Assiniboine Community College will offer an Early Childhood Education (ECE) diploma program in Elkhorn, starting in February 2024.
It was the spring of 2019 when plans for Elkhorn's daycare began to become a reality. The childcare facility opened in September of 2020.
With space for four babies (children under 2) and 16 toddler/pre-school children, this facility was not going to solve the need, but it was a start. This year, thanks to provincial money announced for additional childcare, in September the municipality made arrangements for the expansion of the existing Elkhorn Early Learning Centre with a lease for an RTM building.
Now, to support staffing, the college’s ECE Accelerated Mentorship program gives students the opportunity to work at an early learning centre while they complete their studies, attending classes in the community two days per week. Graduates will obtain their diploma in ECE in only 18 months.
“This program is a great option for those who are new to the field of early learning as well as current Child Care Assistants working in early learning centres. It’s a huge benefit to students that they can earn an income working in a centre while they work toward becoming a certified ECE,” said Karen Hargreaves, Dean of the School of Health and Human Services at Assiniboine. “We’re proud to offer this in Elkhorn so that those living in the community and region have an opportunity to advance their career in early learning close to home.”
This ECE program in Elkhorn was made possible as part of an $11.4 million investment from the Province of Manitoba and the Government of Canada to expand ECE training at Assiniboine.
Students interested in this program may also qualify for a tuition reimbursement available through the Province of Manitoba, meaning not only can students earn while they learn, their tuition may be covered as well.
“This increased investment in early childhood learning is an important step in increasing access to this training and encouraging new people to enter and stay working in this field. A career in ECE is not only fulfilling, but also an important piece of our social and economic fabric,” said Hargreaves.
Interested applicants should visit assiniboine.net/ecementorship for more information.
