Child Development Practitioner (Apprenticeship Certificate)

Certificate of Apprenticeship

Program Description

Courses are partially subsidized.

If you are unsure if you should take CDP or ECE, visit our Pathways to ECE page to compare.

Durham College provides the in-school training portion for the Child Development Practitioner Apprenticeship Program. You must maintain excellent attendance, a minimum mark of 70 per cent in each subject and a minimum overall grade point average of 3.0 or higher in order to successfully complete your program.

The CDP Certificate of Apprenticeship is awarded from the Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development (MLTSD), upon the successful completion of the in-school training and the practical work experience (on-the-job-hours) as mandated by the MLTSD. CDP graduates may apply to obtain their Early Childhood Education diploma after completing two additional ECE Communication courses and three General Education electives.

To be eligible to enroll in the Durham College CDP program, you must be registered as an apprentice with the MLTSD:

• You must find an employer to hire and train you before your training program can begin. (This can be your current employer.)
• An MLTSD Apprenticeship Training Agreement must be signed (by you as the apprentice, your employer and your Employment Training Consultant (ETC) before you enroll at Durham College. For contact information see General Apprenticeship Information below.

Bridge to ECE

CDP graduates who wish to obtain the full Early Childhood Education Diploma may choose to take two ECE Communication courses and three General Education Electives. CDP graduates who complete these five additional courses may apply to obtain their ECE diploma and register as a full ECE with the College of ECE.

Upon completion of all 23 CDP courses, students must first apply to graduate from the CDP program. Students then apply for admission in the Bridge to ECE program. Contact the PPL office at ppl@durhamcollege.ca to obtain these forms or for more information.

Program Of Study

Students are required to print or save a copy of the Program of Study when beginning the program. This document contains critical details about program progression and graduation requirements specific to the academic year in which your program was started.

Click to access the Program of Study for the current academic year.

Students who began this program prior to the current academic year may contact the Professional and Part-Time Learning office at ppl@durhamcollege.ca or 905-721-3052 to obtain your Program of Study and graduation requirements.

Please click to view the CDP Student Handbook

For more information on the Durham College Child Development Practitioner courses please call us at 905.721.3052.

If you wish to attend school at Durham College:

• Follow the process above to register as an apprentice with the Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development.
• After receiving your MLTSD Training Agreement, complete and submit the CDP Apprenticeship Application Form.
• Please contact us at ppl@durhamcollege.ca to be placed on a list to receive registration dates and information when available. Courses will not appear below for online registration. You will receive an email from ppl@durhamcollege.ca each semester with details about available courses and registration instructions.
• Please note: this is a first come first serve basis as limited seats are available. Once seats are filled or Day 5 passes we can no longer add students to the program or courses.

General Apprenticeship Information

For more information on how to become a registered apprentice, please contact your local apprenticeship office or visit the Government of Ontario website at https://www.ontario.ca/page/employment-ontario

For Durham Region, please contact:

MLTSD, Durham Region Apprenticeship Office
78 Richmond St. W.
Oshawa, ON L1G 1E1
T: 1.800.461.4608
TTY: 1.800.533.6339
F: 1.800.461.5385

Apprenticeship Grants

Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development (MLTSD) financial help is available for apprentices. Some ministry-funded programs that may be available to you include:

• Apprenticeship Completion Bonus – Non-Red Seal Trades
• Apprenticeship Completion Grant Red Seal Trades
• Apprenticeship Incentive Grant (Levels 1 and 2 only) for Red Seal Trades
• Apprenticeship Scholarship (under 25 years of age)
• Loans for tools

To check eligibility, application processes and deadline dates, please visit: https://www.ontario.ca/page/hire-apprentice

Testimonial:

As the Director of the Children’s Services Division, supporting more than 300 child care programs in the Region of Durham, I recognize the essential need for qualified Early Childhood Educators to offer high-quality services across the early learning sector.

As an Early Childhood Educator for more than 25 years, I can attest to what a rewarding experience it is to work in partnership with families, caregivers, and community partners to support children’s learning, development and well-being, while fostering their sense of belonging.

Lisa McIntosh RECE, M. Ed.
Director – Children’s Services Division, Social Services Department, The Regional Municipality of Durham

IMPORTANT NOTE: Current courses are not listed below for registration. Admitted students receive registrations instructions prior with available courses.