Membership

Become a Member

Professional or Student Memberships - Yearly Professional Membership - Monthly Associate Memberships

The Association of Early Childhood Educators of Alberta (AECEA) is a non-profit, member-based society comprising early childhood educators, out-of-school care staff, child care staff/contractors, post-secondary ELCC students and faculty members, and other groups and individuals who support the goals of AECEA. Born out of the Alberta Child Care Network Association and the Early Childhood Professional Association of Alberta, AECEA works hard to amplify the voice of the early learning and child care workforce in Alberta. A proud affiliate member of the Canadian Child Care Federation, its goal is to transform Alberta's early learning and child care workforce into a recognized profession.

Membership Types

AECEA offers three membership categories:

Professional Membership

Professional members are Alberta-certified early childhood educators (ECEs) and post-secondary educators who work in the field of early learning and child care. This category also includes staff and contractors who work for, or in support of, licensed child care programs and approved family day home agencies.

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Student Membership

Student members are enrolled in post-secondary early learning and child care programs in Alberta. Students in leadership, management, human resources, and other programs related to early learning and child care are also eligible for AECEA membership. Membership is free for full-time students.

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Associate Membership

Associate members are agencies or groups that support AECEA’s goals. This can include early learning and child care centres.

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Why Become a Member?

Having an AECEA membership comes with a variety of benefits.

Advocacy & Community

AECEA’s professional community supports one another and unites like-minded people across Alberta. AECEA and its members collaborate, share vital information and connect through events. As advocates, we work hard to influence positive change for our members, bringing a powerful voice to topics that matter.

Relevant Educational Resources

An AECEA membership gives you access to valuable members-only resources, including important research, educational articles and discounts on professional learning opportunities, including all AECEA- and partner-sponsored workshops and events.

Benefits & Discounts

Members receive discounts on personal tax returns and home and auto insurance through The Co-Operators. If your employer is an AECEA member, they can also access a health benefits program for you that has been created specifically for AECEA members.

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Membership FAQ

What types of memberships are available?

AECEA offers three membership categories:

Professional members are Alberta-certified early childhood educators (ECEs) and post-secondary educators who work in the field of early learning and child care. This category also includes staff and contractors who work for, or in support of, licensed child care programs and approved family day home agencies.
Student members are enrolled in post-secondary early learning and child care programs in Alberta. Students in leadership, management, human resources, and other programs related to early learning and child care are also eligible for AECEA membership. Student members receive all the same perks as professional members.
Associate members are agencies or groups that support AECEA’s goals.

Professional members and student members have voting rights at AECEA’s general meetings. Associate members are welcome to attend AECEA meetings, but cannot vote.

How much does membership cost?

Student Membership
- Membership with AECEA is free for full-time students enrolled in publicly funded post-secondary ECE programs in Alberta.
- Part-time students or students enrolled in non-ECE programs pay a reduced membership fee of $50 + GST per year.
Associate Membership
- Annual fees for associate members are $125 + GST.
Professional Membership:
- Annual fees for professional members are $125 + GST.
- Monthly fees for professional members are $10.75 + GST per month.
- Professional members whose employers participate in AECEA’s group health plan pay $95 + GST for their annual fees.

Organizations or groups that would like to complete a bulk membership purchase can purchase professional and associate memberships for $110 + GST/year (must purchase at least 10 memberships at once). Find more information on bulk membership purchases here.

What are the professional and student member benefits?

the opportunity to contribute to AECEA’s advocacy for accessible, affordable, high-quality child care delivered by a respected, well-compensated professional ELCC workforce
a monthly e-newsletter, Networking News, that includes updates on AECEA’s activities, information about professional learning opportunities and events, links to the latest research and inspirational stories from the field
discounts on AECEA-sponsored workshops and events (including the popular annual conference, which is usually sold out)
reduced fees for selected educational and professional learning offerings sponsored by AECEA’s partners
access to a group health benefits plan (available to professional and student members whose employers are AECEA associate members)
reduced membership fees for professional members whose employers participate in AECEA’s group health benefits plan
AECEA’s support and organizational backing to empower personal advocacy for the recognition of ECEs as well-qualified, well-compensated professionals
opportunities to develop leadership skills and make a difference by getting involved in the association
free affiliate membership in the Canadian Child Care Federation (CCCF), which is a cost saving of $65
- CCCF affiliate membership includes discounts on books and resources, weekly email updates and access to the federation’s members-only quarterly journal
15% off Imagine Institute for Learning (formerly ECDSS) workshops
20% off personal tax returns through UFile
Up to 30% off home and auto insurance through The Co-Operators
30% off yearly Institute of Child Psychology membership
Free Scholars Choice membership
NEW! Access to Hub Digital Marketplace

What are the associate member benefits?

AECEA’s associate members enjoy the following benefits:

free affiliate membership in the CCCF, which is a cost saving of $90
access to a number of workforce and workplace related benefits and discounts, including the following:
- a comprehensive group health benefit plan that offers life and disability insurance, coverage for prescription drugs, dental and vision care, and medical coverage for travellers
- access to Foster Park Brokers commercial insurance, which is tailored to the ELCC industry
- 15% off on-site workshops through the Imagine Institute for Learning (formerly ECDSS)
- $30 off T2 tax filing through UFile
- Access to Econocoop, a group buying platform for early learning and child care programs
- Free Scholars Choice membership
- NEW! Access to HR Covered perks:
  - Get free access to over 1,000 up-to-date HR documents and policies.
  - Get a FREE, compliant policy manual for your organization.
  - Catch up on the hottest HR topics with their webinars.