Early Childhood Education: Associate Teacher Infant and Toddler
Certificate of Achievement
Program Details
This program provides foundational skills in the care of infants and toddlers. Students gain knowledge of young children’s physical, cognitive, language, social and emotional growth and development, how to create partnerships with families to provide culturally consistent and respectful care, and how to develop holistic play-based curriculum. Students will learn how to develop child care environments that are responsive to the needs of young children and skills for responsive interactions. Learning will be grounded in child development theories and knowledge of developmentally appropriate practice. Students who complete the Certificate of Achievement meet the requirements to become a fully qualified associate teacher according to the Child Development Permit Matrix issued by the State of California Commission on Teacher Credentialing and Community Care Licensing, Title 22. Additionally, students will have the infant and toddler units mandated by Title 22 to work with children under 3 years of age. Students who wish to work with young children must pass a criminal record fingerprint clearance and show proof of immunization at the time of employment. The Certificate of Achievement can be obtained by completing all the courses required for this major with a minimum grade of C or better. This is an 18-unit major.
Early Childhood Education: Associate Teacher Infant and Toddler Pathways
Pathways listed below are for the catalog year 2025-2026. Maps for previous years are available on each pathway page. What is a catalog year?
Featured Careers
Find your calling. Explore high-earning careers with entry-level data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Childcare Workers
High school diploma/GED, Associate's degree
- Job growth: Rising
- Low salary: 22,900
- High salary: 44,560
- Average salary: 32050
Clinical Neuropsychologists
Post-doctoral training
- Job growth: Stable
- Low salary: 51,410
- High salary: 163,570
- Average salary: 117580
Education Teachers, Postsecondary
Doctoral degree
- Job growth: Stable
- Low salary: 38,650
- High salary: 126,450
- Average salary: 72090
All Careers in Early Childhood Education: Associate Teacher Infant and Toddler (13)
| Clinical Neuropsychologists | Post-doctoral training | Stable | 117,580 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Neuropsychologists | Post-doctoral training, Doctoral degree | Stable | 117,580 |
| Psychologists, All Other | - n/a | - n/a | 117,580 |
| Family and Consumer Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary | Doctoral degree, Master's degree | Stable | 77,280 |
| Education Teachers, Postsecondary | Doctoral degree | Stable | 72,090 |
| Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education | Bachelor's degree, Master's degree | Declining | 62,340 |
| Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education | Bachelor's degree, Master's degree | Declining | 61,430 |
| Farm and Home Management Educators | Master's degree, Bachelor's degree | Declining | 58,120 |
| Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education | - n/a | Stable | 37,120 |
| Childcare Workers | High school diploma/GED, Associate's degree | Rising | 32,050 |
| Nannies | High school diploma/GED, Some college | Rising | 32,050 |
| Teaching Assistants, Preschool, Elementary, Middle, and Secondary School, Except Special Education | - n/a | Declining | |
| Teaching Assistants, Special Education | - n/a | Declining |
Program Pathways Mapper incorporates information from O*NET Web Services by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
Learning Outcomes
Learning outcomes help you work towards your educational goals.
- Accomplish an understanding of techniques, strategies and practices that support the child within the context of family and community while being sensitive to cultural diversity
- Apply knowledge of development from conception to three years of age to provide responsive, relationship-based based care for infants and toddlers.
- Apply knowledge of developmental theories to design a play-based curriculum which supports children using developmental, inclusive and anti-bias principles.
- Successfully gain employment in the field