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This certificate program is designed to prepare individuals for employment as teachers and assistant teachers, and it improves the skills of those already working with young children (birth though age 8) in public and private early childhood settings. The curriculum is aligned with the standards issued by the National Association for the Education of Young Children, the Council for Professional Recognition, and the NJ Early Childhood Core Knowledge and Competencies. The program offers two separate focuses: Infants and Toddlers and Preschool-age children. The program embeds training for the national Child Development Associate (CDA) credential and the NJ Infant Toddler credentials. It meets requirements for group teacher approval according to the NJ Child Care Licensing Code, and it enables students to advance toward the AAS-ECE degree.
Graduates will be able to:
A. Depending upon a student's placement or for transfer purposes, this program may have pre-requisite(s). See a pathway coordinator or student development specialist for advisement.
B. This program requires the completion of a Criminal History Record Check (CHRC) to ensure that it is appropriate for the student to be in contact with children and participate in field experiences.
C. The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) requires criminal history record checks, including fingerprints, for all childcare personnel, volunteers, and other individuals who will have regular contact with children in a licensed childcare program, in accordance with N.J.S.A.18A: 6-7.1. See https://nj.gov/education/educators/crimhist/
This course focuses on the stages of the writing process and includes a formal research paper. A variety of writing and reading assignments are designed to develop analytical and critical-thinking skills.
- General Education Course
College Level or with applicable co-requisite
Fall, Spring, Summer
This course explores the general principles and theories of psychology, history and methodology, sensation, perception, learning, memory, motivation, emotion, intelligence, personality, and the physiological basis of behavior.
Fall, Spring, Summer, Winter
Students explore the connection between children’s intellectual growth and creative development via art, music, and movement. Using artistic materials, students take an in depth look at the methods and techniques used in developing creativity in the young child.
EN 101 - Composition I
Spring 15 wk semester, Fall 15 wk semester
This course includes a study of the laws, regulations, standards, policies, and procedures of safety, health, and nutrition as they relate to the early childhood setting, home, and community for children ages birth through eight. Topics include hygiene, safe learning environments, childhood diseases, immunizations, universal precautions, first-aid and CPR, nutritional guidelines and meal-planning, state and local regulations concerning abuse and neglect, emergencies, disease/poison prevention, and referral procedures to utilize school and community resources to meet the needs of the young child. The course also addresses methods, materials, and developmentally appropriate activities for children and parent education as it relates to these areas.
EN 101 - Composition I
Spring 15 wk semester, Fall 15 wk semester
This course includes a study of the requirements for the Child Development Associate National Credential (CDA). Students will acquire a working knowledge of child growth and development principles. Skills and strategies for managing an effective program and planning a safe, healthful learning environment are emphasized. Students will practice via class discussion, role play and other process oriented techniques the knowledge attitudes and skills for supporting and advancing child growth in physical, intellectual, social, and emotional development.
Fall, Spring
This course expands on the student’s knowledge of child growth and development principles acquired during ECE 110, and focuses on the practical skills needed to become a Child Development Associate. They will complete the professional portfolio which is part of the CDA application process.
ECE 110 - Child Development Associate (CDA) I
Spring 15 wk semester, Fall 15 wk semester
This course includes six (6) hours a week of field experience in early childhood settings to allow students to apply knowledge and skills under the supervision of an early care and education professional. Emphasis is placed on designing, implementing and evaluating developmentally appropriate activities and environments for all children and demonstrating reflective and professional practices. Includes weekly seminar meetings. 90 fieldwork hours.
ECE 107 - Nurturing Mental Health in Early Childhood
OR
ECE 210 - Child Development Associate (CDA) Field Experience
Spring 15 wk semester, Fall 15 wk semester
This course requires nine (9) hours a week of field experience via employment or volunteer service early childhood settings serving children from birth through five years of age. Students develop and demonstrate professional competencies and practical skills, as outlined by the Child Development Associate (CDA) National Credentialing Program. This course provides firsthand experience in integrating knowledge, skills, and techniques with teaching practice needed for the CDA Credential.135 fieldwork hours.
ECE 111 - Child Development Associate (CDA) II
Spring 15 wk semester, Fall 15 wk semester
This course explores child development from prenatal life through adolescence with an emphasis on biological, motor, cognitive, emotional, moral, and social development.
- General Education Course
PS 101 - Introduction to Psychology
Fall, Spring
If students are interested in Infant Toddler, ECE 107 and ECE 108 are required
This course explores essential elements involved in setting the foundation for the mental health and development of infants and toddlers. It examines the importance of identifying and
meeting their social/emotional needs and how these needs relate to the caregiver’s interactive process. The course integrates the implementation of developmental brain research with the interactive process of caregiving with a special focus on developmentally appropriate practices and techniques in the childcare setting.
Fall, Spring
This course covers the development of quality daycare for infants and toddlers, the development levels of infancy, and how to design experiences that stimulate their cognitive, social, and creative ability and meet their physical and emotional needs.
EN 101 - Composition I
PS 101 - Introduction to Psychology
Fall 15 week, Spring 15 wk semester
If students are interested in Preschool, students are required to take ECE 106 and ECE 220
Students learn to apply simple math concepts and the scientific method to develop children’s natural curiosity of the world around them.
EN 101 - Composition I
MA 025A - Algebra A
Spring 15 wk semester, Fall 15 wk semester
This course examines language and early literacy development in children from preschool through third grade. It covers theories, materials, and approaches of early literacy learning with a strong focus on diverse learners, inclusive practices, appropriate assessments, and family literacy partnerships. In addition, the course includes the study of strategies to build competency in research-based components of early reading and writing such as oral language, print awareness, alphabetic principle, phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary, and comprehension. Students learn how to plan and use developmentally appropriate experiences and environments to address learning standards.
ECE 200 - Early Childhood Education in Contemporary America
OR
ECE 210 - Child Development Associate (CDA) Field Experience
Spring 15 wk semester, Fall 15 wk semester
