Early Childhood Education & Education

The Early Childhood Education Associate in Arts degree educates and trains students in developmentally appropriate practice guided by principles established by the National Association for the Education of Young Children to work with children from infancy through middle childhood. Through a broad range of theoretical perspectives, students examine child growth and development, gain experience in observation and use of appropriate guidance techniques, learn to plan and implement curriculum, and demonstrate knowledge of state licensing regulations for child care and development programs. The Early Childhood Education degree program prepares students to teach in child care and development programs, to transfer to four-year institutions, and to participate in the broader society as child advocates. Program curriculum is aligned with the Child Development Permit Matrix and with the Curriculum Alignment Project. Students planning to transfer to a California State University to complete a Bachelors Degree in ECE should complete the Early Childhood Education AS-T at Delta College.

The Associate in Science for Transfer degree in Early Childhood Education prepares students to work with children from infancy through middle childhood, to teach in child care and development programs, to participate in the broader society as child advocates, and to transfer into the California State University. The Early Childhood Education program educates and trains students in developmentally appropriate practice guided by principles established by the National Association for the Education of Young Children. Through a broad range of theoretical perspectives, students examine child growth and development, gain experience in observation and use of appropriate guidance techniques, learn to plan and implement curriculum, and demonstrate knowledge of state licensing regulations for child care and development programs. Program curriculum is aligned with the Child Development Permit Program Matrix and with the Curriculum Alignment Project.

Upon successful completion of the Early Childhood Education Associate Teacher certificate, the student demonstrates knowledge and skills to be a teacher in a private child care program and an associate teacher in a publicly funded child care program in accordance with the Child Development Permit Matrix regulated by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing. Skills demonstrated and practiced by a student include developmentally appropriate lesson planning for preschool children, planning nutritional menus, demonstrated use of appropriate guidance techniques, and exhibited understanding of optimal room and yard arrangement with a focus on health and safety.

Upon successful completion of the Early Childhood Education Master Teacher certificate, the student demonstrates knowledge, training, and skills to be a master teacher in a privately or publicly funded child care center in accordance with the Child Development Permit Matrix issued by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing. Skills demonstrated and practiced by the student include the ability to provide instruction to young children utilizing knowledge of a specialized area of early childhood education, supervise adults in the classroom, and coordinate curriculum and staff development.

Upon successful completion of the Early Childhood Education Site Supervisor certificate, the student demonstrates knowledge, training and skills to supervise single site child development programs, provide instruction to children, and serve as the coordinator of curriculum and staff development in both public and private child care centers in accordance with the Child Development Permit Matrix issued by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing. Skills demonstrated and practiced by the student include development of program policies, personnel handbooks and budgets, techniques in adult supervision, and demonstrated understanding of licensing regulations overseeing both public and private child care programs.

Upon successful completion of the Early Childhood Education Teacher certificate, the student demonstrates the knowledge, training, and skills of a teacher in a private child care center or a publicly funded child care center in accordance with the Child Development Permit Matrix issued by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing. Skills demonstrated and practiced by a student include developmentally appropriate lesson planning and implementation for preschool children in subject areas including science, mathematics, creative and language arts; utilization of positive guidance techniques and child assessments; planning safe and developmentally appropriate environments for children; and applying child development theory to all facets of practice with young children.

Upon successful completion of the Early Childhood Education Administration and Adult Supervision Add On certificate, the student demonstrates knowledge, training and skills to supervise single site child development programs, provide instruction to children, and serve as the coordinator of curriculum and staff development in both public and private child care centers in accordance with the Child Development Permit Matrix issued by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing. Skills demonstrated and practiced by the student include development of program policies, personnel handbooks and budgets, techniques in adult supervision, and demonstrated understanding of licensing regulations overseeing both public and private child care programs. This certificate is for those individuals already working in the ECE field and wish to just add the needed units in administration and adult supervision for Site Supervisor permit placement.

The Associate in Arts for Transfer degree in Elementary Teacher Education is designed to provide students a seamless pathway for transfer to a California State University with a major in Liberal Studies. The student will meet introductory content area subject matter requirements for teaching at the elementary school level. Through a broad liberal studies curriculum, students are introduced to elementary school teaching, examine child growth and development, and select courses in the arts and humanities, social and behavioral sciences, natural sciences, literature and communication.

Upon successful completion of the Paraprofessional Preparation certificate, the student demonstrates the knowledge, training, and skills of a paraprofessional in a private or public K-8 school in accordance with the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. Skills demonstrated and practiced by a student include developmentally appropriate lesson planning and implementation for K-8 grade within all academic areas; utilization of positive guidance techniques; planning effective tutoring sessions within math and reading; utilization of effective techniques to reach students with English as a second language; and applying child development theory to all facets of practice with K-8 grade students.