Early Childhood Administration Certificate (C55850)

This curriculum prepares individuals pursuing administrating roles in diverse childcare settings to effectively work with children, families and teachers. The certificate is composed of learning opportunities in developmental theories, competency and evidence-based professional knowledge, administrative skills and leadership qualities.

Course work includes foundations in early childhood education, physical/nutritional needs of young children, safety issues in the care of young children; communication and leadership skills with teachers, families and children; programming and staffing, budgeting/financial management and marketing, and rules and regulations of early childhood programs.

Employment opportunities include entrepreneurship and/or management of child development and childcare programs, preschools, public and private schools, recreational centers, Early Head Start and Head Start programs, and other programs.

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates will:

1. Promoting child development and learning:
   a. Knowing and understanding young children’s characteristics and needs.
   b. Knowing and understanding the multiple influences on development and learning.
   c. Using developmental knowledge to create healthy, respectful, supportive, and challenging learning environments.
2. Building family and community relationships by knowing about and understanding family and community characteristics.
   a. Knowing about and understanding diverse family and community characteristics.
   b. Supporting and engaging families and communities through respectful, reciprocal relationships.
   c. Involving families and communities and their children’s development and learning.
3. Becoming a professional:
   a. Identifying and involving oneself with the early childhood field.
   b. Knowing about and upholding ethical standards and other professional guidelines.
   c. Engaging in continuous, collaborative learning to inform practice.
   d. Integrating knowledgeable, reflective, and critical perspectives on early education.
   e. Engaging in informed advocacy for children and the profession.

Additional Program Requirements for Early Childhood Education

• All students are required to submit documentation of additional non-academic criteria which will include a valid Criminal Background Check (CBC) qualification letter obtained through Division of Child Development & Early Education (DCDEE). Instructions will be provided in EDU 119. Students who do not submit a valid CBC Qualification letter will not successfully complete Early Childhood Education.
• A grade of “C” or better is required for all courses applied towards degree requirements.