Early Childhood Education

The Early Childhood Education (ECE) Program prepares students to become teachers and directors in programs for young children.

The teaching staff and faculty at Shasta College work together to create a learning environment that models best practices for high quality early education experiences for young children and provide opportunities for observation and training for future early childhood practitioners.

The Shasta College Early Childhood Education Program is participating in a statewide Curriculum Alignment Project between California Community Colleges and participating CSU and UC systems. A twenty-four unit core of eight specific Early Childhood Education courses will articulate with participating four-year degree programs in Child Development and Early Childhood Education.

The Associate of Science degree focuses on training for careers in preschools, Head Start, childcare, infant, toddler, school age care, and family childcare. Programs for young children require different qualifications for teachers and child care providers.

The A.S. Degree in Early Childhood Education at Shasta College meets course work qualifications for the Child Development Teacher Permit Level and Title 22 staff qualifications for a teacher and director. Additional specified experience with children is required.

The transfer degree provides students with a common core of eight early childhood education courses (approved by the Curriculum Alignment Project) that permit students to transfer smoothly to participating CSU’s to complete a Bachelor’s degree in child development of early childhood education.

The degree is designed to facilitate students’ successful transfer to certain California State University (CSU) campuses that prepare them for advanced study in a variety of graduate programs, as well as a variety of careers such as teaching, Child Development Specialist, Program Directors, and Child Life Specialists.

With a BA in ECE/Child Development, students are eligible for the Master Teacher and Site Supervisor levels of the CA Child Development Permit, using the Alternative Qualification category.

The Early Childhood Education Certificate offers initial training to work with young children. After completion of the 26-unit certificate requirements, you will qualify for employment as an entry-level teacher in private child care settings licensed through the Department of Social Services.

The Early Childhood Education Certificate course work also meets the training requirements for the Child Development Associate Teacher Permit issued by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing.

All certificate requirements must be completed with a "C" grade or better. This 26 unit certificate is intended to fulfill the ECE requirement of a lower-division program of study that can transfer to the CSU system. With additional coursework, both at lower-division and upper-division levels, it prepares you for in-depth coursework toward higher degree attainment.

When the 26-unit certificate is combined with 16 General Education units, it qualifies you for a Child Development Permit issued by the Office of Teacher Credentialing, at the Teacher level. This certificate is approved through the California Community College Chancellor’s Office.