Early Intervention and Inclusion

The Child Development program certificates are designed to prepare students for employment as teachers, aides, directors, and entrepreneurs in preschools, child care centers (including infant/toddler facilities), and family child care programs. Courses are also appropriate for parents, nannies, camp counselors, recreation leaders, elementary school teaching assistants, social service and health care practitioners, administrators, and others working with children. Certificates meet the course requirements for teachers and directors of private child care programs licensed by the California State Department of Social Services (Title 22), Community Care Licensing. The program also meets the course work requirements for the Child Development Permit issued by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing. Child development programs that are state or federally funded (Title 5 programs, such as Head Start and state preschools) follow the Child Development Permit matrix. The Child Development program offers six certificates to meet the individual student's needs. Because the certificates follow the Child Development Permit matrix and are sequential, students can continue to earn additional certificates. Course work completed for the Assistant and Associate Teacher certificates provides the foundation for more specialized courses and a wider range of career options with the Teacher, Master Teacher, Site Supervisor, Entrepreneurship, and Early Intervention and Inclusion certificates. This certificate is designed to train students to work with young children with special needs (birth to 8 years of age), with those who may be at risk for developmental delays and disabilities, and with their families. This certificate is appropriate for students working as an assistant or a paraprofessional in early intervention or early childhood special education, or as a teacher in an inclusive early childhood program.