Frequently Asked Questions

If you would like your organization listed here, please contact the AECEA office at info@aecea.ca or (780) 421-7544.

• Membership with AECEA is free for full-time students enrolled in publicly funded post-secondary ECE programs in Alberta.
• Part-time students pay a reduced membership fee of $50 + GST per year.
• Annual fees for associate members are $125 + GST.
• 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.

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)
  • $25 off T2 tax filing through UFile
  • 10% discount on HRDownloads, a web-based HR software that is tailored to your needs

NOTICE: As of October 26, 2021, TimeSavr has chosen to not continue its partnership with AECEA, you will not receive a discount code for TimeSavr if an Associate membership is purchased after October 26, 2021.

AECEA’s professional and student members are part of the association’s strong, united voice on legislation, policy, funding, training, professional learning and other issues that affect ECEs.

Professional and student members enjoy the following 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 the Imagine Institute for Learning (formerly ECDSS) workshops
• 15% off personal tax returns through UFile
• 15% off public workshops through the Crisis and Trauma Resource Institute (CTRI) and the ACHIEVE Centre for Leadership and Workplace Performance
• Up to 40% off home and auto insurance through The Co-Operators

AECEA offers three membership categories:

• Professional members are Alberta-certified 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.
   
• 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.

Purpose:

The purpose of the Leadership Bursaries are to foster future leadership capacity by enabling senior organizational leaders to participate in formal education and professional development programs that enhance their ability to lead their organization and the field. The focus will be to develop or enhance leadership skills and innovation in service delivery and development, human resource management, organizational excellence and fiscal management.

Eligibility Requirements:

For all bursaries, applicants must:

• Currently work as a senior staff member in a supervisory leadership role
• Work in a Non-Government Organization (NGO) whose primary responsibility is to serve clients through the Children Services delivery system
• Have worked in this organization a minimum of one year
• Be employed by an organization/agency that is contracted by Children Services, to provide services

Organizations must:

Have contracted funding from the Government of Alberta through Children Services and be responsible for providing direct services to clients through the service delivery system.

The ALIGN Leadership Bursary program is offering agencies a bursary up to $5,000.00 towards Agency Leadership Development. We will choose on a first come first serve bases and can offer up to $5,000.00 per agency/per year.

Criteria:

• You don’t have to be members of ALIGN, but you do have to provide services that are part of the Children Services through contract or grant
• Agency to send a short (no more than 2 pages) outline of their plan including the cost, and goals that you intend to achieve.
• When activities are complete report back as to how many people in your agency received the training and how it met your goals

Process:

• Fill in the ALIGN Bursary Application Form and attach your proposal.
• Submit to katiew@alignab.ca
• You will receive a response back to your request within 4 weeks of receiving the request.

For more information, go here.

*AECEA makes every effort to ensure this information is up to date. Please consult original documentation/website to confirm accuracy*

The purpose of this Leadership Bursary is to foster future leadership capacity by enabling senior organizational leaders to participate in formal education and professional development programs that enhance their ability to lead their organization and the field. The focus will be to develop or enhance leadership skills and innovation in service delivery and development, human resource management, organizational excellence and fiscal management. Tuition costs for non-accredited programs are a max. $5,000 and do not cover travel costs. This bursary can be granted throughout the year. This can be a course, workshop, conference etc. but must be leadership focused. Please note the intention it to support leadership courses. This NOT a practice (counselling, NMT, trauma, etc.) enhancement bursary.

Eligibility Requirements:

For all bursaries, applicants must:

• Currently work as a senior staff member in a supervisory leadership role
• Work in a Non-Government Organization (NGO) whose primary responsibility is to serve clients through the Children Services delivery system
• Have worked in this organization a minimum of one year
• Be employed by an organization/agency that is contracted by Children Services, to provide services

Organizations must:

Have contracted funding from the Government of Alberta through Children Services and be responsible for providing direct services to clients through the service delivery system.

Criteria:

• You don’t have to be a member of ALIGN, but you do have to provide services that are part of the Children Services through contract or grant.
• Send the course outline or brochure with the application.
• We require the exact costs. The agency or individual must pay for the tuition and provide a receipt. They will be reimbursed once submitted.

Process:

• Fill in the ALIGN Bursary Application Form. The ED or CEO must sign the form so we know that this is part of the plan for your agency.
• Send that to katiew@alignab.ca
• You will receive a response back to your request within 4 weeks of receiving the request.

For more information, go here.

*AECEA makes every effort to ensure this information is up to date. Please consult original documentation/website to confirm accuracy*

To be eligible the student must:

• The student must be enrolled in 20-59% of a full-time course load
• be enrolled in a program of study designated for federal part-time funding, and
• have a family income that is below the income threshold at which grant eligibility is cut-off listed in the table below.

