ACC's Child Development Department is committed to the idea that quality care makes a positive difference in the lives of children and families. The program responds to the growing demand for qualified child care staff who understand the needs of young children, including children with special needs, and can develop appropriate learning environments for them. Criteria for quality early childhood programs developed by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) have been incorporated into course content.
In addition, the Child Development Department administers the Austin Community College Children's School. This school serves as a working model of the child development principles discussed in classes. The Children's School is accredited by NAEYC's Academy of Early Childhood Programs.
Students completing this program are trained for the roles of: assistant, teacher, or director in an early childhood program; child advocate, or assistants in agencies or institutions whose role is care for children. Practical work experience is gained through laboratory hours spent working with children in a variety of settings, including child care centers, preschools, nursery schools, and early childhood special education programs.
The Child Development Department offers an array of educational opportunities for parents, child care providers, directors and others in the community who are interested in issues involving young children and their families.
Special Requirements:
Because of the nature of the curricula and the criteria for day care center volunteers determined by the Texas Department of Protective and Regulatory Services Minimum Standards for Day Care Centers, there are special entrance requirements for the completion of Child Development courses:
1. Students will be required to complete a statement concerning a history of felony convictions or indictments at the beginning of the semester. Students with a felony indictment or conviction must obtain a 'Proof of Rehabilitation' statement from TDPRS before enrolling in Child Development courses that have laboratory components.
2. Students enrolled in CDEC 1166 and CDEC 2166 (Practicum I and II) must obtain a negative TB test during the first two weeks of the semester. Students who do not meet these two criteria will not be permitted to continue in CDP classes with fieldwork.
3. For further information, contact the Program Coordinator for the Child Development Program. Students must receive at least a C grade in each Child Development course to count toward a certificate or degree.
Credit for CDA or PAC: A prospective student who has a current PAC (Professional Administrator Credential) or CDA (Child Development Associate credential) should contact an Advisor in the Child Development Department about receiving credit.
CDA Credential Training Programs DO NOT require TASP.
Comprehensive CDA Training:
The Child Development Associate (CDA) National Credentialing Program is designed to enhance the quality of child care. Assessment and credentialing of qualifying child care providers is administered by the Council for Early Childhood Professional Recognition in Washington, DC. This 3 semester training program provides potential CDA Candidates with the skills, knowledge and required training hours to apply for their CDA assessment. Students must currently be working with a group of children in the 0-5 age range. Credit for CDEC 1411, CDEC 1166, CDEC 1392 and an unrestricted elective will be awarded for successful completion of the CDA Training sequence for students wishing to continue coursework in the Child Development Program.
Comprehensive CDA Training:
| CDEC | 1417 | Child Development Associate Training I | 4 | ||
| CDEC | 2422 | Child Development Associate Training II | 4 | ||
| + | CDEC | 2424 | Child Development Associate Training III | 4 | |
| ------- 12 | |||||
TOTALS | ------- 12 |
Academic CDA Option:
For early childhood teachers currently working with children who plan to apply for CDA Assessment independent of our comprehensive CDA Training, the following Child Development courses will provide the documentation of required training hours. Students completing this option may apply for the Professional Recognition Award.
Academic CDA Training
| + | CDEC | 1411 | Introduction to Early Childhood Education | 4 | |
| CDEC | 1354 | Child Growth & Development | 3 | ||
| CDEC | 1303 | Family and the Community | 3 | ||
| CDEC | 1419 | Child Guidance | 4 | ||
| + | CDEC | 1413 | Curriculum Resources for Early Childhood Programs | ||
| ------- 14 | |||||
TOTALS | ------- 14 |
Professional Recognition Award for Caregivers
Students who are employed in the care of young children and complete at least 12 college credits in child Development with grades of B or above may apply for this Recognition.
To receive the Professional Recognition Award, it is necessary to apply with the Child Development Department. Please call an Advisor in the Department for more information upon completion of coursework.
This certificate does not require the TASP test.
