Los Angeles Mission College s1

Los Angeles Mission College Child Development Program

The Mission College Child Development Program is designed to meet the needs of those students wishing to prepare for employment or who are presently employed in the rapidly expanding field of Early Childhood Education. Mission College offers the Child Development student several program options depending upon their educational background and career goals. Completion of each program leads to a Skill Certificate, an Occupational Certificate, or an Associate in Arts Degree. In addition, all child development classes are applicable to the California Child Development Permit.

The Child Development Program educates and prepares students to work with young children and their families in a variety of roles and settings. These include private and public preschools, Head Start programs, early care and education programs, LAUSD early education centers, family child care homes, elementary schools, parent education programs, infant care programs, school age programs, and Resource and Referral Agencies.

Mission College Child Development Certificates and Degrees: Students may earn one or more of the following: Skill Certificate – 12 units (three options, see attached applications)  Child Development Skill Certificate  Family Child Care Skill Certificate  Child Development Administration Skill Certificate

Child Development Transfer Certificate – 25 units

Child Development Certificates with Areas of Specialization – 36 units:

Infant/Toddler Special Needs Preschool Family Child Care Preschool: Bilingual/Bicultural School Age

Associate in Arts Degree – 60 units (two programs – see current Mission College Catalog for descriptions)  Plan A  Plan B  Transfer Plan

California Child Development Permit: The California Child Development Permit is required for all students interested in employment in a Title 5 publicly funded program. (e.g. Head Start, LAUSD Early Education Center, State Preschool) Permits are issued from the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CCTC) in Sacramento. Students may obtain additional information on the CCTC website www.ctc.ca.gov Information, applications, and fee reimbursement forms can also be obtained from the Child Development Training Consortium at the website www.childdevelopment.org or by contacting one of the full time faculty at Mission College.

Resources for Students:

The following resources are available for Mission College Child Development students.

1. Child Development Student Resource Center (CDSRC): The CDSRC is a comprehensive tutoring and resource center designed specifically for Child Development students. Located in CCDS Room #200, this center is open daily to provide tutoring (including bilingual English/Spanish), computer use, lending library materials, resources, guidance and materials for students enrolled in our Child Development courses. Appointments for tutoring can be made at: 818-364-7600 ext. 3404 and 7129 or email: [email protected]

2. Child Development Training Consortium (CDTC): The CDTC is funded through the California Department of Education to provide financial and services support for child development students. They provide many supports such as providing, processing and paying for the California Child Development Permit applications. They also reimburse students who are currently employed in the field of child development for the fees and costs associated with taking classes to earn a permit. Forms for this financial reimbursement are distributed in your classes in the first few weeks of every semester. For more information, you may go to the CDTC website www.childdevelopment.org or at Mission College, contact Janice Silver, CDTC Coordinator at 818-364-7714 or [email protected]

3. California Early Childhood Mentor Program (CECMP) The CECMP is funded through the California Department of Education to provide mentoring and support for students taking Practicum courses in Child Development as well as new teachers in the field. Their classrooms can also be used as observation sites for Child Development assignments. Mentor Teachers are carefully selected by demonstrating exemplary teaching styles as well as by maintaining classrooms that meet high standards of quality. Mentor Directors are also selected to provide support for new Directors in the field. For more information, you may go to the CECMP website www.ecementor.org or at Mission College, contact one of the two CECMP coordinators: Janice Silver at 818-364- 7714 [email protected].

4. Urban Teacher Fellowship: This cohort program offers comprehensive services for future elementary school teachers. For more information, call Nancy Flores at 818-364-3403.

5. Child Development Career Fair: We are pleased to offer an evening event each Fall semester to bring together various educational programs, professional organizations and employment agencies connected to the field of Child Development. Students are encouraged to attend to receive the most current information about schools, programs, professional development and networking opportunities. For more information, call Lilamani DeSilva, Career Night Coordinator at 818-364-7673 or email [email protected]

6. Mission College Child Development Center: Our own Child Development Center offers child care for Infants, Toddlers, Preschoolers and School Age children. Schedules and fees are based on student needs. For more information, contact Monica Moreno, Director, at 818-364-7863.

