Program Summary

EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION - Associate in Arts

2022 - 2023, 2023 - 2024, 2024 - 2025

The Early Childhood Education Associate of Arts Degree provides a solid foundation for students entering the education field and prepares students to work with children from infancy into middle childhood in a variety of environments.

The core eight courses (201, 202, 203, 204, 205, 206, 215 and 216) match the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing Teacher Permit Early Childhood Education course requirements. Students who complete coursework at this level (the core eight, of the nine required courses) will receive a Child Development Teacher Certificate of Achievement from Cuesta College. Students need an additional 16 units of General Education to meet the Child Development Teacher Permit Education Requirement. 

The Early Childhood Education Associate Degree courses (201, 202, 203, 204, 205, 206, 215, 216 and 245) with the additional six specialization units match the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing Master Teacher Permit Early Childhood Education course requirements. Students who complete coursework at this level will receive a Child Development Master Teacher Certificate of Achievement from Cuesta College. Students need an additional 16 units of General Education to meet the Child Development Master Teacher Permit Education Requirement.

The Early Childhood Associate Degree and an additional six administration units (ECE 246 and 248) included in the Site Supervisor Certificate of Achievement match the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing Site Supervisor Permit Early Childhood Education course requirements.



Career Opportunities
Preschool Teacher Infant/Toddler Teacher Lead/Mentor Teacher Early Care and Learning Site Supervisor Family Advocate
Required Courses (29 units)
Units: 29.0
CDFS 201
CHILD GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT
3.0
CDFS 202
CHILD, FAMILY, AND COMMUNITY
3.0
CDFS 203
CURRICULUM FOR YOUNG CHILDREN
3.0
CDFS 204
HEALTH, SAFETY, AND NUTRITION
3.0
CDFS 205
INTRODUCTION TO EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION: PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICES
3.0
CDFS 206
OBSERVATION, RECORDING TECHNIQUES AND ASSESSMENT
3.0
CDFS 215
CHILDREN IN A DIVERSE SOCIETY
3.0
CDFS 216
PRACTICUM: CURRICULUM/ENVIRONMENT SUPERVISED FIELD EXPERIENCE
5.0
CDFS 245
ADULT SUPERVISION AND MENTORING
3.0
Choose 6 units from the following:
Units: 6.0
CDFS 211
MUSIC AND MOVEMENT ACTIVITIES FOR YOUNG CHILDREN
1.0
CDFS 212
CHILDHOOD AND PLAY
1.0
CDFS 217
THE STUDY OF PARENTING: THEORY AND PRACTICE
3.0
CDFS 220
ART FOR CHILDREN
1.0
CDFS 221
STEM IN EARLY CHILDHOOD
1.0
CDFS 223
LOOSE PARTS IN EARLY LEARNING: THEORY AND PRACTICE
1.0
CDFS 234
CHILDREN'S BOOKS AND NARRATIVES
3.0
CDFS 235
UNDERSTANDING BEHAVIORS THAT CHALLENGE
1.0
CDFS 236
INTRODUCTION TO CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS
3.0
CDFS 237
CURRICULUM AND STRATEGIES FOR CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS
3.0
CDFS 240
INFANT AND TODDLER DEVELOPMENT
3.0
CDFS 242
CARE AND EDUCATION FOR INFANTS AND TODDLERS
3.0
Total: 35.0
Program Outcomes
Demonstrate understanding of human development theory and the multiple interacting influences on a child’s development.
Assignments, exams, student self-assessment surveys
Demonstrate effective guidance and interaction strategies that support children’s social learning and promote positive and reciprocal relationships among culturally and linguistically diverse teachers, children, and their families.
Assignments, exams, student self-assessment surveys
Analyze and apply strategies that promote partnerships between teachers and families, identifying program and community resources that promote children’s health, development, and learning.
Assignments, exams, student self-study surveys
Identify and conduct themselves as a member of the Early Childhood field, employing work skills, ethics, and dispositions that support professionalism and continued professional development.
Assignments, exams, student self-study surveys
Develop and design curricula and environments that are healthy, respectful, supportive, and challenging for the children.
Assignments, exams, student self-study surveys