Student Catalog and Handbook 2023-2024

Infant and Toddler Child Care Specialist Certificate (IC31)

The Early Childhood Care and Education Infant/Toddler Child Care Specialist certificate program is a sequence of courses designed to prepare students with the basics needed for working with infants and toddlers. The program provides an intense look at understanding and learning activities and proper care needed for infants and toddlers.

NOTE: To be employed in a child care center licensed by the Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning, an individual must first complete a comprehensive background check with evidence of a satisfactory determination of the following: National fingerprint-based criminal history check; Georgia Child Abuse Registry; National Sex Offender Registry; and State fingerprint-based criminal history records check and State child abuse registry for every U.S. territory, tribal land, or state in which the person has resided in the past five (5) years. Students must have a comprehensive background check with evidence of a satisfactory determination from the above list in order to complete program requirements. The cost of these record checks is at the student's expense and must be completed before participation in a practicum or internship, whether completing practicum or internship at a licensed Georgia child care center, private child care or public school.

Career Opportunities

Graduates may find employment in early care and education settings including childcare centers, Head Start, and Georgia Pre-K programs. Bright from the Start (BFTS), the regulatory agency in Georgia, requires the basic knowledge included in this TCC for a person to be a lead teacher in a childcare center and family day care center. (Bright from the Start recognizes this certificate as equivalent to a CDA for employment.)

Credit Required for Completion: Minimum of 15 credit hours

Curriculum

Occupational Courses

ECCE 1101Introduction to Early Childhood Care and Education

3

ECCE 1103Child Growth and Development

3

ECCE 1105Health, Safety and Nutrition

3

ECCE 2330Infant/Toddler Development

3

ECCE 2332Infant/Toddler Group Care and Curriculum

3