Early Childhood Development
Overview
Students can use the Early Childhood Development Certificate as a stand-alone certificate to begin working in child care or as a pathway toward their Associate Degree in Early Care and Education.
Students in the 27-hour Early Childhood Development Certificate program will receive the tools and resources necessary to provide language and literacy-rich environments; appropriate math and science skills; an inquiry-based approach to learning about the world; and safe, healthy environments that promote the emotional and social well-being of all children. An emphasis will be placed on a variety of learning styles and inclusive environments to meet the needs of all children. Students will have experiences with a variety of ages and curriculum models through hands-on experience in a variety of child care and early education facilities. This program is designed to meet the equivalency of a Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential. Courses completed satisfactorily may be used toward the Associate in Applied Science Degree in Early Care and Education.
Learning experiences for students in the Early Childhood Development Certificate program are provided in classrooms on the Airport and Beltline campuses. Courses may also be taught at Batesburg-Leesville, Harbison, or Northeast campuses. Candidates complete required observations and field experiences with local child care, Head Start, and/or public-school early childhood classrooms.
Students must earn a grade of “C” or better in all of the courses offered for each of the following programs for the grade to be counted toward graduation. With the exception of ECD 101, Introduction to Early Childhood; and SAC 101, Best Practices in School-Age and Youth Care; all ECD students must take the placement test and complete (or test out of) ENG 100 and RDG 100. Students enrolled in lab classes must complete a SLED background check, physical, and TB test before attending lab sites. Please see your advisor about lab site forms and requirements.
For Early Childhood Development students interested in transferring to a four-year institution, please see an ECD Advisor to discuss various program plans and additional transfer information.
Accreditation
This program is accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children.
Program Type
Academic CertificateHow to Enroll
To pursue this degree, you must apply to MTC using our online application.
Questions?
Sample Program Plan and Costs
Class Delivery Methods
View current courses offered via our online course directory.
| On-Campus | Traditional. Classes meet on campus. |
|---|---|
| Virtual | 100% online. Meets with a live instructor and classmates on specific days, at specific times. Uses web conferencing software, like Zoom. |
| Hybrid | Some classes on campus. Some classes online or virtual. |
| Online | 100% online. Due dates for projects and assignments. Self-paced work on your time. |
Full Time
| Semester | Course ID | Course Title | Classroom | Online | Hybrid | Virtual | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 (12 Credit Hours) |
ECD-101 |
Introduction to Early Childhood Introduction to Early Childhood ID: ECD-101 Credit Hours: 3 This course is an overview of growth and development, developmentally appropriate curriculum, positive guidance techniques, regulations, health, safety, and nutrition standards in early care and education. Professionalism, family/cultural values and practical applications based on historical and theoretical models in early care and education are highlighted in this course. |
• | • | • | 3 | |
| ECD-102 |
Growth and Development I Growth and Development I ID: ECD-102 Credit Hours: 3 This course is an extensive study of philosophies and theories of growth and development of infants/toddlers. Focus is on total development of the child, with emphasis on physical, social, emotional, cognitive, and nutritional areas. Developmental tasks and appropriate activities are explored in the course. |
• | 3 | ||||
| ECD-105 |
Guidance-Classroom Management Guidance-Classroom Management ID: ECD-105 Credit Hours: 3 This course is an overview of developmentally appropriate, effective guidance and classroom management techniques for the teacher of young children. A positive pro-active approach is stressed in the course. |
• | 3 | ||||
| ECD-135 |
Health, Safety, and Nutrition Health, Safety, and Nutrition ID: ECD-135 Credit Hours: 3 This course covers a review of health/safety practices recommended for child care and includes information on common diseases and health problems. Certification preparation is provided in pediatric safety, cpr, and first aid. Guidelines and information on nutrition and developmentally-appropriate activities are also studied in the course. |
• | • | • | 3 | ||
| Semester 2 (15 Credit Hours) |
ECD-203 |
Growth and Development II Growth and Development II ID: ECD-203 Credit Hours: 3 This course is an in-depth study of preschool children growing and developing in today's world. Focus is on total development of the child with emphasis on physical, social, emotional, cognitive, and nutritional areas of development. Developmental tasks and appropriate activities are explored in the course. |
• | • | 3 | ||
| ECD-131 |
Language Arts Language Arts ID: ECD-131 Credit Hours: 3 This course is a study of methods and materials in age-appropriate language experiences. Opportunities are provided to develop listening, speaking, prereading and prewriting skills through planning, implementation, and evaluation of media, methods, techniques and equipment. Methods of selection, evaluation, and presentation of children's literature are included. |
