Prince Edward Island certifies early childhood staff through the Early Learning and Child Care Board at five types, from a 30-hour course to a two-year diploma or degree, and you hold only one level at a time.
Applies in: Prince Edward Island
In Prince Edward Island, you become an early childhood educator by applying for certification through the Early Learning and Child Care Board. There are five types of certification, and you can hold only one level at a time. The Early Childhood Educator level needs a two-year diploma or degree in early childhood care and education approved by the Board. The fee for Canada-trained applicants is $25, paid online when you apply, and processing takes 4 to 6 weeks from the date your application is complete.
The Board's Apply for Early Childhood Certification page lists five types, each with its own education requirement:
Because you can hold only one level at a time, pick the type that most applies to you when you apply. If you complete more training later, you apply again for the higher level.
In addition to current identity and contact information, the Board asks for your post-secondary history — the name of each college or university you attended — with official transcripts sent to the Board from each institution to support each credential. You also upload a recent criminal background check and vulnerable sector search from the last six months, and a copy of your marriage licence or other relevant documents if your name has changed since you were last certified.
If you were trained as early childhood staff in Canada, the application fee is $25, paid online when you apply. Allow 4 to 6 weeks from the date your application is complete for it to be processed; the application is reviewed once all necessary documents are received. Your certification is valid for three years from the date it is issued.
For more information, contact the Department of Education and Early Years, Early Years Division, at (902) 368-6513 or ELCCCertification@gov.pe.ca.
If you are already certified in Yukon, British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Nova Scotia, or Newfoundland and Labrador, you may apply for classification as a child care worker under the Canadian Free Trade Agreement. If you live in Canada but studied outside Canada, use the separate application for internationally educated early childhood staff certification.
Certification is valid for three years from the date it is issued. To renew, you must complete 45 hours of approved professional development during the three years before expiry. Submit your record of training hours one month before your certification expires, using the Board's online form, with copies of workshop certificates and your updated criminal background check and vulnerable sector search. A maximum of ten hours of authorized in-service training counts toward the 45 hours in a three-year period; for training not offered through the Early Childhood Development Association, you must request approval from the registrar.
The opened Board page does not publish a list of Board-approved programs or courses, and it does not state the fee for internationally educated applicants, so this guide states neither. Renewal requirements are now stated above, from the Board's Certification Renewal page. Check with the Board for the current approved-program list before you enrol.
Family Home Child Care Provider, School-Age Child Care Provider, Early Childhood Intern, Early Childhood Associate, and Early Childhood Educator. You can only hold one level of certification at a time, so when you apply, select the one that most applies to you.
Complete a two-year diploma or degree program in early childhood care and education approved by the Board; or a degree program related to human studies that incorporates a two-year diploma in early childhood care and education, approved by the Board; or a degree program related to human studies plus a one-year certificate in early childhood care and education, approved by the Board.
Early Childhood Associate needs a one-year certificate program in early childhood care and education approved by the Board, or a diploma or degree program related to human studies approved by the Board. Early Childhood Educator needs a two-year diploma or degree in early childhood care and education, or one of the combined degree routes listed above.
Your post-secondary history, with official transcripts sent to the Early Learning and Child Care Board directly from each institution you attended, plus a recent criminal background check and vulnerable sector search from the last six months. If your name has changed since you were last certified, include a copy of your marriage licence or other relevant documents.
If you were trained as early childhood staff in Canada, the application fee is $25, paid online when you apply. Allow 4 to 6 weeks from the date your application is complete for it to be processed. Your certification is valid for three years from the date it is issued.
If you are already certified in Yukon, British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Nova Scotia, or Newfoundland and Labrador, you may apply for classification as a child care worker under the Canadian Free Trade Agreement. If you live in Canada but studied outside Canada, use the separate application for internationally educated early childhood staff.