To be eligible the student with dependants must:

• comply with all of the above; and
• have at least one dependant under the the age of 12 at the start date of studies, or 12 years of age or older requiring daily care due to a permanent disability.

Eligible students may receive up to $1,800 each school year (August 1 to July 31). Students can get this grant for each year of studies (including undergraduate and graduate levels) as long as they still qualify.

The grant amount is based on family income and family size. The grant amount gradually decreases as income increases, with the rate of reduction varying by family size. When family income is equal to or greater than the income threshold at which grant eligibility is cut-off, students are not eligible to receive any grant funding.

For more information on the Canada Student Grant for Part-Time Studies, go here​.

*AECEA makes every effort to ensure this information is up to date. Please consult original documentation/website to confirm accuracy*

The CAJG is an employer-driven training program where employers and government share the cost of training new and existing employees. Employers decide who gets training and what type of training may be needed for their employees. Eligible employers are required to contribute a minimum of one-third of the total training costs. Government contributes two-thirds of the cost to a maximum of $10,000 per trainee. If hiring and training an unemployed Albertan, up to 100% of training costs could be covered, up to $15,000 per trainee. Individual employers will have a cap on the amount of grant funding they can receive annually ($300,000) to ensure that funding will be available for as many Alberta employers as possible.

Eligible trainees under the CAJG are: Canadian citizens, permanent residents, and protected persons under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (Canada) who are entitled to work in Canada. Trainees must be residents of Alberta.

Eligible training:

• Training must be incremental, meaning that the training is in addition to the employer’s regular operational training, and would not have otherwise taken place without the grant
• Exceptions are made where the trainee is an unemployed hire who requires training, upgrading or bridging before starting the job
• Training must be instructional and result in a credential

Training duration and format:

• Minimum 21 instructional hours of training must start within 6 months of approval and be completed within 52 weeks of start date
• Training that starts before grant is approved will not be reimbursed
• Training can be delivered online, on-site, in a classroom or combined, on a part-time or full-time basis

For more information on the Canada-Alberta Job Grant, go here.

*AECEA makes every effort to ensure this information is up to date. Please consult original documentation/website to confirm accuracy*

Freehorse Family Wellness Society (FFWS) is a non-profit organization founded by a few committed and dedicated leaders of Alberta based First Nations.

A Board of Directors including First Nations people provides the leadership and direction to the management and staff of FFWS.

FFWS is currently offering a post secondary funding program on behalf of Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC). Post Secondary Funding Program assists students from various Alberta First Nations whose status is the result of Bill C-31. Alberta residents from Nunavut and the North West Territories with Indian or Inuit Status are also eligible under our Post Secondary Funding Program.

Please go through their eligibility criteria to see if you are eligible to apply for sponsorship with their Program. During sponsorship, FFWS supports our students by providing tuition, books, and living allowance.

For more information and to apply, go here.

*AECEA makes every effort to ensure this information is up to date. Please consult original documentation/website to confirm accuracy*

Band funding

If you’re a Band member of a First Nation, you may be eligible for federal funding, administered through your Band office, to help you pay for your education. Here’s how to get started:

• find out how Band student support funding works
• read about this Learning Clicks Ambassador’s experience with Band scholarships

Scholarships and bursaries

• Belcourt-Brosseau Métis Awards: the largest non-governmental source of student funding for Métis students in Canada
• First Nations Training to Employment Program (FNTEP): supports the development of partnerships to create training and work experience projects that lead to employment for First Nations members
• Indigenous bursaries search tool: a searchable list of more than 680 bursaries, scholarships and incentives across Canada
• Indigenous Careers Award: valued at $2,000 per semester up to $4,000 per academic year to encourage Indigenous students to complete post-secondary studies that lead to high-demand careers in Alberta
• Indigenous Graduate Award: valued between $7,500 and a maximum of $15,000 to encourage Indigenous Albertans to pursue graduate studies in Alberta
• Indspire: the largest non-governmental funding body for First Nations, Inuit and Métis post-secondary students across Canada
• Métis and Non-Status Bursary Program: for post-secondary studies in a social services field
• Northern Alberta Development Council (NADC) Student Bursary: for students in a variety of fields of study who are willing to work within the NADC area after they complete their schooling​
• Windspeaker and Aboriginal Multi-Media Society (AMMSA) Scholarship Guide: an extensive list of scholarships and bursaries available to Indigenous students

*AECEA makes every effort to ensure this information is up to date. Please consult original documentation/website to confirm accuracy*

Muttart Bursary Program

Grants are usually awarded in amounts of less than $1,000 to cover the tuition or registration costs of courses, programs, conferences or other training opportunities. Courses or programs must be offered by a non-profit entity or a publicly funded post-secondary institution. Professional development opportunities may include:

• administrative courses – accounting, computer skills, communication, interpersonal skills, supervision, etc.
• program related courses – cultural awareness, youth engagement, counseling, community development, mentoring, coaching, pedagogical leadership, child development,  collective impact, outcome measurement, etc.
• management level courses – human resources, information technology, legal, communications, project and change management, operations, financial and accounting, fund development, etc. 

