The Early Childhood Development Certificate and Early Childhood Development Diploma Programs are designed to prepare students for entry-level jobs in the area of early childhood development. The certificate courses provide basic knowledge of child growth and development. The diploma courses add the expertise needed to plan and implement various activities for children and to lead a classroom.

The Child Care Management Certificate will prepare or enhance an individual for an administrative  position in a child care setting.  The program includes studies in areas of administration, management, child development, curriculum, health, safety, nutrition, and family/community relations.

The Infant and Toddler Development Certificate is designed to help upgrade and enhance the skills of infant and toddler child care professionals and also is open to those with no experience.  Professionals working with children birth through 3 years old are provided with training related to experiences in growth and development, curriculum issues, and student teaching.  This certificate and the individual courses may be useful to those professionals working or seeking employment with the Early Headstart Program.

The Early Childhood Special Education Advanced Certificate will prepare or enhance a childcare provider, lead/assistant teacher, or an instructional assistant to competently and appropriately interact with special needs children.  The curriculum includes the following areas of study that are essential in understanding and meeting the needs of exceptional children: communication systems, facilitation and environmental management, activity therapy, and counseling techniques.

Graduates of the Early Childhood Development Programs find employment in child care centers, preschools, Headstart programs, public schools, and private kindergartens. Working as a nanny, serving as a public school teacher assistant, and opening a private or family child care center are also employment options. The positions may be as teacher assistants, lead teachers, assistant directors, and directors or owners/operators in a child care setting.  Graduates may also find employment in various agencies, programs and entities that serve children and their families.

Admission to the Early Childhood Development Programs requires qualifying scores on the College’s placement test, or S.A.T. or A.C.T., and a high school diploma or equivalent. Prior to entry, students must submit evidence of a negative TB test, and complete a Department of Social Services letter of non-conviction, criminal background check, and medical forms.

Several courses require both lecture and lab hours at the nationally accredited York Technical College Child Development Center; in some cases labs are off-campus. The programs are designed to provide training for the person already employed in child care as well as to prepare those who plan to enter the field. Laboratory settings require criminal background checks, processed through SC State Law Enforcement Division (SLED), before allowing students to participate in laboratory experiences.  Any conviction of the following will make the applicant ineligible for employment in any child care facility and therefore, ineligible to participate in laboratory experiences required in ECD courses: offenses against the person, offenses against morality and decency; contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

The York Technical College Child Development Center is accredited by the
National Association of Education for Young Children (NAEYC)
National Association for the Education of Young Children
1509 16th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20036
1-800-424-2460

People who love children and have patience, compassion, mature judgment, good organizational skills and a sense of humor would enjoy a career in early childhood development.