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What is
Childhood Development Program?
CD courses provide employment opportunities in child
development centers to serve as a stepping stone to advanced degrees and
careers in teaching and related fields.
The Child Development Program
introduces the student to exciting ideas about how
children grow and develop physically, emotionally, and mentally; an
interrelated process that begins at birth and continues throughout life.
The Child Development Program focuses on children from birth through the age of
eight.
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What is this field all about?
Since the field of early childhood studies focuses on very young
children, most job opportunities are to be found in child development
centers serving infants, toddlers, and three through five year olds. Work
with young children can be rewarding and interesting, taking us back to an
age we probably don't remember!
In private or public centers, the
opportunities are diverse and numerous, and include:
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Teaching aide or assistant |
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Teacher - generally, twelve units of college credit are required of
teachers in private centers. |
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Those who pursue the A.S. Degree (60 units), the E.C.S.
Certificate (44 units), or the Child Development Permit (40 units plus
experience hours) will be qualified for higher-paying work in private
or public center |
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Site Supervisor or Program Director - with additional courses in
Administration and Supervision, those interested in directing child
development programs can realize their goals. The number of units
required varies according to the type of center |
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How do I enroll?
High School students may earn college credit while still in high
school and get a head start on future employment working with young
children by enrolling in qualifying classes at their high schools, R.O.P.
(county-operated Regional Occupations Program), or college courses.
Re-entry or first time college students
should visit the counseling
center.
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The increasing demand for teachers of young children due to
population growth and changes in California's educational system. |
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The study of human development allows you to see learning take
place; young children are acquiring knowledge in everything they
do. |
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You can earn credits to begin working with young children in a
short time, or use courses as a link to a teaching credential or
other work with children. |
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To become a successful parent! |
Program benefits include:
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New Job Skills |
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Qualified teachers |
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Certificate of completion |
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High school and college credit |
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Job search assistance |
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A child development center offers care and/or early learning to
young children and is licensed by the State of California. It may
also be called a preschool, day care or child care center. |
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A "private" center is licensed under Title 22
regulations and administered by non-profit (churches, for example)
or for-profit organizations. Here, parents usually pay a fee for
services. Rules regarding teacher-child ratio and staff
qualifications are usually less restrictive than in... |
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"Public" centers, whose funding comes from the state;
here, parents pay sliding scale or no fees. Title 5 regulations
require more advanced educational levels of the staff, among other
differences. |
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Examples
of required courses
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The core - Most private centers will require teachers to complete at
least 12 units of before employment. CD 125 (Child Family &
Community) is required by the licensing agency; Child Development. |
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The CD Certificate - students can earn the certificate which
can enhance employment possibilities. |
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The Child Development Permit is required for teachers in
state-funded centers. While it has many levels, the most common goal
is the teacher level, for which 40 units must be earned, and combined
with hours of experience in a licensed early childhood setting. |
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Students
can receive college articulated credit, |
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Authentic
"hands on" experience with infants, toddlers and pre-schoolers, |
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Employment
experience, |
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Recognized
as a model program for California, |
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Qualified Teachers - Our
teachers are not only properly credentialed to teach but also have many
years of experience in jobs related to their ROP class. |
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Certificate of Completion - The
ROP Certificate of Completion is your diploma for successfully completing
your job training. |
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Career Counseling -
College have a career center guidance staff person. These centers are
designed to assist you in making decisions about your future. Through
activities in the career center or counseling office you may discover what
jobs best match your interest and abilities. |
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