7. Mission College Family Child Care Homes Network: This network offers childcare for children from birth through age five in licensed, monitored family child care homes. For more information, contact 818-364-7863.

8. Financial Aid Office: Students can obtain application forms for financial aid as well as applications for various scholarships by calling 818-364-7650.

2 9. Counseling Office: Child Development students are encouraged to speak with a counselor to determine the graduation needs according to Mission College regulations. For an appointment, call 818-364-7656.

10. Assessment Office: All students are required to take an assessment test in both English and Math in order to enroll in the courses required to earn a Child Development certificate and/or an A.A. Degree. Call 818-364-7614 for an appointment.

11. Disabled Students Programs and Services: This office offers assessments, tutoring and resources for students who need assessment or who have already been identified as having special needs for academic success. For more information, call the office at 818-364-7734.

12. Mission College Publications: We offer several publications to offer information, guidance and support for our students. These include, but are not limited to  LAMC Catalog – we strongly recommend purchasing a catalog from the year that you begin your Child Development coursework, as this serves as your “contract” for requirements for various certificates and degrees. (Note: the “contract” applies to students who attend fall and spring semesters without a break.)  LAMC schedule of classes – published each semester or intersession

12. LAMC website – this is an excellent source of information and available resources for all Mission College students. A specific link is available for Child Development through the student page. www.lamission.edu

Websites for Child Development Students: Los Angeles Mission College www.lamission.edu Child Development Training Consortium www.childdevelopment.org California Commission on Teacher Credentialing www.ctc.ca.gov California Early Childhood Mentor Program www.ecementor.org Dep’t of Social Services Child Care Licensing Division www.ccld.ca.gov LAUSD Early Childhood Education Division www.lausd.k12.ca.us/lausd/offices/cdd National Association for the Education of Young Children www.naeyc.org California Assoc. for the Education of Young Children www.caeyc.org

Los Angeles Mission College Child Development Faculty Full Time Faculty: Lilamani De Silva, Chair 818-364-7673 [email protected] Gloria San Jose Daims 818-364-7860 [email protected] Janice Silver 818-364-7714 [email protected]

There are also many adjunct (part time) faculty members who teach a large number of our Child Development classes. Each faculty member has a voice mail phone number and email address. This information is usually provided on your class syllabus. If not, do not hesitate to ask any faculty member for phone numbers and email addresses.

3 4 Frequently Asked Questions:

1. What qualifications do I need to work in the field of child development or early childhood education? Child Development programs in the State of California are those programs that offer care and education for children from birth through age five and before and after school programs for school age. They are divided into categories based on funding: Private Programs – Licensed under Title 22, teachers in private infant, preschool or school age programs must have a minimum of twelve units called core units. Private programs may require more units, but not fewer. Publicly Funded Programs – Licensed under Title 22, regulated and funded under Title 5, teachers in publicly funded programs must have a California Child Development Teacher Permit. Many agencies require more education in addition to the permit. For example, LAUSD Early Education Centers require B.A. degrees, as will Head Start programs.

2. What are core units? These include CD1 and CD11, plus one course from CD2 or 30 or 46 (depending on age of children in the program) and one course from CD3 or CD4 orCD7 or CD15. See skill certificates for more information.

3. What is the difference between a Child Development Certificate and a California Child Development Permit? Child Development Certificates are issued from Mission College, and represent that the student has successfully completed a course of study in Child Development. We have a “Skill Certificate” that is earned after completing the twelve core units. We have a “Child Development Certificate” which requires 25 units and can be used for transfer. We also have Occupational Certificates with six possible areas of specialization, each of which requires 36 units with two semesters of practicum. Private preschools do not necessarily require a certificate; however they do require completion of units. Certificates are a good way to enhance a resume by showing academic and professional progress and dedication.

California Child Development Permits are issued by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing, and are required for employment in any program funded through the California Department of Education, Child Development Division (Title 5). Title 5 programs include LAUSD Early Education Centers and State Preschools. Federal Head Start teachers must also hold permits. See the attached CD Permit Matrix for more information.

