PURPOSE: The one-year certificate in Early Childhood Development is designed to prepare students with skills related to the care, supervision, education, and development of young children from birth to age eight. There is also the ability to become qualified to work with children up to the age of twelve in programs that serve before- and after-school and recreational programs.
OCCUPATIONAL OBJECTIVES: Employment opportunities include preparation or upgrading skills for positions as child care center directors, assistant directors, before- and after-schoolteachers or assistant teachers, aides, playroom attendants, home-based providers or day care workers, camp directors, and before-and after-school teachers in the following types of facilities: child day care centers, nursery schools, family day care homes, Head Start programs, recreational before- and after-school programs, hospital-based child care programs, pre-school at-risk programs, and pre-kindergarten church-sponsored programs.
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS: General college curricular admission
PROGRAM NOTES: General college curricular admission, including direct enrollment English and Math placement. Students who do not meet required placement levels must enroll in developmental studies courses. It is recommended that students arrange for a personal interview and advising appointment with the program head.
An observation and participation in an approved early childhood/primary setting are required in the second semester of the Early Childhood curriculum. This is a practicum experience internship in a licensed or approved childcare setting. It is a planned learning experience for the purpose of pulling together the theories and practice learned in the classroom. A Criminal Record Clearance/Sex Offender Registry Check is required for placement and volunteering. Students should see the program head for a list of convictions that will prevent employment. Students will be expected to complete a tuberculosis test before practicum placement.
Students must attain a grade of “C” or higher in all courses with CHD, PSY, and EDU course prefixes.
COMPUTER COMPETENCY REQUIREMENT: Students in this program will meet the college’s computer competency requirement by successfully completing ITE 152 , or EDU 280 (Introduction to Instructional Technologies) . Students can also meet this requirement by passing the college’s computer competency exam, administered in the testing centers on each campus, in which case they will receive college credit for ITE 152 . Students not passing the computer competency exam may retake the exam only once.
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