EARLY LEARNING AND CHILD CARE DIPLOMA PROGRAM
NLC and Keyano College Partnership: Recognizing an Opportunity when it arises

Northern Lakes College and Keyano College are bringing back the Early Learning and Child Care Diploma program to the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo. Keyano currently offers an Early Learning and Child Care (ELCC) Certificate through a full-time eight-month program over two semesters. The certificate program enables graduates to work in licensed daycares, out-of-school care programs, and preschool programs.

Earlier this year Northern Lakes College proposed a partnership to bring the diploma program back to the Wood Buffalo region through an online delivery option. ELCC Diploma program graduates are qualified to supervise work in a licensed childcare centre, out-of-school programs and preschools.

"We are very pleased to work in partnership with Northern Lakes College (NLC) to offer the option of a diploma program for our learners in the Wood Buffalo region," said Dr. Vincella Thompson, Dean, School of University Studies, Career Programs and Academic Upgrading. "This collaboration opens up possibilities and opportunities for our colleges as well as our students."

As a result of the partnership, established through a Memorandum of Understanding, the ELCC Diploma program will be offered online at Northern Lakes College in collaboration with Keyano College in the fall. While the diploma program will be delivered off-campus in Keyano College's service region, students apply directly to Northern Lakes College and are recognized as NLC Students. They will be able to access Keyano's campus supports and will receive many of the same benefits as in-class students.

Michelle Mitchell, Dean, Academic Quality & University Studies, Centre for Teaching & Learning at Northern Lakes College said, "We are very excited to partner with Keyano College to offer the Early Learning and Child Care Diploma program to students within the Fort McMurray region. We are pleased to have the opportunity to work with students who will become Child Development Supervisors, and will support quality child care in our northern communities".

The ELCC Diploma program is an excellent post-secondary opportunity, in particular for students who have previously obtained their ELCC Certificate. The ELCC Diploma program will teach students the skills and knowledge required to advance their career into administrative and supervisory positions within their field.