The Early Childhood Studies Associate Teacher Certificate is designed for students intending to work in Early Childhood Education, or a similar field, or for students interested in studying Child Development for general understanding of child growth and development within the family and cultural context. Students who complete  this Certificate will develop the knowledge of subject matter and professional skills that enable them to work in the Early Education and Family Development fields, or any related professional area.

The Early Childhood Studies Associate Teacher Certificate of Achievement demonstrates that a student has met the educational requirements to apply for an Associate Teacher level permit issued by the California Commission on Techer Credentialing. This educational criterion also demonstrates that a student has met minimum educational requirements set by Title 22 licensing regulations for the State of California.

Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to: 

• Interpret best and promising teaching and care practices as it relates to the history of Early Childhood Education, range of delivery systems, program types and philosophies and ethical standards.
• Design, implement and evaluate environments and activities that support positive developmental play and learning outcomes for all young children.
• Critique strategies that support and empower families through respectful, reciprocal relationships to involve all families in their children’s development and learning.
• Critically assess community support services and agencies that are available to families and agencies that are available to families and how those services impact the relationship between children and families.
• Demonstrate systematic observation methods to provide data to assess the impact of the environment, interactions, and curriculum on all domains of children’s learning and development.