​Muttart Leadership Program

The aim of the Leadership Bursary program is to increase the capacity of senior staff, management staff, or persons serving in a senior staff capacity within these charities to contribute now, or in the near future, to leadership within or across organizations, or enhance leadership competence in key policy areas related to the charity or sub-sector’s work. Professional development opportunities may include:

• leadership courses or programs
• management programs
• governance courses or programs
• public policy courses or programs

Grants are usually awarded in amounts of less than $2,500 to cover the tuition or registration costs of courses or programs. Courses or programs must be offered by a non-profit entity or a publicly funded post-secondary institution. Bursaries cover course or program tuition costs, not travel, accommodation or incidental expenses.

Application Process

Please submit applications to the Foundation at least three weeks in advance of the course start date to provide sufficient time for a review of your request. If the application is received after the registration deadline, or if you have already registered for the course, the bursary will not be awarded.

For more information and to submit an application, go here.

*AECEA makes every effort to ensure this information is up to date. Please consult original documentation/website to confirm accuracy*

Program Details

The Training Funding Program is open to registered charities working in the field of social services and early childhood education and care organizations in Alberta and Saskatchewan and certain regional and national umbrella charities supporting charities in Canada.  The aim of this funding program is to build a charity’s organizational capacity through staff and key volunteer professional development.

Two or more eligible charities may jointly apply for funding that would see them collaborate on a training initiative for their staff or key volunteers. In some cases, rather than charities sending all their staff to separate courses or workshops, it may be more prudent for a group of charities to hire a trainer, instructor, or consultant to conduct a joint training session on a specific topic of importance to the charities involved. Funding for this type of training initiative may be eligible for funding under this program.

Available Funding

Generally, training grants are awarded in amounts less than $5,000, but in exceptional circumstances larger grants may be made. Funding may cover course or workshop fees, instructor or consultant fees, room rental, and on occasion the consultant’s travel or accommodation expenses. It is preferable if courses or programs are offered by instructors from a publicly funded educational institution, a non-profit organization or a registered charity.  Prior to the application being submitted, the two (or more) charities involved in the joint training initiative must identify the staff and key volunteers who will be participating in the training. This program isn’t intended to cover the training costs associated with conferences or workshops that are open for registration.

For more information and to apply, go here.

*AECEA makes every effort to ensure this information is up to date. Please consult original documentation/website to confirm accuracy*

If you are looking to work in a licensed day care program, out-of-school care program, or pre-school program you need to be certified. Child care staff must be certified within 6 months of employment and must not have unsupervised access to children until certified.

Once you apply, your application will be reviewed to determine if you are eligible for one of the 3 levels of child care staff certification:

• Level 1 Early Childhood Educator (formerly Child Development Assistant)
• Level 2 Early Childhood Educator (formerly Child Development Worker)
• Level 3 Early Childhood Educator (formerly Child Development Supervisor)

For more information, see the Child Care Staff Certification Guide

*Children's Services website - February 10, 2021 (Child Care Staff Certification Guide (February 1, 2021))

*AECEA makes every effort to ensure this information is up to date. Please consult original documentation/website to confirm accuracy*

There are three certification levels in Alberta:

• Level 1 Early Childhood Educator (formerly Child Development Assistant)
• Level 2 Early Childhood Educator (formerly Child Development Worker)
• Level 3 Early Childhood Educator (formerly Child Development Supervisor)

*Children's Services website - February 22, 2021 (Child Care Staff Certification Guide (February 2021))

*AECEA makes every effort to ensure this information is up to date. Please consult original documentation/website to confirm accuracy*

An approved language proficiency assessment is required for certification as child development worker or supervisor unless an individual’s education was completed in a country where English or French is the primary language of instruction throughout all levels of schooling.

The countries below have been identified as providing instruction in English throughout all levels of schooling

If the education was completed in a country not listed below, a language proficiency assessment is required.

Language proficiency assessments accepted for certification:

• CELPIP General (Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program).

