Early Childhood Level 2 Certificate

Illinois Gateways to Opportunity Credential
Career Certificate
Cost
$3,500* (estimated)

Strengthen child and family bonds

With an Early Childhood Education (E.C.E.) Level 2 certificate, you research the influence of family, community and culture on child development. Your coursework prepares you to obtain the Level 2 Early Childhood Illinois Gateways to Opportunity credential.

Gateways to Opportunity logoWhether you work in a school or private childcare center, your courses prepare you for responsibilities such as:

  • observation and assessment of young children’s learning
  • development of children from birth through age 8
  • problem solving
  • parent communication

What can you do with a Level 2 Certificate in Early Childhood Education?

When kids are at play, you are at your best. Put your patience, communication skills and concern for child safety to work in a variety of childcare settings. With this certificate, you build the skills to achieve this goal.

Start a career right away in one of these roles:

  • infant assistant teacher
  • toddler assistant teacher
  • preschool assistant teacher
  • paraprofessional
  • childcare assistant teacher

Highlights

  • Illinois Gateways to Opportunity

    Coursework is aligned with state-recognized requirements. 

  • Stackable Credentials

    Earn college credits and learn as you go with stackable credentials.

  • 100% Online

    Can be completed 100% online.

  • Financial Aid / Scholarship Opportunities

    Explore ways to pay for college (based on need/achievement).

  • Career Certificate

    Gain in-demand technical and job-ready skills by earning a certificate in less than 1 year.

  • Program Length: 1 Year

    Finish in 1 year as a full-time student.

*Estimated cost is based on recommended pathway credit hours for full-time students for academic year 2025-2026. This includes in-district tuition and comprehensive fees, before financial aid, including grants, loans, and scholarships, is applied. Actual cost may vary to include additional fees, materials, and other cost of attendance factors such as living expenses, transportation, etc. Explore opportunities for financial assistance at CLC. Learn more about the Cost of Attendance.

Career Outlook

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Need help getting started?

Ask us for help. Your College & Career Navigator (CCN) will help you:

  • complete the admission process
  • choose an academic program
  • enroll in first-semester classes
  • get access to helpful resources

Talk to a CCN

Recommended Pathway

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 and degree requirements, see the college catalog.

Icon Key

  • Credit for prior learning available
  • Dual credit options available
  • Global citizenship
  • Online/Virtual options available

  • Course Code Course Title Credits Course Highlights
    CLC 120

    CLC 120 College Success Seminar

    Class Description

    This course is designed to teach students attitudes and skills valuable for college success. Topics may include: growth mindset, self-advocacy skills, college resources, college culture, financial literacy, and academic success strategies, such as study skills, time management, and goal setting. Throughout this course, students will develop skills necessary for promoting positive human relations in a diverse society.
         		2
    ECE 121

    ECE 121 Introduction to Early Childhood Education

    Class Description

    This survey course provides an overview of early childhood care and education including historical and cultural perspectives, organization, structure, programming, and evidence-based practices. Professional and evidence-based practices of highly-qualified early childhood educators are outlined with an emphasis on their ability to enhance development and learning of each and every child between the ages of birth and eight. Considerations for diversity of culture, language, race, socioeconomic status, gender, ethnicity, and ability will be included. Note: Students are required to complete ten hours of field observations in diverse early childhood settings. Current Illinois State Police criminal background check may be required.
         		3
    ECE 124

    ECE 124 Child Development for Educators

    Class Description

    This course provides an overview of the theory and principles of human growth and development from conception through adolescence. Content includes an in-depth study of the inter-relatedness of physical, cognitive, social and emotional aspects of development. Development is studied in the context of family, gender, culture, language, ability, socioeconomics, diversity, and society. Special emphasis will be on the theories of Piaget, Vygotsky, Erikson, and Gardner with implications for applied classroom practice. ECE 124 and EDU 124 are cross-listed.
         		3
    ECE 141

    ECE 141 Health, Safety, and Nutrition for Young Children

    Class Description

    This course provides an overview of the health, safety and nutritional needs of young children and early childhood practices to ensure the health and well-being of each child in a group setting. Content includes roles and responsibilities of adults in meeting children's diverse needs, the promotion of healthy lifestyle practices, understanding common childhood illnesses and injuries, meeting health, nutrition and safety standards, and planning nutritious meals that are appropriate for each child.
         		3
    • Course Code CLC 120
      Course Title

      CLC 120 College Success Seminar

      Class Description

      This course is designed to teach students attitudes and skills valuable for college success. Topics may include: growth mindset, self-advocacy skills, college resources, college culture, financial literacy, and academic success strategies, such as study skills, time management, and goal setting. Throughout this course, students will develop skills necessary for promoting positive human relations in a diverse society.
      Credits 2
      Course Highlights
    • Course Code ECE 121
      Course Title

