Overview

In Manitoba, it's a requirement for Child Care Assistants (CCAs) and licensed home-based child care providers to complete a 40-hour early childhood education course within their first year of employment.

Assiniboine is now offering several new and accelerated options for one of the CCA-accredited courses - the Overview of Early Childhood. This is made possible by a recent investment from both the Province of Manitoba and the Government of Canada.

This initiative from Assiniboine will provide new CCAs and licensed home-based childcare providers with a faster and more efficient means of obtaining their required certification. The Overview of Early Childhood course is a vital component in helping new professionals develop an understanding of the foundational concepts and principles of early childhood education. This is critical as they start working with children and families.

By partnering with the government, Assiniboine is making early childhood education more accessible to individuals in Manitoba who want to pursue a career in child care. This investment demonstrates the government's commitment to providing quality early childhood education services to the community and preparing individuals for this important field.

In addition to Assiniboine's new accelerated in-person delivery for Overview of Early Childhood, we offer Overview of Early Childhood (ECED-0054) as well as two other CCA-accredited courses, Curriculum Planning 1 (ECED-0053) and Health Nutrition & Safety 1 (ECED-0055), in a distance delivery format.

ECE Expansion

Early Learning Training and Education Programs

Assiniboine will offer six new programs, made possible by an $11.4 million investment from the Province of Manitoba and the Government of Canada. These programs complement our early learning and child care training and education offerings.

Learn More

Admissions

​​​​​There are no admission requirements.

If you are an international student (e.g., on a study permit, work visa, visitor visa, or otherwise), you may apply to this program; however, due to the length of the program, you will not be eligible for a post-graduation work permit program. Please note that registration in any in-person offering of this course is at a price different than what is stated in the distance fee table.

In-Person

You required to complete an online application, including a CCA Registration Form.

Distance

​​​​​There are no admission requirements.

To view upcoming course offerings, visit the "Distance Education" tab of this program webpage. To register, complete a Continuing Studies Registration Form

Careers & Connections

Careers

Child Care Assistants can be employed by all childcare and education facilities in Manitoba.

Connections

The Overview of Childcare course, with Curriculum Planning 1, is eligible for a transfer of credit into the Early Childhood Education program with a grade of 66 (C+) or higher. 

Tools & Supplies

All course material is provided.

Technology Requirements

Students in this program are required to bring their own laptop.

 

Courses & Costs

The Overview of Early Childhood course provides an overview of the field of early childhood education. Students are introduced to a variety of early childhood settings directly through five days of practical experience and indirectly through coursework. Comparisons are made of routines, schedules, activities and the role of staff within the settings. Influences on early childhood education outside of the setting are identified and described. 

To view the new accelerated in-person delivery options near you, visit the 'Locations' tab.

Distance Education

In addition to Assiniboine's new accelerated in-person delivery for Overview of Early Childhood, we offer two other CCA-accredited courses, Curriculum Planning 1 and Health Nutrition & Safety 1, in a distance delivery format. 

Overview of Early Childhood (ECED-0054)

Students are introduced to a variety of early childhood settings directly through five days of practical experience and indirectly through course work. Comparisons are made of routines, schedules, activities and the role of staff within the settings.

Health Nutrition & Safety 1 (ECED-0055)

This course introduces students to the basic principles and practices of good health promotion, occupational health and illness prevention, and management.

Curriculum Planning 1 (EDED-0053)

In this course, students become familiar with activity planning strategies and planning form used throughout the diploma program curriculum.

 

Locations

Permanent Location

Assiniboine has one permanent site in the province that offers one of the Child Care Assistant courses, Overview of Early Childhood, monthly as an in-person delivery.

The following intakes are announced for 2023-24:

Victoria Avenue East campus | Brandon
  • Start: February 6, March 5, April 9, May 7 or June 4
  • Three weeks | Tuesdays & Thursdays 6 to 9 p.m. and Saturdays 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
  • Cost: $211.35
  • Applications are open

Rural Rotating Sites

In addition to our permanent offering in Brandon, Assiniboine offers in-community training known as rural rotating sites. These offerings rotate throughout the province monthly as an in-person delivery.

Assiniboine has the following rural rotating training sites announced, with more to come.

Morden | March 2024
  • Start: March 12, 2024
  • Three weeks | Tuesdays & Thursdays 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. and Saturdays 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
  • Cost: $203.61
  • Applications are open

Additional locations will be announced in the coming weeks.

Distance

Assiniboine offers three CCA-accredited courses, Curriculum Planning 1 (ECED-0053), Overview of Early Childhood (ECED-0054) and (Health Nutrition & Safety 1 (ECED-0055), in a distance delivery format. Please view the "Distance Education" tab for more information.

Distance Education

Assiniboine offers three CCA-accredited courses, Curriculum Planning 1 (ECED-0053), Overview of Early Childhood (ECED-0054) and (Health Nutrition & Safety 1 (ECED-0055), in a distance delivery format.

  • Course schedule is available here with an 'x' indicating the months each course is offered.
  • Up to four months to complete
  • No application is required for this offering.
  • To register, complete a Continuing Studies Registration Form

*You must be registered by the 20th of the month prior to the course's start date. For example, courses with an April 1 start date require you to register prior to March 20.

Fast Facts

Length
Various - see locations tab
Program Start
Various - see locations tab
Credential
Course/Workshop/Seminar
Credits
3
Course Load
Part-time
Program Details
Available by Distance
On Campus
School of Health & Human Services
204.725.8730
1.800.862.6307 ext 6228 (toll free)
Locations