Administration & Leadership in Early Childhood Education
Career Certificate
Cost
$7,497
Advanced skills for teaching youngsters
Level up your career with an administrative and leadership certificate in early childhood education (E.C.E.). The expertise you develop can help you meet requirements for the National Association for the Education of Young Children (N.A.E.Y.C.) program accreditation and the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (I.D.C.F.S.) Director role.
Help your childcare facility run smoothly by strengthening your leadership skills. Whether you work in a public or private childcare center, your courses prepare you for responsibilities such as:
organizing and delegating tasks
educating parents
creating budgets
thinking critically and solving problems
What can you do with an Administration & Leadership Certificate in Early Childhood Education?
You witness the importance of play in the development of children on a regular basis. With a certificate in administration and leadership, you can do this as a director.
Learn the business and management skills needed to work in schools, children’s learning centers and more. Some students have even started their own childcare centers or become directors of existing childcare facilities.
Earn a career certificate in 1 year or less to refine your skills into an in-demand career.
Program Length: 1.5 Years
Full-time students can complete in 1.5 years.
Career Outlook
Plan, direct, or coordinate academic or nonacademic activities of preschools or childcare centers and programs, including before- and after-school care.
Salary Levels
Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
Entry-Level
$37,983
Median
$48,441
Senior-Level
$77,229
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
Entry-Level
$18.25
Median
$23.29
Senior-Level
$37.12
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
Top entry-level education
Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
High school diploma or less
25.65%
Certificate
6.18%
Some college
19.7%
Associate Degree
31.95%
Bachelor's Degree
16.3%
Master's Degree
0.22%
Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).
Instruct preschool-aged students, following curricula or lesson plans, in activities designed to promote social, physical, and intellectual growth.
Salary Levels
Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
Entry-Level
$32,029
Median
$39,560
Senior-Level
$57,255
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
Entry-Level
$15.39
Median
$19.02
Senior-Level
$27.52
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
Top entry-level education
Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
High school diploma or less
28.75%
Certificate
10.34%
Some college
12.17%
Associate Degree
11.55%
Bachelor's Degree
25.14%
Master's Degree
12.04%
Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).
Assist a preschool, elementary, middle, or secondary school teacher with instructional duties. Serve in a position for which a teacher has primary responsibility for the design and implementation of educational programs and services.
Salary Levels
Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
Entry-Level
$28,426
Median
$36,470
Senior-Level
$48,267
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
Entry-Level
$13.66
Median
$17.53
Senior-Level
$23.20
Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
Top entry-level education
Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
High school diploma or less
22.08%
Certificate
30.84%
Some college
23.39%
Associate Degree
18.65%
Master's Degree
5.05%
Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).
This pathway serves as a guide for students to complete the degree or certificate assuming full-time enrollment (registered in 12 or more credit hours per semester) with Semester 1 typically representing a Fall term. Students are strongly encouraged to meet with their College and Career Navigator (CCN) to identify coursework that will meet degree requirements based on individual academic goals. For a more inclusive list of course options, see the college catalog.
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*Cost is estimated based on recommended pathway credit hours. This includes in-district tuition and other
fees, such as books and materials before financial aid is applied,
as well as grants, loans or scholarships. There are many opportunities for financial assistance at CLC. Learn more about Cost of Attendance.
Early Childhood Education at CLC
Get the bigger picture
This certificate is just one possible way to study early childhood education. Get the bigger picture—degrees, credentials and extra options.
Enjoy the hands-on application of your coursework in real-world settings. Grasp the expectations employers will have—taught by supportive professors—before you begin working.
You also have the opportunity to:
conduct and present topical field research
work on projects linked to real career applications of the core concepts for each course
get support from the Future Educators Club throughout the program
As long as you understand the importance of play in the development of young children, you belong here. All ECE programs include diversity, equity and inclusion. You also have an option to take all your ECE classes in Spanish.
The administration and leadership certificate in early childhood education is 38 credit hours and takes an average of three semesters to complete. Your coursework includes intercultural communication and interviewing practices, which allow you to relate to diverse families, kids and teachers.
Your classes include:
Administration of ECE Programs
ECE Administrative Practicum
Introduction to Business
Yes, every course in this program is offered in an online format. Attend class in the way that works best for your goals.
Virtual Live: Learn remotely in real time. Take classes taught live via Zoom.
Online: Have the flexibility to complete coursework without scheduled meetings while staying actively engaged in a fully online environment.
In-person: Keep your certificate on track with classes that meet face-to-face, providing you with opportunities to interact in person with faculty and peers.
Our student profile is varied. Over half of our students are older than the average CLC student. Most of our students enter the program with an associate degree. Your empathy and listening skills are your most important characteristics.
The estimated cost of this program appears at the top of this web page, under the program title.
The cost is based on recommended pathway credit hours. It includes in-district tuition and fees, such as for books and materials. It does not factor in financial aid (grants, loans, scholarships) that you may receive.
Some courses in this program are subject to variable tuition and course fees because they provide specialized experiences, instruction or technology/equipment.
