Occupational Therapy Assistant accepting apps for Fall 2026
Apply now for the Occupational Therapy Assistant program for Fall 2026.
College Credit Certificate in Early Child Educator
Why Early Child Educator
The Early Childhood Educator Certificate is tailored to equip aspiring educators for roles in child care centers and preschools. By earning this certificate and completing a Gateways Level 2 credential, students can elevate their qualifications to a Gateways Level 3 credential. Furthermore, this program offers 9 extra credit hours towards an A.A.S. degree in Child Development or an A.A. transfer degree in Early Childhood Education. For those aiming to pursue the Early Childhood Educator certificate, it’s essential to first complete the Assistant Teacher Certificate. This certificate is a pivotal stepping stone towards a fulfilling career in early childhood education.
Locations
East Campus
Quad-Cities Campus
Formats
On-campus
Online
Number of Credits
30
Financial Aid Eligibility
Yes
Careers in Early Childhood Education
Courses in Early Childhood Educator
| CRN | Course Name | Hrs. |
|---|---|---|
| ECE 100 | Introduction to Early Childhood | 3 |
| ECE 200 | Growth and Development of Young Child |
3 |
| ECE 201 | Health, Safety and Nutrition | 3 |
| ECE 202 | Observ/Assessment Y.C. | 3 |
| ECE 203 | Curriculum for Early Childhood Programs | 3 |
| ECE 222 | Child, Family, Community | 3 |
| ECE 224 | Methods of Guiding Child Behavior | 3 |
| ENG 101 | Composition I or | 3 |
| ENG 101C | Composition I | 3 |
| Mathematics Elective* | 3 | |
| PSYC 101 | Introduction to Psychology or | 3 |
| SOC 101 | Principles of Sociology | 3 |
*It is recommended that students pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Education complete MATH 108.
Learning Objectives
Students who complete this program will be able to:
- Analyze and apply the results of a standardized social-emotional-behavioral assessment to the classroom environments in ways that support heathy child development.
- Demonstrate knowledge of the legal, ethical and contextual factors that early childhood educators should apply to their assessment practice.
- Develop, implement, and evaluate a preschool lesson plan that incorporates evidence-based practices in content and delivery methods.
- Apply the results of standardized early childhood assessment to understanding the developmental strengths and challenges of individual children.
- Understand the role of early childhood educators in helping families access resources in the community.
- Demonstrate knowledge and application of professionalism of early childhood education as indicated by image, behavior and dispositions expected of Early Childhood Educators.
Students must successfully document and meet all health and background checks required by academic programs and/or courses.
Your next chapter starts here.
At Black Hawk College, the journey to academic success and personal growth is just a step away. Contact Admissions to schedule a tour, receive more information or ask a question about your program of interest.
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Abigail Swidergal, associate professor in the Occupational Therapy Assistant program, received the Illinois Occupational Therapy Association’s first-ever Occupational Therapy Assistant/Occupational Therapist (OTA/OT) Partnership Award at the group’s annual conference.
Contact
Quad-Cities Campus
309-796-5341 or
309-796-5000
East Campus
309-854-1724