Level 7 must be achieved in all areas (reading, writing, listening, speaking)
Website: www.celpip.ca
Toll free phone: 1-800-958-5186

• IELTS General (International English Language Testing System)

A score of 6 must be achieved in all areas (reading, writing, listening, speaking) .
Website: www.ielts.org

*Children's Services website - February 10, 2021 (Child Care Staff Certification Guide (February 2021))

*AECEA makes every effort to ensure this information is up to date. Please consult original documentation/website to confirm accuracy*

Individuals who have completed some related coursework but have not received an educational credential may be assessed against the content and hours from Alberta Early Learning and Child Care certificate and diploma programs. To view the coursework equivalencies, go here.

*Children's Services website - February 10, 2021 (Child Care Staff Certification Guide (February 2021))

*AECEA makes every effort to ensure this information is up to date. Please consult original documentation/website to confirm accuracy*

Level 1 Early Childhood Educator (formerly Child Development Assistant

You will be eligible to receive Level 1 Early Childhood Educator certification upon completion of one of the following:

• a 45-hour (3 credit) post-secondary course related to child development
  • Acceptable 3-credit post-secondary courses related to child development include:
    • Introduction to early learning and child care
    • Learning through play
    • Educational psychology
• the Child Care Orientation Course
• CCS 3110, 3120, 3130, 3140, and 3150 offered through Career and Technology Studies at Alberta high schools
• the Step Ahead Family Day Home Training or Family Child Care Training Program through an approved Alberta Family Day Home Agency registered with the Alberta Family Child Care Association.

Level 2 Early Childhood Educator (formerly Child Development Worker

You will be eligible to receive Level 2 Early Childhood Educator certification upon completion of either:

• a 1-year early learning and child care certificate program offered by an Alberta college or university; or
• an approved educational equivalency

Approved educational equivalencies recognized for Level 2 Early Childhood Educator certification:

• Disability Studies: 2-year diploma
• Educational Assistant: 2-year diploma
• Bachelor of Science in human ecology: 4-year degree with a major in family ecology
• Kinesiology: 4-year Bachelor degree (B.Kin.) or 2-year Kinesiology diploma
• Community Rehabilitation: 4-year degree or Rehabilitation Assistant 2- year diploma
• Therapeutic Recreation: 2-year diploma or 4-year degree
• Social Work: 2-year diploma

Level 3 Early Childhood Educator (formerly Child Development Supervisor

You will be eligible to receive Level 3 Early Childhood Educator certification upon completion of either:

• a 2-year early learning and child care diploma program offered by an Alberta college or university; or
• an approved educational equivalency

Approved educational equivalencies recognized for Level 3 Early Childhood Educator certification:

• Alberta Teaching Certificate
• Bachelor of Child Studies: 4-year degree
• Bachelor of Education: 4-year degree or 2-year after degree
• Child and Youth care: 4-year degree or 2-year diploma
• Bachelor of Social Work: 4-year degree

A Coursework Equivalency is available for individuals who have completed related coursework but have not received an educational credential. Courses are assessed against the content and hours from Alberta ELCC certificate and diploma programs for child development worker or supervisor certification. See the chart here.

*Children's Services website - February 10, 2021 (Child Care Staff Certification Guide (February 2021))

*AECEA makes every effort to ensure this information is up to date. Please consult original documentation/website to confirm accuracy*

Early childhood professionals certified in another province are eligible for certification in Alberta without another formal assessment of the person’s educational credentials.

To apply for Alberta certification under this equivalency, submit the following:

• A completed Application for Child Care Staff Certification
• A copy of personal identification that includes your birth date and signature
• Your original provincial certificate (B.C. and Ontario applicants may provide copies)

*Children's Services website - February 10, 2021 (Child Care Staff Certification Guide (February 2021))

*AECEA makes every effort to ensure this information is up to date. Please consult original documentation/website to confirm accuracy*

Education that has been completed outside of Canada may be recognized for certification; however, additional documents may be required.

Before you apply, read the Certification Guide for Early Childhood Educators to make sure you are eligible and understand all the steps. The guide includes information about the educational and language proficiency requirements.

Once you have read the guide, apply online using a computer, tablet or mobile phone through the Early Childhood Educator Certification Application:

Early Childhood Educator Certification Application

If you are eligible for Level 2 or 3 certification, you must arrange for your official transcripts to be sent directly from your educational institution to the Alberta Child Care Staff Certification Office.

You may send a copy of the transcript to be temporarily certified as a Level 1 Early Childhood Educator, if eligible. The certification level will be changed once the official transcripts have been received directly from the institution and have been assessed as meeting the educational training requirements for Level 2 or Level 3 certification.

