Child Development Associate Teacher
Certificate of Achievement Child Development and Education · Orange Coast College · 2026-2027 Catalog
This certificate prepares students to work as an Associate Teacher or Co-Teacher in an early care and learning program. This includes identifying stages of development, preparing developmentally appropriate curriculum, facilitating children’s learning in all domains of development and supporting social skills. Students will gain hands on experience in a preschool classroom where they can develop effective teaching and interaction skills. Courses fulfill Title 22 licensing requirements, Title 5 early childhood education course requirements for the Child Development Permit at the teacher level, and 24 units of ECE required for Transitional Kindergarten teachers. A grade of “C” or better is required in all courses.
Program Outcome
Program Learning Outcomes
- Meets the child development course requirements of the Child Development Permit at the Teacher level and provides enhanced employability, the holder can be employed as a Preschool Teacher or as part of a teaching team. It meets the needs of transitional kindergarten teachers who are required to have 24 units of child development or early childhood education in addition to their bachelor’s degree and multiple subjects teaching credential.
Requirements
Review Certificate Requirements.
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| CDE A131 | Creativity for Children | 3 |
| CDE A155 | Principles and Practices of Teaching Young Children | 3 |
| CDE A156 | Early Childhood Lab: Interactions with Young Children | 2 |
| CDE A157 | Guidance for Young Children | 3 |
| CDE A180 | Child, Growth and Development | 3 |
| CDE A190 | Family, School and Community Partnerships | 3 |
| CDE A199 | Current Issues in Early Childhood and Education | 1-2 |
| CDE A200 | ECE Program - The Curriculum | 3 |
| Restricted Electives - Select one course: | 3 | |
| CDE A130 | Language Arts for Children | |
| CDE A132 | Science and Math for Young Children | |
| Total Units | 24-25 | |
Program Sequence
Program Sequence
These sequences at Orange Coast College are curriculum maps for students to finish all requirements for the certificate. There may be advisories, prerequisites, or time requirements that students need to consider before following these maps. Students are advised to meet with an Orange Coast College Counselor for alternate sequencing.
Year 1
| Semester 1 | Units |
|---|---|
| CDE A180 | Child, Growth and Development |
| CDE A131 | Creativity for Children |
| CDE A155 | Principles and Practices of Teaching Young Children |
| Units |
| Semester 2 |
|---|
| CDE A190 |
| CDE A130or CDE A132 |
| CDE A157 |
Year 2
| Semester 1 |
|---|
| CDE A156 |
| CDE A199 |
| CDE A200 |