| Province(s)/Territorie(s): Saskatchewan |
Saskatchewan
All staff employed for 65 hours/month or more as a child care worker in a licensed child care centre are required to meet or exceed the qualifications for certification. There are three levels of certification:
Centre directors hired after 2001 must meet the requirements for an ECE III. All child care staff working 65 hours or more in a child care centre must meet the requirements for an ECE I, 30 percent of staff must meet the requirements for an ECE II and, in addition, a further 20 percent of staff must meet the requirements for an ECE III.
An Early Learning and Child Care Application for Certification form must be sent with an official transcript to the Manager of Credentials and Quality Improvement in the Early Learning and Child Care Program. Alternatively, official transcripts may be sent directly from the institution. The process usually takes 4 weeks and there is no fee for certification. Individuals receive either a certificate and a letter indicating what is required to achieve the next level or a letter indicating that not all requirements are met, with the required course areas identified.
There are no residency requirements for certification.
Individuals may apply for a higher level of certification when the required education has been successfully completed by submitting the Application for Certification form and official transcripts, as described above in Certification Process.
Certification does not expire and does not need to be renewed.
The certification process is not included in legislation; therefore, withdrawing certification is a matter of administrative process rather than "authority". Certification would be withdrawn if the certification had been issued in response to false information.
ECE certificate and diploma programs offered through the various campuses of the Saskatchewan Institute of Applied Science and Technology (SIAST) and the Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technology (SIIT) are recognized. Regional colleges and other institutions offer SIAST courses regionally.
The Manager of Credentials and Quality Improvement assesses the applicant's transcript against the certification requirements and identifies equivalencies and any additional courses required. Certification requirements are based on course hours in four categories:
Note: There is no requirement for a practicum in the equivalency process for ECE II and III when equivalencies are based on a compilation of courses outside an ECE Certificate or Diploma program.
Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) is available at SIAST if the individual has two years experience in the ECE field within the last five years. All courses for the ECE certificate program can be challenged through PLAR, as well as all courses for the ECE Diploma program.
Click here for the SIAST PLAR Guide.
Individuals certified in Early Childhood Education as defined in provincial/territorial legislation in another province or territory will be certified in Saskatchewan with equivalent course qualifications.
If the applicant has not already achieved certification in another province or territory, an assessment of credentials is carried out. The Early Learning and Child Care Program maintains a list of recognized post-secondary ECE programs and related credentials deemed to be equivalent. The ECE certificate, diploma or related credential must be from a recognized and approved post-secondary institution whose ECE credentials are recognized in its home province. If the credential is not deemed to be equivalent, the course outlines are reviewed to determine content and hours. Course areas required are identified and communicated to the applicant.
The Manager of Credentials and Quality Improvement assesses out-of-country credentials on the same terms as qualifications acquired in Canada. See Certification Process.
Additional information may be sent to the Manager of Credentials and Quality Improvement for reassessment. If the applicant is dissatisfied with the outcome, a further appeal can be made to the Director, Early Learning and Child Care.
A licensed family child care provider must successfully complete a 40-hour introductory course in ECE or equivalent within one year of becoming licensed. Providers must have first aid and CPR training, and an orientation session with a program consultant.
A licensed group family child care home provider must meet or exceed the qualifications for an ECE I within three years of licensing.
A criminal records search is required for all adults who reside in the home.
All providers must complete six hours of professional development annually.
See the Early Learning and Child Care Home Provider Application Form for more details.
The Child Care Regulations, 2001 provide for tuition reimbursement grants (section 87). When a course has been successfully completed, $150/course is paid to the licensee (child care centre of family child care home). See Application for Tuition Reimbursement.
Manager of Credentials and Quality Improvement
Early Learning and Child Care Branch, Ministry of Education
2220 College Avenue
Regina, Saskatchewan, S4P 4V9
Telephone: (306) 787-2004
Copyright Canadian Child Care Human Resources Sector Council
Formerly funded by the Government of Canada's Sector Council Program
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