4. Once I have completed the courses needed for a certificate, where do I apply for a certificate? Skill Certificate applications are available on the LAMC web page or from the office of Academic Affairs. Fill out the top of the form, attach an unofficial transcript showing completion of the required courses, and submit it to one of the full time Child Development faculty for signature. You must then take it to the CTE office in Academic Affairs for verification. You will receive an email when it is ready to be picked up. Child Development Certificate applications are available on the LAMC web page and should be submitted to your practicum teacher who will provide the necessary guidance and processing support. These are awarded at a special ceremony at the end of each Spring semester.

5. Can I apply for the California Child Development Permit at Mission? No. The California Child Development Permit is issued by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CCTC). Applications can be obtained through the Child Development Training Consortium at www.childdevelopment.org, through a full time Child Development faculty member, or in our Child Development Student Resource Center. Completed applications can be submitted to the Child Development Training Consortium at the address provided on the application. A faculty member can guide you through this process if needed.

5 6. What is a Permit Matrix? A permit matrix is the chart of education and experience requirements for obtaining the various levels of a California Child Development Permit. There are currently six levels of the permit: Assistant, Associate teacher, Teacher, Master Teacher, Site Supervisor and Program Director. Each level has its own requirements for education and experience. See the attached copy of the matrix for more information, or use the website www.childdevelopment.org

7. Do I have to take the Child Development classes in any particular order? Some of our courses (such as CD 2, 7, 34) have prerequisites, while others do not. However, we recommend taking CD 1 as preparation for all coursework. Advanced classes such as Practicum and Administration also have prerequisites. Refer to the catalog of classes for more information.

8. What is Practicum? Practicum, sometimes called Fieldwork, refers to classes that offer supervised “student teaching” in the field. We offer two semesters of Practicum, CD22 and CD23. Both are required to obtain a Child Development Certificate, they must be taken in order, and may not be taken together in the same semester. In order to enroll in CD22, students must have successfully completed (with a grade of C or better) the twelve core units, English 28 or ESL 8, and be able to complete the requirements for their certificate by the end of the following Spring semester.

9. Do I need to be working in the field to take Practicum? No. You do not need to be employed in the field in order to take Practicum. If you are not employed, you will be required to volunteer in a Child Development classroom for approximately 8 hours per week for a total of 90 hours for the semester. Your Practicum instructor will place you in an appropriate program based on the certificate you are earning. (e.g. if you are earning an Infant/Toddler certificate, you will be placed in an infant/toddler classroom.

10. Does the completion of a certificate or a permit guarantee me a job? Although there are minimum qualifications for positions in the private and public programs, (see #1) Directors will often hire teachers with the most units and experience. This is a competitive field, and the more units and experience you have, the more desirable you will be to the program.

11. What courses do I need to open my own Family Child Care Home? At present, there are no course requirements to own and operate your own Family Child Care Home. You must however have the 15 hour CPR/First Aid training, and have fingerprint clearance. More information is available on the Dep’t of Social Services Licensing Division website at www.ccld.ca.gov or by calling the Child Care Resource Center of the San Fernando Valley at 818-717-1000.

12. What courses do I need to open and direct my own private Center? The Department of Social Services Child Care Licensing Division requires the 12 core units plus three units in Administration (CD38). There is also an experience requirement. Complete information can be obtained on their website at www.ccld.ca.gov Information and orientation schedules can also be obtained by calling the Child Care Resource Center of the San Fernando Valley at 818-717-1000 or the Community Care Licensing Office at 310-337-4333.

6 13. If I want to transfer to a four year university, should I continue in Child Development or get my A.A. in Liberal Studies? This depends on your career goal. An A.A. degree in Child Development from Mission College requires a Child Development certificate. If you are pursuing a career in Child Development, this coursework will give you a strong foundation in the field, and courses are transferable as requirements and/or electives. If you know that you want to teach in elementary school or higher, you may find the liberal arts route more expedient, however you will not get the foundation in child development that has proven to be a most important factor in teacher success.

14. If I have taken Child Development courses in other colleges, will they count for my certificate? All your previous coursework must be reviewed by the Counseling Department to see if they are equivalent to our courses. Be prepared to show official transcripts as well as course descriptions from the college catalog.

