Career Description: The certificate meets current standards for step 7 on the Achieve, MN Center for Professional Development, career lattice. Positions include: nanny, camp counselor, guardian ad litem, assistant teacher, child care center director, youth worker, recreation leader/director child care lead teacher, teacher’s aide, family child care provider. Graduates of this program are prepared to work in a supportive role at childcare centers, Head Start programs, school districts, preschools, family childcare and after school programs.

Program Information: The Early Childhood Education Certificate prepares individuals to assist in providing a healthy, safe, developmentally appropriate learning environment in support of families and children. The CLC Early Childhood Education Certificate prepares students to work in a supportive role at childcare centers, Head Start programs, school districts, preschools, family childcare and after school programs and lays the foundation for all additional early childhood career pathways. Enjoy the hands-on experiences, access to latest research, and/or convenience of online learning.

Program Outcomes:
Graduates will be able to:

• Integrate child development theory with appropriate practice in early care and education settings;
• Incorporate and demonstrate diverse teaching and guidance strategies appropriate to addressing the needs of children, families, and communities;
• Recognize the importance of play to healthy child development and incorporate play based learning into early childhood environments;
• Apply professional behavior in daily work with children, families, co-workers and the community;
• Assist in creating and consistently maintain an appropriate, safe, healthy learning environment for children; and
• Recognize ethical, legal and professional responsibilities.

Special Program Requirements:

In addition to the program requirements, students must meet the following conditions in order to graduate:

1. College Cumulative GPA Requirement: cumulative grade point average (GPA) of credits attempted and completed at CLC must be at least 2.0;
2. College Technical Core GPA Requirement: cumulative GPA of credits attempted and completed towards the technical core of the diploma or degree must be at least 2.0;
3. Residency Requirement: students must complete 25% of their credits at Central Lakes College.

Admissions:

The Early Childhood Education program requires students to pass a Minnesota background check to participate in all of the field experiences. In addition, CLC is a member of E-LECT (e-learning for early childhood teachers), which offers an associate in applied science (A.A.S.) degree online. Talk with an advisor for more details.