Early Childhood Education
This program prepares students for initial employment as child care providers or provides continuing workforce education for persons previously or currently employed in child care occupations. Instruction includes, but is not limited to, child growth and development, nutrition, program planning, rules and regulations that govern child care and physical, emotional, and social development activities. To obtain Child Development Associate (CDA) status, a student must have 480 hours of direct work with children five years of age or younger and 120 hours of classroom instruction.
Job Opportunities
Graduates of this program have completed the local equivalent requirements for CDA and may work in child care facilities as a child care teacher aide or as a child care development specialist.
Program Costs
The cost for the 600 clock hours is $2.78per clock hour for a cost of $1,668.00 and a $75.00 lab fee per semester. This does not cover any books, uniform costs, or any additional program costs.
***Program costs are subject to change without notice.
Special Admission Requirements
Student must complete the TABE test (Test of Adult Basic Education). Students who enroll in the evening program must be employed or must volunteer in a day care setting a minimum of 15 hours per week.
Special Considerations
Florida Department of Children and Family Services require all child care employees to be fingerprinted and to complete a background check before they start work in a center (Affidavit of Good Moral Character). Each student will have to have a Florida Department of Law Enforcement criminal background check done before beginning class. (NOTE: If adjudication is withheld on a disqualifying offense, it is disqualifying. Some of the disqualifying offenses are misdemeanors and some are felonies).
Adult Courses and Clock Hours
The postsecondary occupations and the associated courses included in this program are:
| OCP | Course Number | OCP Title | OCP Hours |
| A | HEV0117 | Childcare Worker | 45 Clock Hours |
| B | HEV0101 | Childcare Teacher Aide | 105 Clock Hours |
| C | HEV0156 | Preschool Teacher | 300 Clock Hours |
| D | HEV0162 | Childcare Development Specialist | 150 Clock Hours |
Course Competencies
The student will achieve the following skills by the end of the 600 course clock hours.
- Child Growth and Development
- Maintaining a Safe, Clean and Healthy Environment
- Nutrition
- Program Planning and Implementation of Physical, Intellectual, Social and Emotional Development Activities
- Behavior Guidance Techniques
- Child Abuse and Neglect Laws
- Interpersonal Relations
- Communication
- Employability Skills
- Balancing of Family and Work
- Rules and Regulations which Govern Child Care Facilities