Early Childhood Level 3

Illinois Gateways to Opportunity Credential
Career Certificate
Cost
$5,811*

Learn nuanced care for young children

With an Early Childhood Level 3 certificate, you practice observational assessment and study how it informs curriculum instruction. Your coursework prepares you to obtain the Level 3 Early Childhood Illinois Gateways to Opportunity credential.

Whether you work in a public or private childcare center, your courses prepare you for responsibilities such as:

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

What can you do with a Level 3 Certificate in Early Childhood Education?

You value using play to encourage children’s self-esteem. With Level 3 Certificate Early Childhood Education (E.C.E.) courses, you build the skills to achieve this goal. Practice taking a child-centered approach to guidance and early social development.

Start a career right away in one of the following roles:

  • infant teacher
  • toddler teacher
  • preschool teacher
  • paraprofessional
  • childcare lead teacher

Highlights

  • Illinois Gateways to Opportunity

    Coursework is aligned with state-recognized requirements. 

  • Stackable Credentials

    Earn and learn as you go with stackable credentials.

  • 100% Online

    Can be completed 100% online.

  • Financial Aid/Scholarships Available

    Based on need and/or achievement. Explore ways to pay for college.

  • Career Certificate

    Earn a career certificate in 1 year or less to refine your skills into an in-demand career.

  • Program Length: 1 Year

    Full-time students finish in 1 year.

Career Outlook

You know an education is important, but the career you get after graduating is even more important. We’re working to identify the most relevant career data for this program. Until then, you can explore the latest career opportunities in the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook.

View more careers

Need help?

Your College & Career Navigator (CCN) helps 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, 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
    ENG 121

    ENG 121 English Composition I

    Class Description

    This course is designed to help students develop their competence in college-level writing and in the analysis of texts so they can enter the dialogue of the academic community. This course includes the analysis and practice of argument and the use of critical thinking to read, analyze, and produce college-level texts.
         		3
    CMM 121

    CMM 121 Fundamentals of Speech

    Class Description

    For students interested in improving their oral communication competency. This course combines a theoretical basis with practical verbal and nonverbal skills to enhance public speaking effectiveness. Students learn how to develop, research, organize, adapt, deliver and critique messages.
         		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 ENG 121
      Course Title

      ENG 121 English Composition I

      Class Description

      This course is designed to help students develop their competence in college-level writing and in the analysis of texts so they can enter the dialogue of the academic community. This course includes the analysis and practice of argument and the use of critical thinking to read, analyze, and produce college-level texts.
      Credits 3
      Course Highlights
    • Course Code CMM 121
      Course Title

      CMM 121 Fundamentals of Speech

      Class Description

      For students interested in improving their oral communication competency. This course combines a theoretical basis with practical verbal and nonverbal skills to enhance public speaking effectiveness. Students learn how to develop, research, organize, adapt, deliver and critique messages.
      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
    ECE 241

    ECE 241 Guidance and Social Development

    Class Description

    This course introduces practical principles and techniques for providing a balanced, child-centered approach to addressing the developmental needs and abilities of children in the early childhood years. Course content includes review of general theories of child guidance and how guidance encourages autonomy and self-discipline while promoting development of positive self-concept and early social development. Emphasis is placed on encouraging self-esteem, activities to promote pro-social behaviors, the relationship between the classroom environment and behavior, and the importance of observation to understand the underlying causes of behavior.
         		3
    ECE 242

    ECE 242 Math Activities for Young Children

    Class Description

    This course incorporates theories, research, and pedagogy as it relates to the emergence and development of mathematical concepts, knowledge, and skill development in young children. Includes review of basic mathematical concepts and terminology for teacher preparation in early childhood education. Emphasis is on the exploration of principles, methods, and developmentally appropriate materials within the early childhood classroom. Students learn and demonstrate how to promote children's emerging math skills and concepts through hands-on discovery and play. Includes planning, preparation, and assessment techniques for relevant early childhood math curriculum.
         		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
    • Course Code ECE 241
      Course Title

      ECE 241 Guidance and Social Development

      Class Description

      This course introduces practical principles and techniques for providing a balanced, child-centered approach to addressing the developmental needs and abilities of children in the early childhood years. Course content includes review of general theories of child guidance and how guidance encourages autonomy and self-discipline while promoting development of positive self-concept and early social development. Emphasis is placed on encouraging self-esteem, activities to promote pro-social behaviors, the relationship between the classroom environment and behavior, and the importance of observation to understand the underlying causes of behavior.
      Credits 3
      Course Highlights
    • Course Code ECE 242
      Course Title

      ECE 242 Math Activities for Young Children

      Class Description

      This course incorporates theories, research, and pedagogy as it relates to the emergence and development of mathematical concepts, knowledge, and skill development in young children. Includes review of basic mathematical concepts and terminology for teacher preparation in early childhood education. Emphasis is on the exploration of principles, methods, and developmentally appropriate materials within the early childhood classroom. Students learn and demonstrate how to promote children's emerging math skills and concepts through hands-on discovery and play. Includes planning, preparation, and assessment techniques for relevant early childhood math curriculum.
      Credits 3
      Course Highlights

Total Credit Hours

32

*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.



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Early Childhood Education at CLC

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