Early Childhood Educator 1 Certificate

Certificate | SC Program: CL.3458

The Early Childhood Educator 1 certificate prepares students for entry-level work in early childhood education settings with children ages 0-8, as required by the state of California. Coursework includes theoretical and foundational knowledge of child growth and development, curriculum, working with families, and preparing learning environments.

This sequence of courses, when combined with the Early Childhood Education Teacher Certificate, satisfies the requirements for the UPK/P3 ECE Instruction Specialist Credential.

Choose your path

Map your education by viewing the program map for the degree or certificate you’re interested in earning below. Meet with a counselor to create your official comprehensive education plan.

A program map shows all the required and recommended courses you need to graduate and a suggested order in which you should take them. The suggested sequence of courses is based on enrollment and includes all major and general education courses required for the degree.

Fall Semester, First Year

12 Units Total

ECE 9

M 3

Child Growth and Development

ECE 9

Units 3

This course provides an in-depth examination of the major physical, psychosocial, and cognitive/language developmental milestones for children, both typical and atypical, from conception through adolescence. There will be an emphasis on interactions between maturational processes and environmental factors. While studying developmental theory and investigative research methodologies, students will observe children, evaluate individual differences and analyze characteristics of development at various stages. This course may be offered in a distance education format.

Alternative Courses

ECE 1 Human Development

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ECE 2

M 3

Child, Family, Community

ECE 2

Units 3

This course covers the processes of socialization focusing on the interrelationship of family, school, and community. It also examines the influence of multiple societal contexts, and explores the role of collaboration between family, community, and schools in supporting children's development, birth through adolescence. This course may be offered in a distance education format.

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ECE 17

M 3

Prin & Pracs of Teaching Young Children

ECE 17

Units 3

This course explores the historical contexts and theoretical perspectives of developmentally appropriate practice in early care and education for children from birth through age eight. It also explores the typical roles and expectations of early childhood educators and identifies professional ethics, career pathways, and professional standards. It will introduce best practices for developmentally appropriate learning environments, curriculum, and effective pedagogy for young children, including how play contributes to children's learning, growth, and development. This course may be taught in a distance education format.

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ECE 20

M 3

Introduction to Curriculum

ECE 20

Units 3

This course focuses on developmentally appropriate curriculum and environments for children birth through age eight. Students will use knowledge of children's development, theories of learning and development, and examples from various models of developmentally appropriate practice to plan environments and curriculum in all content areas to support children's development and learning integrated throughout indoor and outdoor settings. This course may be offered in a distance education format.

Alternative Courses

ECE 22 Care & Education for Infants & Toddlers

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Total Units

Please see a counselor to discuss options for meeting general education requirements for transfer to California State Universities (CSU) and/or University of California (UC) campuses, as well as any specific additional courses that may be required by your chosen institution of transfer.

*Alternative Courses: Please see a Shasta College counselor for alternative course options. You can also view the following to find other courses to meet degree/certificate requirements: