Early Childhood Teacher Certificate of Achievement

This certificate meets the education requirements of the Teacher level of the Child Development Permit issued by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CCTC). Developmental and learning theory as well as appropriate strategies for teaching and caring for children ages birth to 8 will be studied and applied. Family collaboration, cultural sensitivity, and relationship based practice will be emphasized. This certificate prepares students to provide competent and effective care and instruction of children in a child care and development program, and supervise an associate teacher, assistant teacher, classroom aide and/or volunteer in a variety of children’s settings. Additional work with children (175 days of 3+ hours per day within 4 years) is required to obtain the Teacher Permit.

A minimum grade of “C” in each course is required to receive the certificate and/or qualify for the Child Development Permit.

Program Student Learning Outcomes

Students who complete this program will be able to:

Describe developmental milestones for children in the areas of physical, psychosocial, cognitive, and language development.
Identify environmental, cultural, familial, economic, political, and historical contexts that influence all children’s development.
Demonstrate a range of skills and knowledge related to the unique need of children ages 0-8 years.
Apply developmental theory, knowledge of child development, DCLAP, and research based teaching strategies to develop curriculum for the unique educational needs of young children individually and in group care settings.
Demonstrate developmentally appropriate observation, assessment, and documentation skills that can be applied to interpretations of growth and development, planning, and identification of individual needs.
Demonstrate professional skills including ethical practice, reflective practice, written and verbal communication, collaboration, advocacy, and identification of personal qualifications in relationship to state and national requirements for teachers of young children.

Core Courses

CDE 101 PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICES OF TEACHING YOUNG CHILDREN 3 Units
CDE 15 CHILD, FAMILY, AND COMMUNITY 3 Units
CDE 7 CHILD GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT 3 Units
or
CDE 7H HONORS CHILD GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT 3 Units *
CDE 110 INTRODUCTION TO CURRICULUM 3 Units *
CDE 111 CHILD GUIDANCE AND COMMUNICATION 3 Units *
CDE 112 HEALTH, SAFETY, AND NUTRITION 3 Units *
CDE 117 TEACHING IN A DIVERSE SOCIETY 3 Units *
CDE 120 OBSERVATION AND ASSESSMENT 3 Units *
CDE 121 PRACTICUM-THE STUDENT TEACHING EXPERIENCE 5 Units *

General Education (16 units)

At least one course in each of the 4 identified general education areas:

English or Language Arts
Science or Math
Social Sciences
Humanities or Fine Arts 16 Units

Total Units for the Certificate: 45

*Course has a prerequisite, corequisite, limitation, or recommended preparation; see course description.