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Before registering for courses, you must apply and be accepted into this program. Please review the admission requirements and procedures before applying.

About the program

The Child Development Practitioner Apprenticeship program is designed to provide individuals working in child care settings with the opportunity to pursue formal education part-time while continuing to work in the sector. The program focuses on facilitating a child's development of positive self-concept through creativity, play and diversity. Apprentices will explore child development and apply their knowledge to plan, implement and evaluate quality programming for young children in licensed child care settings.

This apprenticeship combines on-the-job training provided by employers with in-class instruction delivered by Conestoga College, as required by Skilled Trades Ontario.

Classroom training is available at our Kitchener – Doon, Brantford, and Guelph campuses. All locations offer a hybrid delivery model, with approximately 75% of the program delivered through online evening classes, and 25% in-person evening classes.

Upon successful completion of both the classroom training and on-the-job training hours, apprentices will receive a Child Development Practitioner Certificate of Apprenticeship from Skilled Trades Ontario and a Child Development Practitioner Certificate from Conestoga College. Graduates are encouraged to continue their education by bridging into the Early Childhood Education (ECE) diploma program by enrolling in four additional General Education courses. Graduates of the ECE diploma meet the academic and fieldwork requirements for registration with the Ontario College of Early Childhood Educators (CECE) to become Registered Early Childhood Educators (RECEs).
Note: Admission to the program is required prior to registration for courses.

Admission requirements

  • Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or GED or equivalent
  • Prospective students must be registered apprentices with Skilled Trades Ontario and be a member in good standing.
  • Admission to the program is required prior to registration for courses.

Admission procedures

  • To begin your apprenticeship, visit the Skilled Trades Ontario Portal to complete and submit your application. Before applying, you must have an employer who is a qualified Early Childhood Educator (ECE) and willing to act as your Sponsor. Apprentices in Ontario are also required to maintain good standing with Skilled Trades Ontario throughout their apprenticeship.
  • Once you receive your Registered Training Agreement from Skilled Trades Ontario, email the Support Services Officer at jgough@conestogac.on.ca to request a program application form. Please note that registration for the in-school training portion is offered on a first-come, first-served basis.
  • If you have questions about the in-school training, contact Conestoga College at 519-748-5220, ext. 3382.

Program requirements

To effectively participate in this program, students must have reliable Internet access and a device that meets these requirements.

Graduate opportunities

For more details on related occupations, job market information and career opportunities, see the Government of Canada website: https://www.jobbank.gc.ca/home

Program outcomes

  • Design, implement and evaluate inclusive and play-based early learning curriculum and programs that support children's holistic development and are responsive to individual children's and groups of children's observed abilities, interests and ideas.
  • Establish and maintain inclusive early learning environments that support diverse, equitable and accessible developmental and learning opportunities for all children and their families.
  • Select and use a variety of screening tools, observation and documentation strategies to review, support and promote children's learning across the continuum of early childhood development.
  • Establish and maintain responsive relationships with individual children, groups of children and families.
  • Assess, develop and maintain safe, healthy and quality early learning environments which meet the requirements of current legislation, agency policies and evidence-based practices in early learning.
  • Prepare and use professional written, verbal, nonverbal and electronic communications when working with children, families, colleagues, employers, and community partners.
  • Identify, select and apply relevant legislation, regulations, college of early childhood educators standards of practice and code of ethics, policies and evidence-based practice guidelines, and interpret their impact on a variety of early learning environments.
  • Apply a developing personal philosophy of early learning in accordance with ethical and professional standards of early childhood education practice.
  • Advocate for quality early learning environments and collaborate with members of the early learning team, families and community partners to establish and promote such settings.
  • Engage in reflective practice, develop learning goals and maintain an ongoing professional development plan in accordance with evidence-based practices in early learning and related fields.

Program related resources

Program contact

Continuing Education
Upcoming registrations

Mark your calendar with our registration dates, so you can plan your future.

Winter registration: Now open
Spring registration: Opens March 2, 2026