Child Development/Preschool Director (CERT)
Department website: https://www.cerritos.edu/child-development/
This program welcomes students from diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds. Male students are encouraged to investigate career opportunities in Child Development. The Child Development Department offers several different options for the student interested in working with young children. It is important for you to know, as a Child Development major, when you observe in classrooms to complete your assignments, enroll in CDEC 164 Practicum AND when you apply for a job working in a licensed facility with young children, you will need the following due to the Health & Safety Code:
Section 1596.7995 (a)(1) Commencing September 1, 2016, a person shall not be employed or volunteer at a day care center if he or she has not been immunized against influenza, pertussis, and measles (according to most recent CDC Adult Schedule (Adult Immunization Schedules and Tools for Providers/CDC). Each employee and volunteer shall receive an influenza vaccination between August 1 and December 1 of each year.
• 2 Vaccines (MMR- Series of 2 & Pertussis- Tdap, every 10 years)
• FLU shot (between August 1st & December 1st) and
• TB test (within last 2 years, chest X-ray good for 5 years)
*Documentation of each vaccine, the flu shot and your TB test results will be required. See attached CDEC 164 Practicum form for more information, on page 11).
All full-time Child Development Instructors are available to advise students in all of the following areas:
CERTIFICATES OF ACHIEVEMENT – This is a carefully planned course of classes that will meet requirements of the Department of Social Services and the Child Development Permit as well as when combined with the required general education classes will lead to an A.A. and AS-T. This offers even greater career options. Petitions for the Certificate of Achievement must be made through the Cerritos College office of Admissions and Records. The deadline for submitting petitions is listed in the Schedule of Classes each semester.
CERTIFICATE OF ACHIEVEMENT
In the Child Development/Early Childhood Education/Preschool Director (CD/ECE) classes, faculty model developmentally appropriate practice and social constructivism, by acknowledging different learning styles and the importance of social relationships when using an active learning approach, within a comfortable, flexible and inviting learning environment. Through reading, writing, discussing, observing and actual experiences with young children at the Cerritos College Child Development Center and other participating ECE programs in the surrounding communities with Mentor Teachers through the California Mentor Program, ECE students build a strong foundation about how children learn and develop.
Program Student Learning Outcomes
- Students create highly engaging, stimulating, and safe learning environments which promote the healthy development of young children.
- Students examine children's individual differences and plan intentional learning experiences based on the unique developmental abilities and interests of the children in their care.
- Students explain early childhood and child development theories to inform their teaching principles and practices.
- Students observe, analyze and document children's learning and development.
- Students value positive relationships with others and demonstrate an inclusive approach in their interactions with children, families, colleagues, and staff.
Program Requirements
| Code Number | Course Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Start with | ||
| Child Development/Early Childhood Certificate of Achievement | ||
| CD 110 | Child Development | 3.0 |
| CDEC 111 | Principles and Practices in Early Childhood Education | 3.0 |
| CDEC 112 | Introduction to Curriculum | 3.0 |
| CDEC 113 | The Child, Family, and Community | 3.0 |
| CD 124 | Teaching in a Diverse Society | 3.0 |
| CD 139 | Observation, Assessment, and Positive Guidance of Childhood Behavior | 3.0 |
| CDEC 161 | Health, Safety, and Nutrition | 3.0 |
| CDEC 164 | Practicum Field Experience | 3.0 |
| Subtotal | 24 | |
| Add one of the 6-unit Optional Specialties (your choice) | 6.0 | |
Infant/Toddler Specialization | ||
| Infant and Toddler Development (3) | ||
| Care and Education for Infants and Toddlers (3) | ||
OR Special Education Specialization | ||
| Introduction to Children with Special Needs (3) | ||
| Curriculum and Strategies for Children with Special Needs (3) | ||
OR ECE Curriculum Planning Specialization | ||
(Choose 2 out of the 4 below) | ||
| Exploring Creative Art Expression by Children (3) | ||
| Early Childhood Experiences in Language Arts and Social Sciences (3) | ||
| Music and Movement for Children (3) | ||
| Early Childhood Experiences in Mathematics and Science (3) | ||
| 6 Unit Specialty Option 6 Next complete these three classes | ||
| CDEC 166 | Administration I: Programs in Early Childhood Education (3) | 3.0 |
| CDEC 167 | Administration II: Personnel and Leadership in Early Childhood Education (3) | 3.0 |
| CDEC 230 | Adult Supervision and Mentoring in Early Care and Education (3) | 3.0 |
| Total Units | 39 | |