Current Program

The Child Development program offers students several program options, each leading to an occupational certificate, a transfer option and/or an Associate in Arts degree. The program, which reflects the goals of the college's Mission Statement, meets the needs of students wishing to prepare for employment or who are currently employed in the field of Early Childhood Education who wish to meet professional growth requirements for continuing education or for a permit upgrade. The curriculum prepares students to teach in programs for young children, including private, parent-cooperative, Head Start, children's center and infant or school age programs. With additional general education units and required experience, students are eligible for the State's Child Development Permit, which enables students to teach in federal and state preschool programs. Several factors have affected the program in recent years, including a statewide shortage of qualified Child Development instructors; changed in employer needs and in State teacher licensing requirements; changes in population (including more mothers with young children in the workforce and changes in welfare requirements) and changes in student interests and student basic skill levels; and the increasing use of technology across the curriculum.

Degrees and Certificates - Students may earn an Associate in Arts degree, a Preschool Teacher Occupation Certificate, a Teacher Certificate, a Preschool Certificate, a Preschool Skill Award, a Director Skill Award, an Infant Care Teacher Skill Award or a School Age Programs Teacher/Day Care Skill Award.

Personnel - At this time two full-time and twelve part-time faculty teach classes in Child Development.

Teaching Methodologies - Lecture/lab and lecture/demonstration are the two most often used forms of teaching methods in Child Development classrooms. Lecture only, large lecture/study groups and labs are other methods also in use.

Technology - One online course is taught at this time, with more planned (including hybrid classes).

Equipment - There is a lack of phones for full-time and part-time faculty, the chalk boards are outdated, and office filing cabinets and desks are in need of replacement. All adjunct faculty need access to e-mail and the Internet.

Facilities - Child Development classrooms are taught in three buildings: F, H and C. Room H-337 was remodeled to serve as a Child Development Lab, but is used by other departments as well.

Future Program

The Child Development program will grow and change as technology, teaching methods, facilities and student recruitment strategies grow and change. Requirements for the Child Development Permit may need to be updated if the State requirements are changed. It is expected that the enrollment in Child Development will increase at a faster rate than the overall college enrollment in both the mid term (five years) and the long term (ten years) as the demand for Early Childhood Education specialists grows. See Program Projections.

Degrees and Certificates - No changes in degrees, certificates or skill awards are planned; changes in curriculum may be needed if the State requirements for the Child Development Permit are changed.

Personnel - See Projected Faculty and Staff Needs.

Teaching Methodologies - Internet-based methods of instruction are expected to be offered as part of the program in the future.

Technology - The program would benefit from offering additional Internet-based learning opportunities, such as online courses and "hands on" interactive video, and many of the classes lend themselves to alternative instruction methods. Job Placement Center listings and job workshops specifically for Child Development majors also will be needed as enrollment in the program grows.

Equipment - Equipment needs include a computer lap top and projector with Internet access, flip charts, a laminator, a video camera and bulletin boards for student work. Computers and printers are needed for full-time and part-time faculty. Overhead projectors and VCRs are needed for all classrooms, along with new tables and chairs for students. Additional phones are needed for full-time and part-time faculty, chalk boards need to be replaced with dry erase boards, and new filing cabinets and desks are needed for offices.

Facilities - The department needs a designated Child Development Lab open for students and instructors to use outside class hours. All classrooms, offices and the lab should be located near each other to improve instructional delivery, communication and the sharing of materials and equipment. Adequate storage space is needed in all classrooms as well.

Staff Development - Staff Development in-service and/or orientation training would be useful for part-time and full-time Child Development staff on such topics as college policies, discipline standards, grading, student expectations, etc.