Orientation courses are non-credit courses required to receive a specific classification of Child Care Services (CCS) Certification in Newfoundland and Labrador.
These courses:
A refundable registration fee is required to enroll in an orientation course.
Please review the Orientation Courses Information Booklet available under the Resources for full details about:
If an orientation course is offered by another organization or individual, it must have prior approval from AECENL for the completion certificate to be recognized for certification purposes.
Always confirm approval with AECENL before enrolling in a course offered by an outside provider.
Information about Child Care Services Certification processes, requirements and application forms can be found on the Certification page of this website.
If you have questions about how to enroll in an orientation course, please contact:
AECENL Office of Child Care Services Certification
Email: registrar@aecenl.ca
Phone: (709) 579-3004
please contact the Orientation Course and Online Specialist:
Email: orientationcourse@aecenl.ca
Phone: (709) 579-8993
The first step is to apply for child care services certification in Newfoundland and Labrador with an Initial Application. Click here to find the initial application under the ‘Certification’ page.
AECENL's Registrar will then determine if an orientation course or courses are necessary to receive the certification classifications for which you applied. If you require an orientation course, registration information will be sent to you.
If the orientation course is required to obtain child care centre - trainee level certification (Preschool and/or School-Age) under the NL Child Care Act and associated regulations acceptance letter into an Early Childhood Education program from a recognized post-secondary institution is also required before the certification can be issued.
To add a classification to existing certification individuals can simply request the classification in writing from the Registrar without an application.
A written request in form of an email, mail, or fax should include the following information:
Once the request is received the registrar will determine if an orientation course is necessary and if so will send registration information to the individual.
Adding a classification might change the level of certification. If the new classification changes certification to centre based trainee level, then under the NL Child Care Act and associated regulations enrolment letter into an Early Childhood Education program from a recognized post-secondary institution is also required before the certification with the new classification can be issued.
The Preschool Orientation Course (PSOC) introduces the care and education of children ages 1 year 6 months to 5 years of age in a centre based child care setting and comprises 4 modules of study (2 assignments and 4 quizzes)
The School-Age Child Care Orientation Course (SAOC) introduces the care and education of children ages 4 through 13 in a centre based child care setting. The School-Age orientation course is broken down into 5 sections with an assignment/quiz for each.
The Infant Child Care Orientation Course (IOC) gives an introduction to the care and education of children ages birth to 24 months in a centre based child care setting. It consists of a textbook, resource materials and 2 Study Guides with 7 assignments. *Individual has to hold a minimum Level One in Preschool to enroll in the course.
The Pre-kindergarten Orientation Course (PKOC) addresses the care and education of children ages from 3 years and 8 months up to 5 years and 9 months in a centre-based pre-kindergarten program setting. It consists of 5 modules with 2 quizzes and 3 assignments.
The Family Child Care Orientation Course (FCCOC) is the National Level I Family Child Care Training Course developed by The Canadian Child Care Federation. It covers the care and education of children ages birth through 12 years of age in a family child care setting. There are 12 units, with a corresponding assignment after each.
