This certificate prepares students to work as an Assistant teacher or Teacher Aide in an early care and education program. This includes understanding theories and stages of development, family and school connections, developing creative curriculum, and providing positive guidance strategies. Courses emphasize strong theoretical and practical skills needed to work with children 2-5 years and students will gain hands on experience in a preschool classroom. Courses fulfill Title 22 licensing requirements and Title 5 early childhood education course requirements for the Child Development Permit at the teacher level. A grade of “C” or better is required in all courses.

Program Outcome

This certificate builds upon core knowledge and provides augmented skills and knowledge beyond the minimum requirements for employment. The holder can be employed as an Assistant Teacher, Teacher, or Teacher Aide in early care and education programs.

Certificate of Achievement Requirements

The Certificate of Achievement is a state-approved career program that requires a minimum of eight units and is designed to prepare the graduate to enter a particular field of employment.  In order to be awarded a certificate, students are required to obtain a grade of “C” or better in all program-required courses. Grades of “CR” or “P” will be accepted whereas “CR” or “P” meets the equivalency of a “C” or better.  At least 3 units in an advanced course from the certificate must be completed at OCC at the department’s discretion.  Certificates of Achievement are not automatically awarded.  A petition must be filed in Enrollment Services or online at the beginning of the semester in which the student will be completing their final requirements.  The petitioning periods are listed in the Graduation Requirements section of this catalog.  Check with a counselor to determine the requirements for completion.

A list of certificate programs can be found in the Programs A-Z section of this catalog.  

Course List Units

Course	Title	Units
Required Courses
CDE A155	Principles and Practices of Teaching Young Children	3
CDE A180	Child, Growth and Development	3
CDE A190	Family, School and Community Partnerships	3
Restricted Electives
Select one course:		2-3
CDE A156	Early Childhood Lab: Interactions with Young Children
CDE A157	Guidance for Young Children
Select one course:		3
CDE A126	Teaching in a Diverse Society
CDE A130	Language Arts for Children
CDE A131	Creativity for Children
CDE A132	Science and Math for Young Children
Total Units		14-15