      ECE 121 Introduction to Early Childhood Education

      Class Description

      This survey course provides an overview of early childhood care and education including historical and cultural perspectives, organization, structure, programming, and evidence-based practices. Professional and evidence-based practices of highly-qualified early childhood educators are outlined with an emphasis on their ability to enhance development and learning of each and every child between the ages of birth and eight. Considerations for diversity of culture, language, race, socioeconomic status, gender, ethnicity, and ability will be included. Note: Students are required to complete ten hours of field observations in diverse early childhood settings. Current Illinois State Police criminal background check may be required.
      Credits 3
      Course Highlights
    • Course Code ECE 124
      Course Title

      ECE 124 Child Development for Educators

      Class Description

      This course provides an overview of the theory and principles of human growth and development from conception through adolescence. Content includes an in-depth study of the inter-relatedness of physical, cognitive, social and emotional aspects of development. Development is studied in the context of family, gender, culture, language, ability, socioeconomics, diversity, and society. Special emphasis will be on the theories of Piaget, Vygotsky, Erikson, and Gardner with implications for applied classroom practice. ECE 124 and EDU 124 are cross-listed.
      Credits 3
      Course Highlights
    • Course Code ECE 141
      Course Title

      ECE 141 Health, Safety, and Nutrition for Young Children

      Class Description

      This course provides an overview of the health, safety and nutritional needs of young children and early childhood practices to ensure the health and well-being of each child in a group setting. Content includes roles and responsibilities of adults in meeting children's diverse needs, the promotion of healthy lifestyle practices, understanding common childhood illnesses and injuries, meeting health, nutrition and safety standards, and planning nutritious meals that are appropriate for each child.
      Credits 3
      Course Highlights

  • Course Code Course Title Credits Course Highlights
    ECE 220

    ECE 220 Observation and Assessment

    Class Description

    This course prepares students to complete authentic, alternative, classroom-based assessments on young children, as well as mange standardized tests in an appropriate manner. The course will further provide the student with the knowledge and skills to interpret and use the information gained to plan curriculum that is responsive to and supportive of children's learning and development. Students will have the opportunity to engage in assessment processes through classroom observations, providing each student with a stronger understanding of child development skills. Students learn about and explore a variety of age, linguistically, individually, and culturally appropriate formal and informal assessments. Students will practice gathering and sharing information on each child's skills, abilities, interests and needs, birth through age 8. Includes required daytime field experience hours in diverse settings.Note: Current Illinois State Police criminal background check required.
         		3
    ECE 223

    ECE 223 Child, Family, and Community

    Class Description

    This course focuses on the diverse needs of the child within the context of family, school and community. The course will examine the interplay of diverse cultures, lifestyles, abilities, language and communication with the role of the early childhood environment and other community institutions. Students will gain an understanding of their professional role in supporting evidence-based practices that strengthen respectful, collaborative family/child partnerships through effective use of community and family resources.
         		3
    ECE 229

    ECE 229 Language Development and Early Literacy

    Class Description

    This course focuses on the development of speech, language, and emergent literacy in the young child. Students will gain an understanding of how children progress through stages of language acquisition, as well as the influence of culture and diversity on language and literacy development. Students will explore and develop strategies for facilitating language development and emergent literacy, create integrated curriculum activities, and assess children's literature for developmental and cultural appropriateness.
         		3
    • Course Code ECE 220
      Course Title

      ECE 220 Observation and Assessment

      Class Description

      This course prepares students to complete authentic, alternative, classroom-based assessments on young children, as well as mange standardized tests in an appropriate manner. The course will further provide the student with the knowledge and skills to interpret and use the information gained to plan curriculum that is responsive to and supportive of children's learning and development. Students will have the opportunity to engage in assessment processes through classroom observations, providing each student with a stronger understanding of child development skills. Students learn about and explore a variety of age, linguistically, individually, and culturally appropriate formal and informal assessments. Students will practice gathering and sharing information on each child's skills, abilities, interests and needs, birth through age 8. Includes required daytime field experience hours in diverse settings.Note: Current Illinois State Police criminal background check required.
      Credits 3
      Course Highlights
    • Course Code ECE 223
      Course Title

      ECE 223 Child, Family, and Community

      Class Description

      This course focuses on the diverse needs of the child within the context of family, school and community. The course will examine the interplay of diverse cultures, lifestyles, abilities, language and communication with the role of the early childhood environment and other community institutions. Students will gain an understanding of their professional role in supporting evidence-based practices that strengthen respectful, collaborative family/child partnerships through effective use of community and family resources.
      Credits 3
      Course Highlights
    • Course Code ECE 229
      Course Title

      ECE 229 Language Development and Early Literacy

      Class Description

      This course focuses on the development of speech, language, and emergent literacy in the young child. Students will gain an understanding of how children progress through stages of language acquisition, as well as the influence of culture and diversity on language and literacy development. Students will explore and develop strategies for facilitating language development and emergent literacy, create integrated curriculum activities, and assess children's literature for developmental and cultural appropriateness.
      Credits 3
      Course Highlights

Total Credit Hours

20


Female student taking notes in class

Early Childhood Education at CLC

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This certificate is just one possible way to study early childhood education. Get the bigger picture—degrees, credentials and extra options.

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