Early Childhood Development Certificate

Print Degree Planner (opens a new window) |

PURPOSE: This program trains students in the care, education, and supervision of young children birth to age eight. The curriculum is designed to develop and improve the skills of persons seeking employment in early care and education, or for those persons currently employed who wish to update and enhance their skills. Occupational opportunities include lead teacher or assistant teacher in settings such as preschools, childcare centers and homes, Head Start/Early Head Start programs, and before-and after-school programs. The Certificate is at Level 5 of the Virginia Career Pathways for Early Childhood and Out-of-School Time Practitioners, where Level 3 is a Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential and Level 4 is an Early Childhood Development Career Studies Certificate. In addition, students will have earned 31 of the 62 credits required for the Early Childhood Development Associate of Applied Science degree (Pathways Level 6).

By the completion of this program, students will be expected to demonstrate an introductory level of competency in the following skills:

Apply developmental knowledge to create healthy, respectful, supportive, and challenging learning environments for young children
Use systematic observation and documentation to assess the development of all children.
Implement a wide array of developmentally appropriate approaches, instructional strategies, and tools appropriate for individual children
Design, implement, and evaluate developmentally appropriate and meaningful curriculum for each child.

PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS AND SPECIAL CONDITIONS: Students must meet JTCC admission requirements. Students may need to complete placement tests in English. Visit www.jtcc.edu/placement for all course placement options. If students have deficiencies in English, JTCC offers developmental and prerequisite courses to prepare students for the curriculum. New students should visit the Advising Center and returning students their faculty advisor for more information.

Text in italics and parentheses indicates approved course substitutions. Pre-requisite and co-requisite requirements can be found in course details.

Required Courses

SDV 101 - Orientation to Discipline 1 credit (SDV 100 , SDV 101 Orientation to Early Childhood Education)
CHD 120 - Introduction to Early Childhood Education 3 credits
CHD 145 - Methods and Materials for Teaching Art, Music and Movement to Children 3 credits
CHD 165 - Observation and Participation in Early Childhood/Primary Settings 3 credits ^{1, 2}
CHD 205 - Guiding the Behavior of Children 3 credits
EDU 235 - Health, Safety, and Nutrition Education 3 credits
MILESTONE: Early Childhood Career Studies Certificate (see faculty advisor)
ENG 111 - College Composition I 3 credits
PSY 230 - Developmental Psychology 3 credits
CHD 118 - Language Arts for Young Children 3 credits (Offered Spring only)
CHD 146 - Teaching Math, Science and Social Studies for Children 3 credits (Offered Spring only)
CHD 166 - Infant and Toddler Programs 3 credits (Offered Fall only)

Total Minimum Credits to Complete: 31

NOTES:

¹CHD 165 is a practicum class that requires students to observe young children and participate in an approved early childhood setting for 40 hours throughout the semester.

²To enroll in CHD 165 students must have a declared early childhood major and complete a TB screening, a criminal background check and a sex offender registry check, as a condition of placement in a practicum site. Students are expected to cover all costs for these procedures.

³Students should regularly meet with their faculty advisor and check their advisement report in MyTyler – SIS.

⁴Courses noted as Fall only or Spring only are based on historical trends and current planning and may change without notice.