Child Care Certificate and Diploma Program Information
Individuals who enjoy working with children and want to provide a safe teaching and learning environment can earn a certificate or diploma to prepare them for work and professional certification. Child care programs teach students basic health and safety practices and develop their skills for nurturing and instructing children.
Child Care Certificate or Diploma
A certificate or diploma program in child care can prepare students to care for children of all ages. Students learn the skills necessary to provide safe and competent care to children in a nurturing atmosphere. They can study how children develop physically, mentally and socially and encourage growth in a child care environment. Upon completing a program, students can establish their own child care business or work as part of a child care team. Programs typically take one year to complete.
Educational Prerequisites
Prerequisites for entry into a program typically include a high school diploma or equivalent. Some programs require students to provide proof of vaccinations and obtain a physical exam. Students might also have to submit to a criminal background check.
Course Topics
The curricula of child care programs are designed to help students develop knowledge of child development, psychology and growth. Students also learn the techniques and methods of caring for children. Some programs include internships or field observations that allow students to put what they have learned to use in practical situations. Some of the courses in a program include:
- Child psychology
- Parenting perspectives
- Special education children
- Child care strategies
- Activity planning for children
- Child nutrition
Popular Career Options
A variety of professionals can be classified as child care workers, from those that work privately in homes to those that work in educational environments. Child care workers can find work in such settings as:
- Preschools
- Day cares
- Elementary schools
- In-home care organizations
Continuing Education Information
Certificate or diploma program credits could be transferable to an associate degree program in early education or child development. Some states require child care workers to hold a college degree. Caregivers might need to register with the state, especially in situations where state subsidies or payments are issued. Permit or licensure requirements vary, and some might require child care providers to attend a state-approved training program. Child care workers who offer in-home services might need to have the home inspected to ensure it complies with state safety standards.
Certification could be recommended or required by some employers. The Council for Professional Recognition offers the Child Development Associate (CDA) designation, and the National Child Care Association awards the Child Care Professional (CCP) and National Administrator Credential (NAC) to those who demonstrate sufficient experience or participate in a training program offered by the organization.
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20 Popular Schools
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Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be 21 years of age or older and have completed some college or 24 years of age or older and a high school graduate for a Bachelor's degree
- Masters degree applicants must have a Bachelors degree
- Doctorate degree applicants must have a Masters degree
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Master
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- MS in Human Services - Criminal Justice
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- MS in Human Services - Human Services Administration
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- MS in Human Services - Family Studies and Interventions
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Bachelor
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- BS in Child Development - General
- BS in Human Services - Child and Adolescent Development
- BS in Child Development - Administration and Management
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Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be a high school graduate or have completed GED
School locations:
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Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must have either two or more years of college or active military status if you are under 24 years of age
School locations:
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Online Programs
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Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be a high school graduate or have completed GED
School locations:
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Master
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Associate
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Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Applicants must have a bachelor's degree or higher
School locations:
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Master
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- Master of Social Work
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Minimum eligibility requirements:
- All programs require applicants to have graduated high school in 2008 or earlier
- Must be 22 years of age or older
School locations:
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Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Applicants must have completed 12 college credits
School locations:
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- California (10 campuses)
Online and Classroom-Based Programs
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Bachelor
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- BA in Social Work
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Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be a high school graduate or have completed GED
School locations:
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Master
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- Master - Human Services
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- Master - Human Services - Clinical Counseling
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Bachelor
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- BS in Child Studies
- BS in Human Services
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- BS in Human Services - Human Services Management
- BS in Human Services - Counseling
- BS in Human Services - Health Education and Community Services
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Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be a high school graduate or have completed GED
School locations:
- Online Learning
Online Programs
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Minimum eligibility requirements:
- Must be a high school graduate or have completed GED
School locations:
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- Alabama (1 campus)
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