Child Development
Our Child Development program prepares students for a fulfilling career in childhood education. Students apply developmental theories in observations and assessments of children and develop skills needed to work effectively with families, co-workers, and community agencies. They also learn to design, implement, and evaluate developmentally appropriate and culturally sensitive curriculum. We offer an Associate of Arts degree and an Associate Degrees for Transfer, in addition to three certificates that can prepare you to work in as little as six months. Students in this program can explore careers in preschools, after school programs and various child enrichment programs. By continuing to a 4-year university, students can explore careers as teachers, curriculum specialists, occupational therapists and more.
$2,208
Approximate cost for an El Camino College AA degree in child development.29K
Careers associated with this program have a salary range from $21,000 to $51,000 with
an average salary of $29,000.8.7%
Career opportunities for this program are expected to grow 8.7% nationwide from 2016
to 2026.Choose a Degree Designed for Classroom Jobs or Transfer
Many El Camino child development students want to start their careers as soon as possible. Others aim to continue their education at a four-year college or university. We offer options perfect for either goal.
Degrees
With this degree, you will be prepared to work with infants, toddlers, preschoolers, children with special needs, or children in before- and after-school care. It’s a great option if you want to work in a classroom right away or continue your studies at another school.
- Apply developmental theories in teaching, observing, and assessing children in physical, cognitive, and psychosocial areas.
- Develop skills needed to interact with families, co-workers, and community agencies.
- Design, implement, and evaluate developmentally appropriate and culturally sensitive curriculum for young students.
- Complete most lower-division requirements for a bachelor’s degree.
With this degree, you will be prepared for careers in private or public programs serving infants, toddlers, preschoolers, children with special needs, or children in before and after school care. The transfer degree option prepares you to continue studies at a four-year institution and major in Child Development, Child and Adolescent Development, Human Development, or Education.
Catalog Program MapperWith this degree, you will be able to pursue a multiple-subject teaching credential authorizing them to teach in grades K-5. You will study a broad range of subjects to prepare them for teaching, including English, mathematics, science, social science, visual and performing arts, and human development.
Catalog Program Mapper
Certificates
Early childhood education is where youngsters first discover to interact with others and begin their journey as learners. Our certificate program prepares you to work immediately in a private/public school.
- Apply developmental theories in observing and assessing children in physical, cognitive, and psychosocial areas.
- Design, implement, and evaluate developmentally appropriate and culturally sensitive curriculum for young students.
Our early intervention assistant certificate program prepares you to work one-on-one with preschool-age students.
- Apply developmental theories in observing and assessing children in physical, cognitive, and psychosocial areas.
- Design, implement, and evaluate developmentally appropriate and culturally sensitive curriculum for young students.
- Learn to be an advocate for young students by developing skills needed to interact with families, co-workers, and community agencies.
Our early intervention assistant certificate program prepares you to work with school-age children.
- Study curriculum and intervention strategies for working with children with special needs.
- Observe and assess the individualized needs of children.
- Learn to be an advocate for students by developing skills needed to interact with families, co-workers, and community agencies.
Through this free, noncredit certficate you will learn milestones, developmentally appropriate practices, positive adult/child interactions, the effects of context and culture on development, the importance of play, accessing community resources and advocacy.
CatalogThrough this free, noncredit certficate you will learn about parenting/caregiving roles, with the goal of providing a strong foundation in empathetic, intentional and culturally responsive parenting skills.
Catalog
I always say that child development classes gave me the information I needed to understand children better, but the club gave me the experiences to put into practice. Because of all the activities I participated in, I feel prepared for the next step in my life after graduating.”
Pursue an Entry-Level Classroom Job or Further Education
As an El Camino child development graduate, you’ll be ready to start work in a classroom immediately or pursue a bachelor’s degree at another school. We’ll help you build the knowledge and hands-on skills for any path you choose.
- Work in a preschool, after-school program, enrichment program, community center, art/dance class, athletic class, or youth services agency.
- Apply and implement developmental teaching theories in an early childhood education setting under guided supervision.
- Prepare to earn a California Child Development Permit.
- Take classes such as Child Growth and Development, Teaching Young Children in a Diverse Society, and Science and Math for Young Children.
- Learn strategies for working with children and adults, classroom management skills, program philosophies, and techniques for finding a job.
Participate in Academic and Career Opportunities
Gain hands-on career experience and opportunities to learn about child development careers and practice skills in classroom settings.
- Join the very active Child Development Club, which sponsors:
- Regular in-person events/playgroups for youngsters
- Parenting workshops;
- Professional development workshops/lectures;
- Info sessions about requirements needed to earn state-issued child development permits; and
- Guest speakers who share career insights/paths.
- Join the Future Teachers' Club.
- Access our Teacher Resource Room, stocked with teaching supplies such as laminators, bookbinders, die cuts, children's books, puppets, flannel stories, teacher resource books, computers, scanners, and more.
- Expand your education to become a teacher, preschool director, curriculum specialist, special needs program supervisor, occupational therapist, and more.
- Participate in tutoring sessions available in multiple subjects.
Child Development Permit Information
Child Development Permit Matrix
Child Development Training Consortium
California Early Childhood Mentor Program
California Community College Early Childhood Educators
Check the Status of your Permit Application Here
Questions? Contact Us
El Camino College Child Development Department