Childhood Education
A.A. Degree, Certificates of Achievement, and Permits

El Camino College Childhood Education Major Requirements
Certificates of Achievement
Child Development Permits

The degree and the certificates in childhood education prepare students 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 students to continue studies at a four-year institution. Students will acquire the ability to apply developmental theories in observing and assessing children in physical, cognitive, and psychosocial domains and will develop skills needed for working effectively with families, co-workers, and community agencies. Students will also gain the ability to design, implement, and evaluate developmentally appropriate and culturally sensitive curriculum. Program assessment will be conducted regularly through examinations, presentations, student self-assessment, portfolios, and tracking student employment and promotion in the teaching field.

El Camino College Major Requirements

A minimum of 15 units of the major requirements must be completed at El Camino College.

• Child Development 103, 104, 112, 114
• Child Development 150 or 1522
• Two courses from: Child Development 116, 117, 118, 119
• Complete 8-9 units from Child Development 105, 107, 108, 110, 114, 116, 117, 118, 119, 122, 123, 125, 126, 129, 130, 136, 150, 152, 154, 160, 163, 166, 169, 170A, 170B; 
• Nutrition and Foods 15
• Total Units: 29-30

Note: Proof of a valid Pediatric CPR and First Aid Certification may be required for employment. This requirement may be met by successfully completing Child Development 111.

Certificates of Achievement

Early Childhood Education Option
A Certificate of Achievement will be granted upon completion of the courses listed below.

• A minimum of 12 units must be completed at El Camino College.
• Child Development 103, 104, 108, 112, 114
• One course from Child Development 116, 117, 118, 119
• Total Units: 18

Early Intervention Assistant Option (pending approval by the California Community Colleges System Office)
A Certificate of Achievement will be granted upon completion of the courses listed below.

• A minimum of 15 units, including Child Development 169, must be completed at El Camino College.
• Child Development 103, 104, 107, 110, 111, 150, 152, 169 
• Three units from: Child Development 116, 117, 119
• Three units from: Child Development 114, 154, 160, 163, 166
• Total Units: 28

Special Education Assistant Option
A Certificate of Achievement will be granted upon completion of the courses listed below.

• A minimum of 15 units of the certificate requirements, including Child Development 152 and 154, must be completed at El Camino College. 
• Child Development 103, 104, 111, 150, 152, 154, 169 
• One course from Child Development 110 or Nursing 112 
• One course from Child Development 116, 117, 118, 119 
• Six units from: Child Development 107, 108, 114, 122, 123, 163, 166, 170A, 170B, Nursing 118, Nutrition and Foods 15, Sign Language/Interpreter Training 15
• Total Units: 31

For information regarding the School Health Clerk Certificate of Achievement, please refer to page 222 of this Catalog.

The State Department of Social Services will qualify a person as a preschool teacher if the student has at least 12 units in Early Childhood Education.
These units must include Child Development 103, 104 and one course from Child Development 116, 117, 118, or 119.
Preschool directors must complete 3 additional units in Program Administration (Child Development 29 or 30).

Child Development Permits

The California State Department of Education Child Development Permits:
The Child Development Permit qualifies the holder to teach in publicly funded early childhood education programs such as Head Start and State Preschool.

All Child Development Permits are renewable after 5 years by completing 105 hours of professional growth activities. This may include college courses, staff development activities and/or conference and workshop attendance.

A minimum grade of C is required in all Child Development courses applied toward the Child Development Permit.

Some Child Development Permits require 16 general education units. Recommended courses for this requirement are: Biology 10; English 1A, 27; Psychology 5 or Sociology 101 or Anthropology 2.

The following Child Development Permits are issued:

1. Assistant: 6 units in Early Childhood Education - Child Development 103 and 104 are recommended; experience: none required

2. Associate Teacher: 12 units in Early Childhood Education to include: Child Development 103, 104, and one course from Child Development 116, 117, 118, 119; remaining 3 units may be selected from Child Development 107, 108, 110, 111, 112, 116, 117, 118, 119, 122, 123, 131, 150, 152, 154, Nursing 112, Nutrition and Foods 15; experience: 50 days of 3 hours per day within 2 years

3. Teacher: 24 units in Early Childhood Education to include: Child Development 103, 104, and one course from Child Development 116, 117, 118, 119; remaining units may be selected from Child Development 107, 108, 110, 111, 112, 116, 117, 118, 119, 122, 123, 129, 130, 131, 150, 152, 154, 95/96abcd, Nursing 112, Nutrition and Foods 15; 16 general education units; experience: 175 days of 3 hours per day within 4 years

4. Master Teacher: 24 units in Early Childhood Education to include: Child Development 103, 104, and one course from Child Development 116, 117, 118, 119; remaining units may be selected from Child Development 107, 108, 110, 111, 112, 116, 117, 118, 119, 122, 123, 126, 129, 130, 150, 152, 154, 95/96abcd, Nursing 112, Nutrition and Foods 15; 6 units specialization; Child Development 31; 16 general education units; experience: 350 days of 3 hours per day within 4 years

5. Site Supervisor: AA Degree with 24 units in Early Child Education to include: Child Development 103, 104, and one course from Child Development 116, 117, 118, 119; 6 units Program Administration (Child Development 29, 30); remaining units may be selected from Child Development 107, 108, 110, 111, 112, 116, 117, 118, 119, 122, 123, 126, 150, 152, 154, Nursing 112, Nutrition and Foods 15; Child Development 31; experience: 350 days of 3 hours per day within 4 years, including at least 100 days of supervising adults

For further information, place contact a counselor or the Seeds Permit Specialist at 310-660-3593 ext. 3755 or email at seeds@elcamino.edu.

Preparation for the Transfer Major

For information on specific university major requirements, please obtain a transfer curriculum guide sheet in the Counseling Services Center, consult with your counselor, or visit the Transfer Center. You may use the transfer major requirements to help you fulfill your associate degree requirements.