Children are our future. As an early childhood educator, you can help build a better future for our them and all of us!
Working with very young children is a complex job that requires competency and skill. Child Care Assistants help create a healthy, supportive, and safe learning environment where children can flourish. Research has shown that quality education and training of childcare providers is directly related to the increased social, cognitive, and emotional growth of children.
The Child Care Assistant Certificate is a 16-credit program with a focus on physical, social, emotional, language, cognitive, and creative child development. Emphasis is placed on understanding the needs of the whole child and applying developmentally appropriate problem-prevention and positive guidance strategies. The certificate award provides the fundamental knowledge and opportunity to begin the application of learning in the field. This option fulfills the educational requirements for the National Child Development Associate (CDA) credential.
This 100% online program offers a supportive distance learning environment for new and experienced early childhood educators. And because coursework can be completed online with local field experiences, the program is an ideal option for practitioners who are beginning their careers or already caring for children.
The courses requires field experience in a licensed early childhood setting, working with children between the ages of 0-8. Students are directly evaluated during their field experiences throughout the program.
Upon graduation, you will be well prepared to enter the field of early childhood education and advance in your profession.
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Download the Program Plan
Courses
1) 1000 level (minimum) General Education courses required unless specified
ECED1101
Early Childhood Field Experience
This course requires student experience in a licensed early childhood setting working with children between the ages of 0-8 (documented, licensed experience will be reviewed for advance placement). Students will be required to apply knowledge of child development and developmentally appropriate practice, understanding of the characteristics of children and families, and demonstrate respect for colleagues, children, and families. Students will observe, plan small group activities, and build relationships with children and classroom adults. Students are required to pass a Minnesota DHS background study and complete field experience hours during ECED coursework. (Corequisite: ECED1102) (6 credits: 0 lecture/0 lab/300 OJT hours)
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6 cr
ECED1102
Orientation to Childcare Licensing
This course will review the Minnesota requirements for orientation to childcare for Minnesota Child Care Rule 2 (Family Childcare) and Rule 3 (Center Childcare). Learners will be guided in completing and/or creating a plan for completion to meet the orientation requirements prior to beginning the Early Childhood Education course sequence. Students are required to pass a Minnesota DHS background study and complete field experience hours during ECED coursework. (Corequisite: ECED1101) (1 credits: 1 lecture/0 lab)
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1 cr
ECED1132
Behavior & Emotional-Social Development of the Young Child
This course helps students explore physical and social environments that promote learning and development for young children. It includes an introduction to basic child guidance techniques for individual and group situations. Emphasis is on problem-prevention and positive guidance strategies including recognition, communication, limit-setting, problem-solving, behavior modification, and visuals. Students are required to pass a Minnesota DHS background study and complete field experience hours during ECED coursework. (Corequisite: ECED1101, ECED1102) (3 credits: 3 lecture/0 lab)
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3 cr
ECED1136
Interpersonal Relationships & Diversity in Early Childhood
This course focuses on the role of early childhood staff in developing positive relationships with parents that enhance children's healthy growth and development. Working with children and families of varied racial, ethnic, economic, and cultural backgrounds within diverse communities is emphasized. Students compare child rearing practices and family structure of different cultures, explore parenting styles, family stress, building relationships between family, community, and schools, and identify methods of parent education. Students are required to pass a Minnesota DHS background study and complete field experience hours during ECED coursework. (Corequisite: ECED1101, ECED1102) (3 credits: 3 lecture/0 lab)
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3 cr
ECED1150
Child Growth and Development
This course provides an overview of child development from prenatal through age eight, including physical, social, emotional, language, cognitive, and creative development. Emphasis is placed on understanding the needs of the whole child and applying developmentally appropriate practices while reviewing a range of early childhood models and settings. The course will examine variations across cultures and interactions between genetic and environmental factors. Students are required to pass a Minnesota DHS background study and complete field experience hours during ECED coursework. (Corequisite: ECED1101, ECED1102) (3 credits: 3 lecture/0 lab)
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3 cr
Total Credits Required for this Major: 16 Credits
Estimated Costs for this Major
| Approximate Tuition/Fees: | $3,513 |
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| Minimum Tool Cost: | N/A |
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| Books/Supplies: | $600 |
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| Estimated Total: | $4,113 |
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Career Opportunities
- Nanny
- Family Child Care Provider
- Paraprofessional
- Child Advocate
Career Information
Outcomes
Early Childhood Education Program graduates will be able to:
- Utilize their understanding of developmentally appropriate practice respective to the characteristics and needs of young children.
- Understand and value the importance and complex characteristics of families and communities.
- Develop partnerships with families, community, and educational professionals as well as additional service providers
- Design and implement outcome-based learning experiences through application of the knowledge in relation to goals, benefits, and uses of assessment.
- Use systematic, critical, and creative processes to apply ethical and professional decision-making.
- Demonstrate proficiency in gathering, analyzing, and synthesizing information for the professional portfolio.
Highlights
- Online program offers supportive distance learning environment for new and experienced early childhood educators
- Combination of child development, professional development, and career application courses
- Huge national demand for highly trained early childhood educators
Instructors
- Rachel Daley has earned her M.A. in Education from Concordia University. After obtaining an A.S. degree at MSC Southeast, Rachel proceeded to SMSU to obtain a bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education. In addition to teaching at MSC Southeast since 2010, her career experiences include family childcare, nanny, director of religious education, childcare trainer, preschool teacher, foster parent, and
substitute.