Navigation for Early Childhood Education:

Frequently Asked Questions

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What type of a degree or certificate do I need to have to begin working in an early childhood program?

Although there are mandated Illinois DCFS minimum standards for early childhood program staff, individual programs can and do require specific courses or degrees of employees in their program. Most early childhood programs require that assistant teachers in their program have a minimum number of early childhood college credit hours, with plans to continue earning appropriate certificates and associate degrees.

In the Lake County area, where there is a prevalence of corporate-owned-and-based childcare centers, most programs prefer to hire lead teachers of young children who have a minimum of an associate's degree in early childhood education. Before-and-after school and school-age summer programs often hire individuals with early childhood, elementary education or recreation coursework. Center directors most often have a minimum of an Associate's degree which includes 18 credit hours of early childhood related courses, though the trend is for most program directors to possess a bachelor's degree in child development or early childhood education.

Do I have to enroll for the A.A.S. program of 62-63 credit hours to become an early childhood education student?

No. We currently have two certificate programs (Infant-Toddler Specialist, School-Age Child Care) that require 18 credit hours, along with a 33-hour Early Childhood Education Certificate intended for those students who already hold degrees or who have taken extensive coursework in another academic field and want to pursue a career as an early childhood teacher.

If I earn one of the certificates in early childhood, do those courses count toward an A.A.S. degree in Early Childhood Education?

Yes, in most cases, all of the courses you complete toward one of the early childhood certificates will count toward the 62-63 course credit hours required for the A.A.S. degree in Early Childhood Education.

 
 
 
College of Lake County, 19351 West Washington Street, Grayslake, IL 60030-1198    (847) 543-2000