Early Childhood Education Certificate

Lead Faculty: Dr. Susan B. Gilbert

The Early Childhood Education Certificate program has been designed to include the competencies and guidelines as established by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) Advanced Program standards. The certificate is also structured to meet the State of California Child Development Permit Matrix requirements for employment in pre-school settings and, as such, does not confer a State of California teaching credential or license.

Non-residents of California; military personnel or their dependents; and international students should contact the Department of Education of the state in which they reside or intend to reside, or the Ministry of Education of the country in which they live, to determine specific requirements for employment. State or country specific coursework, in addition to the certificate program, may be required to obtain a permit, license or credential necessary for employment. Candidates assume the responsibility for determining and meeting these requirements.

The four course sequence specializing in early childhood education is designed to prepare candidates with teaching experience for meeting the unique needs of teaching children from birth to age 8.

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this certificate, candidates are expected to:

• Identify essential concepts, inquiry tools, and structure of content areas including academic Subject and resources to deepen their understanding.
• Demonstrate communication skills in utilizing complex characteristics of children’s families and communities.
• Create environments that are healthy, respectful, supportive, and challenging that demonstrate understanding of young children’s characteristics and needs, and multiple interacting influences on children’s development and learning.
• Use systematic observations, documentation, and other effective assessment strategies in a responsible manner in partnership with families and other professionals to positively influence children’s development and learning.
• Design, implement and evaluate experiences that promote positive development and learning for all children.
• Use a wide array of effective approaches, strategies, and tools to positively influence children’s development and learning.
• Design, implement, and evaluate meaningful, challenging curriculum that promotes comprehensive developmental and learning outcomes for all young children.
• Know and apply appropriate ethical guidelines and other professional standards related to early childhood practice.
• Create positive relationships and supportive interactions as the foundation for their work with young children.

Requirements

(4 courses, 18 quarter units)

ECE 650 - The Early Childhood Teacher
ECE 651 -  Transitions in Early Childhood
ECE 652 - Cognition and the Young Child
ECE 653 -  Best ECE Teaching Practices

Program Information

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Related Downloads

• Careers in Early Childhood Education