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Early Childhood Education, Associate Teacher Certificate

Upon completing this certificate and with appropriate documented experience, the student meets the minimum requirements for employment in a privately funded childcare or family day care program. Certificates are designed to meet varying employment levels and focused training with infants and school-age children. These requirements are outlined in Title 22 (Dept. of Social Services) regulations for child care licensing.

Total Units:
16

First Year

Semester 1

9 Units
Course Units Pre-Reqs^ Semesters Offered*
ECE 300
Introduction to Principles and Practices in Early Childhood Education
3
F, S
ECE 312 1
Child Development
3
Advisory: ENGL C1000
F, S, Su
ECE 314 2
The Child, the Family and the Community
3
F, S, Su

1 Course also offered during summer term. Must be completed before semester 2.

2 Course also offered during summer term.

Semester 2

7 Units
Course Units Pre-Reqs^ Semesters Offered*
ECE 320 1
Curriculum and Interactions in Early Childhood Education
4
ECE 300 & 312 & Co-req: ECE 326; TB clearance & proof of immunization.
F, S
ECE 326
Making Learning Visible Through Observation and Documentation
3
ECE 312
F, S

^You must have passed the prerequisite course(s) with a ā€œCā€ or better; Corequisite must be taken during the same semester; Advisory means it is recommended but not required to enroll in the course.

*(O) = online available (P) = partially online

1 102-108 in-person lab hours at qualifying site. Under California law (Title 22) any persons working directly with children must provide proof of current Tuberculosis clearance and provide any required proof of immunizations (currently: measles, pertussis, and influenza/influenza waiver).

Career Options/Outlook:

The ECE Associate Teacher Certificate prepares individuals for entry-level teaching roles in early childhood education settings, providing them with the foundational skills needed to work with young children from birth to age five. This certificate meets the educational requirements for the California Child Development Associate Teacher Permit, qualifying graduates for various positions in licensed child care centers, preschools, Head Start programs, and family child care homes.

A sample of reported job titles:

Career Opportunities with an ECE Associate Teacher Certificate:

Associate Teacher (Preschool or Child Care Center) 

Preschool Teacher Assistant 

Head Start Assistant Teacher 

Infant/Toddler Assistant Teacher

Family Child Care Assistant 

Projected job openings in California (2020-2030):

76,820

Projected growth in California (2020-2030):

15% growth

Median Salary in California with advanced degree (2021):

$58,750/yr

Program Notes:

To be eligible for the Child Development Permit (Associate Teacher) students must also complete experience requirements for the particular permit for which they are applying. See ECE Department for further information.

Field Experience

Please note that ECE 320 has a 102-108 supervised field experience lab requirement per course. This is an approved program/curriculum course required by the California Code of Regulations Title 22 and Title 5. Under the supervision of a qualified Mentor Teacher, students will complete 3.5 in-person scheduled lab hours twice a week at the CRC Child Development Center or an instructor-approved early learning and care setting. Up to 50 days of experience can be applied to California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CCTC) Child Development Permits for students completing ECE 320 & 321. Up to 100 hours of supervised clinical practice equivalency (in-person lab hours) may be applied to a PK-3 Early Childhood Education (ECE) Specialist Instruction Credential Program (CCTC). The college requires all lab students to complete a lab waiver within the learning management system. Students must show current proof of tuberculosis clearance, pertussis immunization, and measles immunization. Additionally, students enrolled in the fall semester must be immunized against influenza, or submit an influenza waiver.

About this program map:

This program map represents one possible pathway to complete the program. Please see a counselor to create an education plan customized to meet your needs. This map is not a guarantee of course availability or financial aid applicability.

Zero Textbook Costs (ZTC):

The Zero Textbook Costs designation and logo are added to any course that provides free access to all required instructional materials. These are typically shared with students through Canvas. Courses that are designated as ZTC may still require students to purchase supplemental materials such as lab coats, a calculator, art supplies, etc. See full definitions and searching tips on the Zero Textbook Costs page of the college website.

Catalog Year: 2025-2026

Published May 17, 2025

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