Program Description

If your goal is to work with children from birth through age eight in day care, pre-school, or school age programs, the one-year Early Child Care certificate program may be of interest to you. You will gain understanding of child development, plan developmentally appropriate activities and practice the responsibilities of assistant teachers.

If your goal is to work with children from birth through age eight in day care, pre-school, or school age programs, the one-year Early Child Care certificate program may be of interest to you. You will gain understanding of child development, plan developmentally appropriate activities and practice the responsibilities of assistant teachers.

You may enroll for this program on a part-time or full-time basis. It is recommended that students in full-time jobs take no more than two courses per semester.

The following skills and dispositions, with or without reasonable accommodations, are expected of students enrolled in the Early Child Care Certificate program.

1. Emotional stability and psychological health to work with children, families, clients, colleagues and college personnel.
2. Interpersonal skills sufficient to establish a professional relationship with individuals and families from a variety of cultural, social, emotional, and intellectual backgrounds.
3. Effective written and oral communication skills.
4. Critical thinking for assessment and decision making in field placement.
5. Ability to carry out duties and responsibilities in the Early Childhood fieldwork placement, including observation and assessment; monitoring safety needs; moving quickly to ensure children’s safety; and lifting children, equipment and supplies up to 50 pounds.
6. Sufficient stamina to carry out the duties and responsibilities in the Early Childhood fieldwork placement.
7. Character dispositions such as honesty, integrity, caring and empathy.