Semester I
| + | CDEC | 1411 | Introduction to Early Childhood Education | 4 | |
| CDEC | 1359 | Children with Special Needs | 3 | ||
| CDEC | 1303 | Family and the Community | 3 | ||
| CDEC | 1318 | Nutrition, Health, and Safety | 3 | ||
| CDEC | 1354 | Child Growth & Development | 3 | ||
| ------- 16 |
| CDEC | 2321 | The Infant and Toddler | 3 | ||
| CDEC | 1413 | Curriculum Resources for Early Childhood Programs | 4 | ||
| + | CDEC | 1419 | Child Guidance | 4 | |
| + | CDEC | 1166 | Practicum I - Child Development and Early Childhood | 1 | |
| + | CDEC | 2341 | The School Age Child | 3 | |
| CDEC | 1392 | Special Topics in Child Development | 3 | ||
| ------- 18 | |||||
TOTALS | ------- 34 |
Semester I
| + | CDEC | 1411 | Introduction to Early Childhood Education | 4 | |
| CDEC | 1359 | Children with Special Needs | 3 | ||
| CDEC | 1303 | Family and the Community | 3 | ||
| CDEC | 1318 | Nutrition, Health, and Safety | 3 | ||
| CDEC | 1354 | Child Growth & Development | 3 | ||
| ENGL | 1301 | 1,3,4,5 | English Composition I | 3 | |
| ------- 19 |
| CDEC | 2321 | The Infant and Toddler | 3 | ||
| CDEC | 1413 | Curriculum Resources for Early Childhood Programs | 4 | ||
| + | CDEC | 1419 | Child Guidance | 4 | |
| + | CDEC | 1166 | Practicum I - Child Development and Early Childhood | 1 | |
| + | CDEC | 2341 | The School Age Child | 3 | |
| CDEC | 1392 | Special Topics in Child Development | 3 | ||
| ------- 18 |
| + | CDEC | 1456 | Emergent Literacy for Early Childhood | 4 | |
| + | CDEC | 1458 | Creative Arts for Early Childhood | 4 | |
| + | CDEC | 2326 | Administration of Programs for Children | 3 | |
| + | MATH | 1332 | 2,4,6 | Topics in Mathematics OR | |
| + | MATH | 1314 | 2,4,3 | College Algebra | 3 |
| + | PSYC | 2301 | 2 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 |
| ------- 17 |
| CDEC | 1457 | Math & Science for Early Childhood | 4 | ||
| + | CDEC | 2166 | Practicum II - Child Development and Early Childhood | 1 | |
| + | CDEC | 1394 | Special Topics in Early Childhood | 3 | |
| + | COSC | 1301 | Personal Computing | 3 | |
| SPCH | 1318 | 1,2,3,4,5 | Interpersonal Communication | 3 | |
| Unrestricted Elective | 3 | ||||
| ------- 17 | |||||
TOTALS | ------- 71 |
* This program is designed for those students who have successfully completed a high school "Tech Prep" Child Development program that has been articulated with Austin Community College.
Credit-in-Escrow
| CDEC | 1411 | Introduction to Early Childhood Education | 4 | ||
| CDEC | 1318 | Nutrition, Health, and Safety | 3 | ||
| CDEC | 1458 | Creative Arts for Early Childhood | 4 | ||
| + | CDEC | 2321 | The Infant and Toddler OR | 3-4 | |
| COSC | 1301 | Personal Computing | 3 | ||
| ------- 17-18 |
| CDEC | 1359 | Children with Special Needs | 3 | ||
| CDEC | 1303 | Family and the Community | 3 | ||
| CDEC | 1354 | Child Growth & Development | 3 | ||
| ENGL | 1301 | 1,3,4,5 | English Composition I | 3 | |
| MATH | 1332 | 2,4,6 | Topics in Mathematics OR | ||
| + | MATH | 1314 | 2,4,3 | College Algebra OR | |
| + | PSYC | 2301 | 2 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 |
| ------- 15 |
| CDEC | 1413 | Curriculum Resources for Early Childhood Programs | 4 | ||
| + | CDEC | 1457 | Math & Science for Early Childhood | 4 | |
| + | CDEC | 1419 | Child Guidance | 4 | |
| + | CDEC | 1166 | Practicum I - Child Development and Early Childhood | 1 | |
| + | CDEC | 1392 | Special Topics in Child Development | 3 | |
| ------- 16 |
| + | CDEC | 2321 | The Infant and Toddler OR | ||
| CDEC | 1458 | Creative Arts for Early Childhood | 3-4 | ||
| + | CDEC | 2326 | Administration of Programs for Children | 3 | |
| + | CDEC | 1456 | Emergent Literacy for Early Childhood | 4-4 | |
| ------- 10-11 |
| + | CDEC | 2341 | The School Age Child | 3 | |
| CDEC | 2166 | Practicum II - Child Development and Early Childhood | 1 | ||
| + | SPCH | 1318 | 1,2,3,4,5 | Interpersonal Communication | 3 |
| CDEC | 1394 | Special Topics in Early Childhood | 3 | ||
| ------- 10 | |||||
TOTALS | ------- 68-70 |
This program is an advanced certificate designed for Tech Prep students who already have a Tech Prep Associate of Applied Science in Child Development. These courses also meet TDPRS requirements for child care center directors.
Credit-in-Escrow
| + | CDEC | 2328 | Administration of Programs for Children II | 3 | |
| + | CDEC | 2386 | Internship - Early Childhood Programs | 3 | |
| + | TCM | 1603 | Introduction to Technical Writing | 3 | |
| + | ACNT | 1403 | Introduction to Accounting I | 3 | |
| ------- 12 | |||||
TOTALS | ------- 12 |