Infant/Toddler Care Certificate

Story time during early childhood programs
Program Code: C55290

Infant/Toddler Care Certificate

The Infant/Toddler Care certificate prepared individuals to work with children from infancy to three years of age in diverse learning environments. Students will combine learned theories, competency-based knowledge, and practice in actual settings with young children under the supervision of qualified teachers.

Coursework includes infant/toddler growth and development, physical/nutritional needs of infants and toddlers, safety issues in the care of infants and toddlers, care and guidance, communication skills with parents and children; design and implementation of appropriate curriculum; and other related topics.

Graduates should be prepared to plan and implement developmentally appropriate infant/toddler programs in early childhood settings. Employment opportunities include child development and child care programs, preschools, public and private schools, recreational centers, Early Head Start programs, and other infant/toddler programs.

Specific Requirements

  1. General college admission requirements.
  2. According to GS 110-91, “No person shall be an operator of nor be employed in a child care facility who has been convicted of a crime involving child neglect, child abuse, or moral turpitude, or who is a habitually excessive user of alcohol or who illegally uses narcotic or other impairing drugs, or who is mentally or emotionally impaired to an extent that may be injurious to children.”
  3. Criminal background checks are required prior to the second semester of coursework.

Courses requiring a grade of C or better: EDU

Courses in this program

Course Code Course Credit Hours Link to course details

This course introduces the foundations of early childhood education, the diverse educational settings for young children, professionalism and planning intentional developmentally appropriate experiences for each child. Topics include theoretical foundations, national early learning standards, NC Foundations for Early Learning and Development, state regulations, program types, career options, professionalism, ethical conduct, quality inclusive environments, and curriculum responsive to the needs of each child/family.

This course includes the theories of child development, observation and assessment, milestones, and factors that influence development, from conception through approximately 36 months. Emphasis is placed on knowledge, observation and assessment of developmental sequences in approaches to play/learning, emotional/social, health/physical, language/communication and cognitive domains.

This course covers the development of partnerships among culturally, linguistically and ability diverse families, children, schools, and communities through the use of evidence-based strategies. Emphasis is placed on developing skills and identifying benefits for establishing and supporting respectful relationships between diverse families, programs/schools, and community agencies/resources reflective of the NAEYC Code of Ethical Conduct and the Code of Ethics for North Carolina Educators.

Course Code Course Credit Hours Link to course details

This course covers promoting and maintaining the health and well-being of every child. Topics include health and nutritional guidelines, common childhood illnesses, maintaining safe and healthy learning environments, health benefits of active play, recognition, and reporting of abuse/neglect, and state regulations. Upon completion, students should be able to apply knowledge of NC Foundations for Early Learning and Development for health, safety, nutritional needs, and safe learning environments.

This course covers the development of high-quality, individualized, responsive/engaging relationships and experiences for infants, toddlers, and twos. Emphasis is placed on typical and atypical child development, working with diverse families to provide positive, supportive, and engaging early learning activities and interactions through field experiences and the application of the NC Foundations for Early Learning and Development.

Total Credit Hours Required:
16

Curriculum is based on the 2022-23 catalog.

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