The Child Development curriculum is offered by the Department of Social, Behavioral and Educational Studies at the Quad-Cities Campus, Moline, and through distance learning and online courses at the East Campus. The Child Development career program is especially designed to prepare persons to work with groups of pre-school children in facilities which foster healthy social, physical, emotional and intellectual growth. The Black Hawk College Child Development Program has been approved as an entitled program leading to the Illinois Director Credential, Level I. To earn this credential, students must follow a prescribed course of study. The Gateways Level 2, 3, and 4 and Infant-Toddler Level 2, 3 and 4 credentials are now available also. The AAS Degree is now fully accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). Black Hawk College is one of only seven associate degree programs in Illinois and a part of the 10 percent of eligible programs to have this accreditation. The accreditation system establishes professional preparation standards to raise the quality of early childhood teacher education, and in turn raise the quality of early education programs serving young children.
Students will take classes designed to give particular understanding and skills in such areas as human growth and development, nutrition, and behavior. Observation and practical experience will take place in off-campus preschool and child care facilities. Observation and practicum students must have documentation of a current physical exam and of having a P.P.D. 2-step test for T.B.; if positive, include the date and results of a chest x-ray. Additionally, fingerprinting and background check may be required for observation and practicum students.
Employment possibilities for graduates are in the areas of center child care, home child care, preschool and public school programs. Positions include child care/preschool director, child care/preschool teacher, child care/preschool teacher aide or assistant, homecare giver, public school teacher aide, or recreational worker. Students who want an Early Childhood four-year degree leading to 04 certification should follow the Associate of Arts in Teaching (AAT) in Early Childhood Education degree plan.
The Teacher Aide Certificate is designed to prepare individuals to be Teacher Aides in the public school systems; from preschool through high school, including special education. This certificate can lead directly into the 2-year Child Development Associate in Applied Science degree.
