Child Development Practitioner Apprenticeship

Program: CDAA
Credential: Apprentice Week Certificate
Delivery: Full-time
Work Integrated Learning: Apprentice Placement
Length: 1083 hours
Effective: Fall 2025
Location: Orillia, Owen Sound

Description

A Child Development Practitioner (CDP) plans and implements age-appropriate service, supports and programs for children that facilitate physical, social, emotional and cognitive growth. An apprenticeship training program consists of on-the-job and in-school training. 

Child Development Practitioner is a trade regulated by the Ontario College of Trades and Apprenticeship Act, 2009. Qualified individuals may obtain a Certificate of Qualification, which confirms its holder has the skills, knowledge and experience that meet industry standards of practice for the trade.

In order to complete an apprenticeship training program in the trade, individuals must become members of the Ontario College of Trades (the College), and apprentices must remain active members for the duration of their apprenticeship.

Career Opportunities

Child Development Practitioner (CDP) deliver services in multiple settings, including, but not limited to, childcare centres/facilities, the preschool sections of hospitals and schools, and Ontario Early Years Centres.

Program Learning Outcomes

The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:

  1. practice and promote health;
  2. foster relationships with children;
  3. plan developmentally appropriate programs and supports emergent learning practices;
  4. cultivate family, cultural and social relationships;
  5. apply intervention strategies;
  6. participate in a team environment with families, colleagues, community members, and support services providers;
  7. work in an interdisciplinary team environment and communicate with other professionals;
  8. practice professionalism and adheres to ethical standards.

External Recognition

Upon completing an apprenticeship, the Ministry of Colleges and Universities (MCU) will issue an individual a Certificate of Apprenticeship. Upon meeting the College’s registration requirements, the individual may apply to become certified and registered as a journeyperson in the trade.

Admission Requirements

To qualify for an apprenticeship, you must:

  • be a least 16 years of age
  • have legal permission to work in Canada (for example, have a valid social insurance number)
  • have a sponsor in Ontario

Additional Information

An apprenticeship involves practical training provided on-the-job by a skilled worker, or trainer. The skills or competencies to be developed are set out by the trade’s Apprenticeship Training Standard and are recognized by the industry as being essential to the practice of the trade.

As these essential skills are developed, the apprentice’s sponsor or trainer signs the relevant sections of the training standard to indicate that the apprentice has met the individual training objectives by demonstrating the skills required of a skilled worker, or journeyperson, in the trade.

To advance to Level 2 of the apprenticeship program, an individual must have completed all of the units outlined in Level 1.

Graduation Requirements

Student must successfully complete both level to receive a certificate.

  • Child Development Practitioner Level 1 - Basic (CDAB)  
  • Child Development Practitioner Level 2 - Intermediate (CDAA) 

Graduation Eligibility

Students must successfully complete all required courses as noted below. Further details, if applicable, are noted under "Additional Information" above.

Program Tracking

Level 1 - Basic (CDAB)

Plan of Study Grid
Program CoursesHours
ECAB 1011 Health,Safety and Nutrition 42
ECAB 1012 Child Development 42
ECAB 1013 Creative Expression 42
ECAB 1014 Foundations of Early Learning Environments 42
ECAB 1015 Foundations of Early Learning Environments Placement 42
ECAB 1016 Child Development 2 42
ECAB 1017 Preschool Learning Environment 1 42
ECAB 1018 Preschool Learning Environment 1 Placement 72
ECAB 1019 School Age Learning Environment 42
ECAB 1020 School Age Learning Environment Placement 39
ECAB 1021 Child Protection 30
ECAB 1022 Inclusive Practice and Advocacy 42
 Hours519
 Total Hours519

Level 2 - Advanced (CDAA)

Plan of Study Grid
Program CoursesHours
ECAA 1011 Interpersonal Communication 42
ECAA 1012 Infant and Toddler Learning Environment 42
ECAA 1013 Infant and Toddler Learning Environment Placement 54
ECAA 1014 Philosophies and Education Models for Early Childhood Development 42
ECAA 1015 Preschool Learning Environment 2 42
ECAA 1016 Preschool Learning Environment 2 Placement 78
ECAA 1017 Child, Family and Community 42
ECAA 1018 Legislation and Social Policy in Early Learning Administration 42
ECAA 1019 Child Development 3: Inclusion of Children with Exceptionalities 42
ECAA 1020 Professional Practice 42
ECAA 1021 Advanced Placement 96
 Hours564
 Total Hours564

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