Child Development Assistant,
Certificate I
Overview
The Child Development program is designed for persons who want a challenging and rewarding career in educating and caring for young children. Through the development of practical skills, knowledge of theory, and a nurturing attitude, students learn to be quality child care providers for children. In response to community demand for qualified child care providers, the Child Development program at Laredo College addresses student competencies and standards for early childhood programs developed by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), State Board for Educator's Certification Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilty Standards, and The Child Development National Credential Program.
Information
The Child Development Program provides teacher training through a variety of courses. It requires students to spend a major part of their credit-hour time working with young children in various early childhood programs. In addition, the program has expanded in Laredo and the surrounding communities by offering online courses.
Laredo College offers two levels of study: a two-year Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S) degree in Child Development and one-year Child Development Assistant Certificate I. Both are based on the principal that quality care makes a positive difference in the lives of children and their families. Instruction is centered on lecture, lab, internship and field experience courses, which offer direct experience in a variety of settings.
For more information, view the Child Development Handbook.
*Due to the nature of the curricula and the criteria for child-care center and public school volunteers, determined by the state licensing agency, there are special entrance and continuation requirements for the completion of CDEC and TECA Child Development courses. As required by The Texas Health and Human Services Minimum Standards for Child Care Centers, December 2024 (P20330-0000), the student must comply with the following:
A student must be able to supervise children at all times as defined by Texas Administrative Code (TAC) §746.1205.
The student must complete a Criminal History Background check as defined in TAC §745.607.
If the criminal history check identifies any criminal convictions, as defined in TAC §745.661, the student will not be permitted to continue in any CDEC Internship course or EDUC course.
Additionally, students
- Must have a negative T.B. test or negative chest x-ray from the USA during the first two weeks of the semester. If an outbreak were to occur, an additional T.B. test may be required.
- Must submit two letters of reference (not from relatives).
- Must sign a code of ethics statement at the beginning of the semester.
NOTE: Due to the nature of the curricula and the criteria, for public school volunteers, there are special entrance and continuation requirements for the completion of EDUC courses. All students enrolling in EDUC classes requiring field experience assignments must turn in a clear criminal history background check from the Webb County Sheriff's Department or The Laredo Police Department indicating that the student does not have a criminal history.
NOTE: To receive credit for CDEC, EDUC, & TECA courses, the student must complete all CDEC, EDUC, & TECA, courses with a grade of "C" or better.
NOTE: Successful completion of all undergraduate, lower level courses, taken at Laredo College does not guarantee acceptance to a transfer institution.
Contact Information
Child Development Program
Academic & Advanced Technology Building Room C109
5500 South Zapata HWY
Laredo, Texas 78046
(956)794-4389
Plan of Study
| Recommended Course Sequence | Semesters Offered | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 | ||
| TECA 1311 - Educating Young Children | Fall | 3 |
| CDEC 1313 - Curriculum Resources for Early Childhood Programs | Fall | 3 |
| CDEC 1358 - Creative Arts for Early Childhood | Fall | 3 |
| CDEC 1359 - Children with Special Needs | Fall | 3 |
| TECA 1354 - Child Growth and Development | Fall | 3 |
| 15 Hours | ||
| Semester 2 | ||
| TECA 1318 – Wellness of the Young Child | Spring | 3 |
| CDEC 1356 – Emergent Literacy for Early Childhood | Spring | 3 |
| CDEC 1319 – Child Guidance1,2 | Spring | 3 |
| CDEC 2187 – Internship – Child Care Provider/Assistant1 | Spring | 1 |
| CDEC 1321 – The Infant and Toddler | Spring | 3 |
| TECA 1303 – Families, School & Community | Spring | 3 |
| 16 Hours | ||
| CERTIFICATE DEGREE MINIMUM: 31 SEMESTER CREDIT HOURS/PATHWAY TOTAL: 31 SEMESTER CREDIT HOURS | ||
1Corequisites: CDEC 1319 & CDEC 2187.
2Capstone Experience: CDEC 1319 is a course taught in the last semester. The learning experiences in this course result in a consolidation of a student's educational experience.
Note: All Child Development courses require a grade of "C" or better.