15. I have heard that Child Development teachers earn very low salaries. Is this true? It is true that some private programs have lower salaries because the school budgets are based on parent fees. Most of these programs determine your pay by your education and experience. Publicly funded programs usually pay higher salaries and have benefit packages as well. Some programs publish their salary scales. (e.g. LAUSD Early Education Centers publish their salary scales on their website at www.lausd.k12.ca.us/lausd/offices/cdd/ Currently, teacher salaries range from approximately $10.00 per hour to $40,000 per year depending on the program, the required educational qualifications and experience. With the new development of Universal Preschools in Los Angeles County, there is a significant improvement in teacher salaries. As required qualifications increase, so do salaries!

Revised: February 2012

Los Angeles Mission College Child Development Skill Certificate Requirements

Required Child Development Child Development Family Child Care Courses Skill Skill Skill Certificate Certificate Certificate Required Preschool Infant and School-Age Specialin AdministrationNeeds Bilingual/ Family CD 1 – Child GrowthCourses & Development Certificate 3 Units Toddler Care Certificate Bicultural Child Care Certificate CertificateX Preschool CertificateX CD 11 – Home School and Community Relations 3 Units X Certificate ANDCD 1 – Child Growth & X X ANDX X X X Development 3 Units CD 3CD - Creative 2 – Early Experiences Childhood: forPrinciples Children 1 X 3 Units X X & Practices 3 Units OR OR CD 3 - Creative Experiences for X X X X X CD 4Children -Creative 1 Experiences for 3 Children11Units 3 Units X CD 4 - Creative Experiences for X OR Children11 3 Units OR CD 7CD – Introduction 10 – Child Health to Curriculum 3 Unitsin ECE X 3 Units X XX X X X OR CD 11 – Home School and X X X X X X Community Relations 3 Units CD 15CD – 14Creative – Bilingual-Bicultural Curriculum in Bilingual-Bicultural Programs X Programs 3 Units 3 Units CD 15 – Creative Curriculum in X AND Bilingual-Bicultural Programs AND 3 Units CD 2CD – Early 22 – ChildhoodPracticum Principlesin Child and PracticesX 3 Units X X X X X Development 1 4 Units X OR OR CD 23 – Practicum in Child X X X X X X CD 30Development – Infant Studies 11 1 4 Units 3 Units X CD 30 – Infant Studies 1 X OR 3 Units OR CD 46CD – 31School- – Infant Age and Programs Toddler 111 3 Units X 3 Units X CD 32 – Teacher Assistant in the CD 38Elementary – Administration Classroom & Supervision of Early Childhood X Programs 1 3 Units 3 Units CD 35 – Fostering Literacy CD 39 – AdministrationDevelopment &in Supervision Young of Early Childhood X Programs 11Children 3 Units 3 Units CD 38 – Administration & CD 65Supervision – Early Childhood of Early ChildhoodMentoring and Adult Supervision X Programs 1 3 Units 2 Units AndCD 39 – Administration & AND Supervision of Early Childhood CD 22Programs – Practicum 11 in Child Development 3 Units 1 4 Units X CD 42 – The Child in a Diverse X X X X OR Society 3 Units OR CD 23CD – Practicum 44 – Programs in Child forDevelopment Children 11 4 Units X with Special Needs 1 3 Units X CD 45 – Programs for Children X CD 10with – ChildSpecial Health Needs 11 3 Units 3 Units X CD 46 – School- Age X CD 60Programs – Introduction 1 to Family Child 3 Units Care 1 1 Unit X CD 47 – School-Age X CD 61Programs – Introduction 11 to Family 3Child Units Care 11 1 Unit X CD 60 – Introduction to Family X Child Care 1 1 Unit CD 62CD – Developmental61 – Introduction Profiles: to Pre-birthFamily – Age Eight XX Child Care 11 1 Unit 2 Units CD 62 –Developmental Profiles: X CD Pre-birth63 – Creative – Age Curriculum Eight in 2 a Units Family Child Care Setting X 2 Units CD 63 – Creative Curriculum in a X Family Child Care Setting Total Units 2 Units CD 65 – Early Childhood 12 Units 12 Units 12 Units Mentoring and Adult Supervision 2 Units