If your education was completed outside of Canada, refer to the Certification Guide for Early Childhood Educators to determine if you require a language proficiency assessment or other additional documents.

If you need help or have questions about using the Early Childhood Educator Certification online application, call the Alberta Child Care Staff Certification Office at 1-800-661-9754.

*Children's Services website - February 10, 2021 (Child Care Staff Certification Guide (February 2021))

*AECEA makes every effort to ensure this information is up to date. Please consult original documentation/website to confirm accuracy*

 Submit a Professional Development Funding Request Form to the Alberta Child Care Grant Funding Program. The form is available online at https://cfr.forms.gov.ab.ca/Form/CDEV12397.pdf

The approved professional development funding payment will be part of the overall child care program deposit when the next monthly claim is processed. The staff name and professional development funding payment amount will be reflected on the Monthly Payment Summary Statement.

​​​​​​*AECEA makes every effort to ensure this information is up to date. Please consult original documentation/website to confirm accuracy*

*AECEA makes every effort to ensure this information is up to date. Please consult original documentation/website to confirm accuracy*

The program must comply with all the terms set out in the grant agreement that was signed between the grant recipient and the Minister, which includes the content contained in this funding guide.

All child care programs that receive grant funding must maintain required attendance records, receipts, and financial/payroll records to support all funding payments relating to wage top-ups and professional development (and the release time grant, if applicable). Programs are subject to selected or random audits by the Government of Alberta. If a program falsely obtains funds, fails to provide required documentation, or fails to report funding not paid to ECEs, the amount will be adjusted accordingly through the claims payment process. Eligibility for ongoing funding may be terminated.

Failure to comply with the terms set out in the agreement and this funding guide may result in recovery of the funding.

• The program must retain a copy of their submitted professional development funding request form, and all receipts supporting the professional development grant payments made to the program.
• Receipts must indicate the same expenditure that was claimed and must match the ECE’s or program’s name, amount of payment and payment date as was submitted on the professional development funding request form.
• Any funding that is paid without supporting receipts, not transferred to the ECE, or not used as approved on the professional development funding request form, must be reported using the program funding adjustment form at
• alberta.ca/online-child-care-claims-system.aspx.
• The professional development grant is not taxable.
• Programs must report any unused or incorrectly reported funding using the program funding adjustment form at alberta.ca/online-child-care-claims-system.aspx.

​​​​​​*AECEA makes every effort to ensure this information is up to date. Please consult original documentation/website to confirm accuracy*

Professional development funding helps offset tuition fees and required course textbooks for approved post-secondary coursework. For educators certified as an Early Childhood Educator Level 1 or 2, this coursework should lead to a higher level of certification. For those at Level 3, this coursework should strengthen leadership, management, pedagogical leadership, administration, and early childhood education skills and knowledge.

Professional development funding may also be used to offset the cost of tuition fees, conference and workshop fees related to early learning and child care that have been approved by the Alberta Child Care Grant Funding Program. Please email the Alberta Child Care Grant Funding Program at cs.childcarefunding@gov.ab.ca to find out whether the course/conference/workshop you are interested in is eligible for professional development funding

Professional development funding may not be requested if another grant or bursary has been awarded for the same purpose.

*AECEA makes every effort to ensure this information is up to date. Please consult original documentation/website to confirm accuracy*

Expenses not covered by professional development:

• Accommodations, meals, alcohol, and travel costs
• Additional fees charged by an educational institution
• Non-approved courses, workshops or conferences (i.e., those not related to child development or not approved by the Alberta Child Care Grant Funding Program)
• Language proficiency assessments (CELPIP/IELTS)
• English as a Second Language coursework
• First-Aid training and food safety courses
• Resource books and materials not part of registered coursework

Professional development funding may not be requested if another grant or bursary has been awarded for the same purpose.

*AECEA makes every effort to ensure this information is up to date. Please consult original documentation/website to confirm accuracy*

The professional development grant funding is for ECEs who are paid employees or contracted family day home educators of
eligible child care programs who:

• Provide direct child care, including as program supervisors (as defined in the Early Learning and Child Care Regulation), as well as individuals hired by licensed family day home agencies as agency coordinators or home visitors/consultants
• Are certified as Early Childhood Educators, Level 1, 2 or 3
• Are Canadian citizens or official Permanent Residents of Canada
• Have worked at least 29 hours in at least one month from the date of the expenditure or the date the application was received
• Have submitted a Professional Development Funding Request Form from https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-child-caregrant-funding-program.aspx and made a payment for the course, workshop, or conference within the same fiscal year (April to March)

*AECEA makes every effort to ensure this information is up to date. Please consult original documentation/website to confirm accuracy*