Early Childhood Education - AEC Program | LaSalle College Montreal

AEC in Early Childhood Education

AEC | JEE.0K
Education | JEE.0K | AEC in Early Childhood Education

Become an early childhood educator with this program offered in Montréal!

Becoming an early childhood educator means having a career that lets you lay the foundations for children’s education, actively contribute to their development, and support them as they grow, learn, and discover the world.

The goal of the AEC in Early Childhood Education is to train educators to work with children between the ages of 0 and 12 in educational services.
Their role? To teach future citizens!

During their childhood education training, students will learn such skills as:

  • Observing children to assess their needs using observational tools;
  • Designing educational activities that promote children’s development;
  • Supporting children in the areas of physical, cognitive, language, social, and emotional development;
  • Adapting environments and making them accessible so everyone can be included;
  • Creating and maintaining a meaningful and special relationship with the children, in close collaboration with their parents.

Additionally, the student will be required to complete various observation, integration and teaching practicums in educational settings such as early childhood centers, childcare services in an educational setting, or even directly at the LaSalle des petits Daycare.

Graduates of this AEC program will be able to quickly enter the job market. In fact, the placement rate in this field is very high, due to the high demand for workers.


Program availability

Graduates holding an AEC in Early Childhood Education can work for educational services. This program, which includes 2 practicums, will enable graduates to work in educational settings while accumulating qualifying hours.

This program leads to an attestation of college studies (AEC) recognized by the ministère de l’Enseignement supérieur (MES) and by the ministère de la Famille (MF).

Our AEC provides an easy transition to the DEC program if students wish to continue their studies.

  • Educational childcare services;
  • Early childhood centers;
  • Educational childcare services in an educational setting;
  • Educational childcare services in a home environment;
  • Educational services in private and semi-private daycares.

Have a training deemed sufficient and meet the admission criteria set for college studies

Required qualities and aptitudes

  • Language proficiency and communication skills
  • Creativity
  • Teamwork and interpersonal relations
  • Autonomy and initiative
  • Patience and understanding
  • Being open-minded
  • Ability to adapt
  • Good physical and psychological health

Semester 1

  • Early Childhood Profession (45 hours)
  • Child Health and Safety in the Educational Setting (75 hours)
  • Child Development from 0 to 2 years old (60 hours)
  • Writing and Summarizing Texts Relevant to the Profession (45 hours)

Semester 2

  • Observing Children in the Educational Setting (45 hours)
  • Workplace Communication (45 hours)
  • Educational Program and a Healthy Lifestyle (75 hours)
  • Child Development from 2 to 12 years old (60 hours)

Semester 3

  • Art and Creativity in the Educational Setting (75 hours)
  • Special Needs and Partnerships (45 hours)
  • Activity Development in the Educational Setting (60 hours)
  • Children’s Emotional Relationships (60 hours)
  • Introduction to the Profession and Involvement Practicum (180 hours)

Semester 4

  • Development of Childhood Autonomy (30 hours)
  • Teaching Approaches and Techniques in the Educational Setting (60 hours)
  • Children’s Adaptation Challenges (30 hours)
  • Intervention Practicum (255 hours)
* The College reserves the right to substitute some courses.

Ideally adult students with work experience.

Note for Admissions:

  • Must be 18+ to work in early childhood education services;
  • The AEC leads to the title of unqualified educator (before experience) and can work in child care. However, he/she must accumulate 4992 hours of experience (in addition to the AEC) to be qualified as a qualified child care educator, or complete the DEC to obtain the qualification of child care technician. An AEC graduate can work in educational services
  • Our AEC allows for an easy transition to the DEC if students wish to continue.
  • Please note that the majority of childcare services in Quebec are French-speaking, so students who wish to settle here must be aware of the cultural situation in Quebec to make an informed choice in their language of training.

In the context of their internships, enrolled students will be called on to show that their vaccinations are up-to-date: diphtheria, poliomyelitis, and tetanus, as well as measles, mumps, and rubella. Vaccinations for COVID-19, hepatitis B, and influenza may also be required. Students must be in good health. 

Students will be asked to show proof that they have no impediments to carrying out their internships. A police record check will be carried out. This verification requirement will be handled by the College.