See the world through a child's eyes and enjoy the support of genuinely caring staff as you prepare to become a Child Development Practitioner.

Includes 720 hours of in-class instruction plus approximately 2.5 years working in an employer's establishment

About Apprenticeship Training

  • Apprenticeship training is recognized as one of the most efficient methods of training and educating skilled workers.
  • Apprentices develop competency on the job while employers provide the practical training. The College provides related academic training, in co-operation with the Apprenticeship and Services branch of the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities.
  • Once the apprentice has found an employer willing to train him or her, the employer and the apprentice sign a training agreement prepared by an Apprenticeship Branch consultant.
  • After an apprentice has been registered with the Ministry of Training (MTCU), he or she is listed at Niagara College.
  • Apprentices should contact the Office of the Registrar to register for individual courses and pay fees.

Note: Applicants for Apprenticeship Programs do not apply to Niagara College via Ontario Colleges.

For information about applying to Apprenticeship Programs, please contact Apprenticeship Client Services, Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities.

Admission Requirements

Note: Fees are paid on a per course basis.

Minimum Admission Requirements for 2010-11:

  • Ontario Secondary School Diploma, or Grade 12 equivalency, AND
  • employment in a child care setting supervised by a qualified Early Childhood Educator.

Program Delivery

The courses in this diploma are offered in-class at the Welland Campus.

Students may begin term one courses in fall, winter or spring. Courses within each term may be taken in any order with the exception of those courses requiring pre-requisites.

Ideally, the diploma may be completed within 5 years.

Students must be accepted into the Child Development Practitioner - Apprenticeship program in order to enrol in courses in this curriculum.

Prerequisites may be required for these courses. Please refer to individual course descriptions for specific requirements.

Career Opportunities

Registered Apprenticeships may find work in:

  • Childcare Centres
  • Family Resource Programs
  • Ontario Early Years Centres

Obtaining Your Certificate (Application for Graduation)

Upon completion of all requirements, the student must complete an “Application For Graduation” form available from the Registrar’s Office.

If the student wishes to have their certificate presented to them at convocation ceremony in the Fall, there is a $25 fee.

Application, accompanied by fee (if applicable) must be forwarded to Registration and Records, Office of the Registrar before the application deadline.

For further information, contact:

Niagara College Registrar’s Office
Email: registrar@niagaracollege.ca
905-735-2211, Ext 7500

How to Obtain Your Early Childhood Education Diploma

Once you hold your Certificate of ECE Apprenticeship, you can obtain your ECE Diploma from Niagara College by taking the following five bridging courses.

For Further Information

Niagara College Continuing Education
Email: ce@niagaracollege.ca
Web: www.niagaracollege.ca/ce
Phone: 905-735-2211, ext. 7510.

Note: Applicants do not apply to Niagara College via Ontario Colleges.

For more information about applying to Apprenticeship Programs, please see below:

Niagara College Apprenticeship Information
Phone: 905-735-2211 ext. 7457

Ministry of Training and Colleges and Universities:
(Local apprenticeship office)
Apprenticeships and Client Services
301 St. Paul Street, 9th floor
St. Catharines, ON
L2R 7R4
Telephone: 905-704-2991
www.tcu.gov.on.ca/eng/employmentontario/training/