This program will prepare you as an early childhood teacher or director for programs working with infants, toddlers, and preschoolers. As a graduate, you will be prepared to plan and implement age-appropriate curriculum activities, demonstrate effective child development principles, and manage an early childcare facility.

The Program of Study page outlines coursework for students pursuing the AS in Early Childhood Education degree program. Financial aid is available to those who qualify.

These courses prepare students who work or plan to work with children birth to five years of age in a licensed childcare facility or family childcare home. This program also prepares students for the National CDA Credential.

The following courses must be completed to meet the training portion of the credential: EEC1200, EEC1603 and CHD1320.

The Staff Credential (PDF) ensures individuals in childcare programs have advanced their education and experience to provide developmentally appropriate care to young children. Individuals must apply for the staff credential by completing the Florida Child Care Staff Credential Verification Application (PDF).
To qualify for a Staff Credential, individuals must have a minimum of:

1. One of the following educational requirements: a) an active National Early Childhood Credential (NECC), b) an active Birth Through Five Child Care Credential - Florida Child Care Professional Credential (FCCPC), Florida Department of Education Child Care Apprenticeship Certificate (CACC), or an Early Childhood Professional Certificate (ECPC) or c) formal education - a 2-year, a 4-year, or an advanced college degree in early childhood education. Other degree fields will be accepted if individuals earn 6 or more college credits in early childhood education. The six-credit hours (2 courses) in Early Childhood Education or Child Development are offered every term at Broward College: EEC1200 and CHD1320.
2. Completion of 480 hours of experience working with children from birth through eight years of age in the last five years
3. 40-hour child care training

The Director Credential prepares individuals for an administrative role in a childcare program. All licensed childcare facilities are required to have a director with the Director Credential certification.
To qualify for a Director Credential (PDF), individuals must have:

1. An active Staff Credential (PDF)
2. Completed the Introduction to Childcare Training (40 hours)
3. Completed the Overview of Child Care Management course. Students may take CHD2800* to meet the requirements for the Overview of Child Care Management course. This course is offered every term at Broward College.

For information on Staff Credential Renewal, please visit the Florida Department of Children and Families, and select the Staff Credential link. Individuals will need to look at the renewal requirements listed in Section 5 of the Florida Child Care Staff Credential Verification Application (PDF). Students may take any Early Childhood course to renew the Staff Credential Renewal. The Director Credential may be renewed by completing one of the following courses at Broward College: CHD1320, CHD1331, CHD1334, and CHD1338.

The 40 Hour Training is the entry-level credential that is required by most licensed centers. Childcare personnel are required to start the 40-hour training (PDF) within the first 90 days of employment and complete the training within the first year of employment. The required 40-hour training requirement is divided into two parts.

Part I (30 Hours)

All childcare personnel must complete the following 30 hours of training:

• Child Care Facility Rules and Regulations (RNRF–6 hours)
• Health Safety and Nutrition (HSAN–8 hours)
• Identifying and Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect (CAAN–4 hours)
• Child Growth and Development (CGDR–6 hours)
• Behavioral Observation and Screening (BOSR–6 hours)

Part II (10 Hours)

All childcare personnel must complete 10 hours of training from the following courses:

Understanding Developmentally Appropriate Practices (UDAP–5 hours)

AND one (1) of the following:

• Infant and Toddler Appropriate Practices (ITPR–5 hours)
• Preschool Appropriate Practices (PSPR–5 hours)
• School-Age Appropriate Practices (SAPR–5 hours)
  or
• Special Needs Appropriate Practices (SNP–10 hours)

Note: Courses are available at Broward College through the Continuing Education Department or online at the Florida Department of Children and Family Child Care Training website.

All childcare personnel must complete a minimum of five clock hours or 0.5 CEU in early literacy:

• Early Literacy for Children Age Birth through Three (ELC–5 hours)
• Emergent Literacy for VPK Instructors (VPKR–5 hours)

You can register for the early literacy courses on the Florida Department of Children and Family Child Care Training website.