Associate Teacher

Certificate of Achievement
2022-2023

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About the Program

The Early Care and Education Program is designed to educate students in principles of child growth and development, preparing engaging, developmentally and culturally appropriate curriculum and environments, and experience with applying these principles into direct work with children and their families. The program reflects the current and projected needs of the early childhood profession. Courses are designed to satisfy CA Department of Social Services licensing regulations and the Commission on Teacher Credentialing for work permits. Educating and caring for young children requires study, personal and professional integrity, self-reflection and critical thinking. This program prepares students to: apply theories of child development and educational pedagogy with children birth to eight, create enriching educational environments and curriculum, utilize child-centered, emergent and developmentally appropriate approaches to learning, make meaningful connections with families, support children’s understanding of diversity and inclusion, and support children’s social-emotional well-being.

About the Certificate

This work-based certificate prepares students with foundational knowledge of child development, teaching strategies, relationships with families, and skills with creating a developmentally appropriate curriculum for children birth-age 8.

Career Opportunities

Students who earn this certificate can become assistant teachers in preschool/child care programs.

Program Outcomes

• Upon completion of the Certificate of Achievement in Associate Teacher, students are able to assess children’s development through observation, documentation, reflection and interpretation to guide curriculum and intentional teaching.
• Upon completion of the Certificate of Achievement in Associate Teacher, students are able to compare and contrast diverse cultural values, child rearing practices, attitudes towards play and education by developing respectful reciprocal relationships in order to work effectively with children, families, co-workers and community.
• Upon completion of the Certificate of Achievement in Associate Teacher, students are able to intentionally design inclusive, culturally and linguistically appropriate curriculum to promote positive development for all young children, based on child development, observation and reflection.
• Upon completion of the Certificate of Achievement in Associate Teacher, students are able to synthesize child development research and theories; apply principles with consideration for children's varying characteristics, needs and the multiple interacting influences on children's development.

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Required Core: (13 Units) Units

Course	Units
ECE 50 Early Childhood Principles and Practices	3
ECE 56 Child Growth and Development	3
ECE 62 Child, Family and Community	3
ECE 63 Early Childhood Curriculum	4

Units

Units Category	Units
Total Units	13

Updated: July 2022