Infant/Toddle Care

The Merced College Child Development Department offers students classes and training to meet California requirements for credentials and licenses, as well as an Associate of Arts in Child Development (AA) degree and an Associate in Science in Early Childhood Education for Transfer (AS-T in ECE) degree. Preparation includes transfer level courses with several that meet general education requirements and Certificates of Achievement. Throughout all courses, students are trained culturally sensitive and family-focused perspectives that emphasize the value of individual differences in your children. The Child Development Department works closely with many community programs to meet the specific needs of the early care and education workforce.

Students are strongly encouraged to transfer to a 4-year college or university. In several courses, students are given information about pursuing their bachelor, masters, and doctorate degrees. In particular classes, information, materials, and workshops on the California Teaching Credential Child Development Permit Matrix are shared. The permit matrix covers entry level positions through a master’s degree option. To increase the likelihood that students will transfer, students are required to develop an education plan with a counselor. Increasing numbers of our students are transferring to pursue degrees in child development, liberal studies, and other related fields.

For successful completion, a student must complete the required 32 units outlined in the Certificate of Achievement with a GPA of 2.0 or better.

A student must have earned a grade of C or better in each course to qualify for a Child Development permit through the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing.

Program Student Learning Outcomes

A. Distinguish and apply infant/toddler caregiving principles and infant/ toddler education practices.

B. Design environments and curriculum for infant/toddler caregiving settings (including inclusive care) that support learning and building strong, positive and respectful relationships with children and families.

C. Distinguish the professional practices of adults and staff in infant/ toddler caregiving settings.

Program Requirements:

Program Core: (32 Units)