If you are beginning the program:
Often students are unsure about where to start. We recommend you begin with our Child Growth and Development course. This course is not only an introduction to Child Development, it is a pre-requisite for many of our other courses, but it also counts towards your general education requirements. With any class, aalways check pre-requisites to make sure that you have them completed before taking the desired class. Pre/Co-requisites are listed in the College Catalog as well as in the online class schedule by clicking on the CRN (Course Reference Number).
Licensing Units in California:
To teach in early care and education, the state of California has the minimum requirement of 12 Units of coursework in Child Development or Early Childhood Education. This is a minimum requirement. To be an effective and quality educator, it is recommended that you earn beyond this minimum expectation. The Child Development and Education department offers a variety of certificates which meet the minimum state requirements for employment, but also prepares a candidate to qualify for higher levels of the California Child Development Permit (which is issued at the State level).
The coursework which meets the minimum licensing units to teach preschool are as follows:
- Child Growth and Development
- Child, Family, and Community
- Principles and Practices of Teaching Young Children
- Curriculum
To work with Infants and Toddlers, a minimum of 3 units focused on this age group must also be completed
- These course titles are universal among all California Community Colleges
