40-Hour Course Options for Child Care Assistants and Home-Based Child Care Providers

In Manitoba, all Child Care Assistants (CCAs) and licensed home-based child care providers are required to complete a 40-hour course related to early childhood education within the first year of employment.

All licensed child care centres must ensure that CCAs employed at their centre provide evidence of a completed 40 hour course to their employer for approval (Child Care Regulation 62/86, Section 7 (11.1)). Home-based child care providers are required to provide evidence of a completed 40-hour course to their Child Care Coordinator. The post-secondary equivalent to 40 hours is three credit hours.

List of Eligible Schools that offer 40-hour Course Options

There are many course options available in Manitoba for CCAs and home-based child care providers to fulfill the 40-hour training requirement. CCAs working in centres are encouraged to consult with their directors to determine their learning needs. Home-based child care providers should choose a course that will best help them in their work with children.

All courses included in approved ECE diploma programs qualify towards the 40-hour course requirement.

Click here for a list of eligible post-secondary institutions that offer ECE programs and course options in Manitoba.

Completion of Other Post-Secondary Courses or Programs

Individuals who are working toward a university degree or college diploma at a recognized, post-secondary institution, or who have already completed a program in a similar field during the past eight years, may qualify for the 40-hour course requirement to be waived.

Examples of eligible courses include:

Examples of eligible programs include:

Completion of Approved High School Programs/Courses

There are two options available for high school students to meet the 40-hour requirement: the Technical-Vocational Education (TVE) Child Care program and the Applied Family Studies 40S course.

TVE Child Care program is a cluster of eight courses offered from grades 9-12. The approved curriculum is currently offered in four Manitoba high schools: Maples Collegiate, Portage Collegiate Institute, R.B. Russell Vocational High School, and Louis Riel Arts and Tech Centre. Successful completion of all eight courses meets the 40-Hour Course requirement.

Applied Family Studies (40S) is one course offered within the area of Human Ecology to students in grade 12. This course is offered at many high schools throughout Manitoba.

Certificates from Provincial/Territorial Regulatory Bodies Outside of Manitoba

Individuals who have received certification to work in early learning and child care from another Canadian province or territory may apply to have their certification recognized for the 40-hour course requirement.

If you are new to Manitoba / Canada, start by reading this information for Internationally Educated Applicants.

If you wish to inquire about a course or program not listed above, please contact Child Care Information Services at 204-945-0776, toll-free in Manitoba 1-888-213-4754 or email cdcinfo@gov.mb.ca.