Childcare is a competitive field, especially in Southern California. At Seaside Staffing Company, we have the distinct pleasure of interviewing some of the most highly qualified candidates with highly desirable background qualifications and certifications. Our candidates are often credentialed educators looking for the opportunity to work with children on a more individual and personal basis. Even without teaching credentials, candidates with any sort of early childhood education units from accredited schools are definite standouts.
Investing in early childhood education is a phenomenal way to increase your earning potential as well as competitive edge in a job search. A really great place to start is considering a certificate program, which typically includes a course in human growth and development, a class in nutrition, health and safety, and one to three more courses that are more specialized in the particular type of certificate. For example, a Certificate of Performance in Infant/Toddler Care at San Diego City College includes CHIL 101: Human growth and development, CHIL 175: Infant-Toddler Growth and Development, and CHIL 176: Principles of Infant/Toddler Caregiving.
Here are some of the opportunities for acquiring early childhood education units in San Diego:
San Diego Mesa College
Centrally located between Clairemont and Mission Valley, SDMC offers three Certificate of Performance programs as well as an Associate of Science program in child development (27-29 units plus other completion units). The certificate programs include Assistant Teacher (10-13 units), Teacher (25-28 units), and Master Teacher (29-33 units).
Visit the San Diego Mesa College website for more information.
San Diego City College
A great option for those living closer to Downtown San Diego, SDCC offers both Certificates of Performance, Certificates of Achievement, as well as Associate in Science programs. Certificate of Performance programs include Assistant Teacher (10-13 units), Family Child Care (9 units), Infant/Toddler Care (9 units), Residential Care Workers (12 units), and School Age Child Care (12 units).
Certificate of Achievement programs include Child Development – Associate Teacher (18-19 units), Child Development – Teacher (26-29 units), and Child Development – Master Teacher (34-39 units). Associate In Science Programs include Child Development and Child Development Site Supervisor, and require 60 total units.
Visit the San Diego City College website for more information.
San Diego Continuing Education
SDCE is an organization that facilitates lifelong learning throughout the San Diego Community College district. They offer coursework in child development throughout the entire year, with a variety of settings, topics, specialties, and age groups. SDCE is a great option for those looking to choose their own courses to meet their own specific educational goals. Some course examples include: 13 to 23 Months: Walking & Talking, 24 to 36 Months: Discovering Me, Families Learning Together, and 3 to 5 Years: Preschool Experience.
Visit the San Diego Continuing Education website to learn more.
Palomar College
Palomar College is a great option for those seeking a North County location. Palomar offers Certificates of Proficiency for Assistant Teachers (16.5 units) and School Age Assistants (15.5 units).
The Certificates of Achievement programs at Palomar College have the advantage of being used toward an Associates Degree. These programs include Preschool Teacher, Infant/Toddler Teacher, Early Inclusion Teacher, and Early Childhood Administration. All of these certificates are 40 units total, and include a course load that is very appealing to potential employers.
Visit the Palomar College website to learn more.