• | 3 | ||||
| ECD-132 |
Creative Experiences Creative Experiences ID: ECD-132 Credit Hours: 3 In this course the importance of creativity and independence in creative expression are stressed. A variety of age-appropriate media, methods, techniques and equipment are utilized. Students plan, implement, and evaluate instructional activities. |
• | • | 3 | |||
| ECD-133 |
Science and Math Concepts Science and Math Concepts ID: ECD-133 Credit Hours: 3 This course includes an overview of pre-number and science concepts developmentally-appropriate for young children. Emphasis is on the planning, implementation, and evaluation of developmentally-appropriate activities utilizing a variety of methods and materials. |
• | 3 | ||||
| ECD-107 |
Exceptional Children Exceptional Children ID: ECD-107 Credit Hours: 3 This course includes an overview of special needs children and their families. Emphasis is on prevalence of disorders, treatment modalities, community resources serving exceptional children, the teacher's role in mainstreaming and early identification, and on federal legislation affecting exceptional children. |
• | • | 3 | |||
| Total Credit Hours | 27 | ||||||
| Estimated Cost Financial Aid |
$5,400.00 Not including fees and equipment |
||||||
Part Time
| Semester | Course ID | Course Title | Classroom | Online | Hybrid | Virtual | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 (6 Credit Hours) |
ECD-101 |
Introduction to Early Childhood Introduction to Early Childhood ID: ECD-101 Credit Hours: 3 This course is an overview of growth and development, developmentally appropriate curriculum, positive guidance techniques, regulations, health, safety, and nutrition standards in early care and education. Professionalism, family/cultural values and practical applications based on historical and theoretical models in early care and education are highlighted in this course. |
• | • | • | 3 | |
| ECD-102 |
Growth and Development I Growth and Development I ID: ECD-102 Credit Hours: 3 This course is an extensive study of philosophies and theories of growth and development of infants/toddlers. Focus is on total development of the child, with emphasis on physical, social, emotional, cognitive, and nutritional areas. Developmental tasks and appropriate activities are explored in the course. |
• | 3 | ||||
| Semester 2 (6 Credit Hours) |
ECD-203 |
Growth and Development II Growth and Development II ID: ECD-203 Credit Hours: 3 This course is an in-depth study of preschool children growing and developing in today's world. Focus is on total development of the child with emphasis on physical, social, emotional, cognitive, and nutritional areas of development. Developmental tasks and appropriate activities are explored in the course. |
• | • | 3 | ||
| ECD-105 |
Guidance-Classroom Management Guidance-Classroom Management ID: ECD-105 Credit Hours: 3 This course is an overview of developmentally appropriate, effective guidance and classroom management techniques for the teacher of young children. A positive pro-active approach is stressed in the course. |
• | 3 | ||||
| Semester 3 (6 Credit Hours) |
ECD-135 |
Health, Safety, and Nutrition Health, Safety, and Nutrition ID: ECD-135 Credit Hours: 3 This course covers a review of health/safety practices recommended for child care and includes information on common diseases and health problems. Certification preparation is provided in pediatric safety, cpr, and first aid. Guidelines and information on nutrition and developmentally-appropriate activities are also studied in the course. |
• | • | • | 3 | |
| ECD-107 |
Exceptional Children Exceptional Children ID: ECD-107 Credit Hours: 3 This course includes an overview of special needs children and their families. Emphasis is on prevalence of disorders, treatment modalities, community resources serving exceptional children, the teacher's role in mainstreaming and early identification, and on federal legislation affecting exceptional children. |
• | • | 3 | |||
| Semester 4 (9 Credit Hours) |
ECD-131 |
Language Arts Language Arts ID: ECD-131 Credit Hours: 3 This course is a study of methods and materials in age-appropriate language experiences. Opportunities are provided to develop listening, speaking, prereading and prewriting skills through planning, implementation, and evaluation of media, methods, techniques and equipment. Methods of selection, evaluation, and presentation of children's literature are included. |
• | 3 | |||
| ECD-132 |
Creative Experiences Creative Experiences ID: ECD-132 Credit Hours: 3 In this course the importance of creativity and independence in creative expression are stressed. A variety of age-appropriate media, methods, techniques and equipment are utilized. Students plan, implement, and evaluate instructional activities. |
• | • | 3 | |||
| ECD-133 |
Science and Math Concepts Science and Math Concepts ID: ECD-133 Credit Hours: 3 This course includes an overview of pre-number and science concepts developmentally-appropriate for young children. Emphasis is on the planning, implementation, and evaluation of developmentally-appropriate activities utilizing a variety of methods and materials. |
• | 3 | ||||
| Total Credit Hours | 27 | ||||||
| Estimated Cost Financial Aid |
$5,400.00 Not including fees and equipment |
||||||
What’s next after I complete this program?
Move into the child care workforce quickly!
South Carolina recognized the Early Childhood Development Certificate as an equivalent to the national CDA Credential. When you earn the ECD Certificate at Midlands Technical College, you prepare yourself for a career in child care.