Child Development

Are you a naturally gifted caregiver who is great with children?

L&C offers a way to put your talents into action, helping a whole generation of children grow in stature from early childhood through school age.

All our instructors have master’s degrees and are experienced in teaching young children. Our full curriculum includes learning about child safety and welfare, understanding the developmental domains, implementing family and community engagement, and training in the whole range of administrative responsibilities. You will receive hands-on experience through observations and an on-site internship.

L&C prepares you for several employment opportunities: as a teacher and assistant in childcare, preschool, Head Start, and school-age programs or as an aide or paraeducator in public schools. Our AAS degree specifically prepares you to serve as director of a child development program while meeting the educational requirements of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA).

Our AAS degree specifically prepares you to serve as director of a child development program while meeting the educational requirement of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA).

L&C can assist you in reaching whatever career levels you are seeking in child development. They all count.

Your Prior Experience Counts

Through the LC Child Development Prior Learning Assessment process, childcare workers can earn up to 12 college credits and save a semester’s worth of classes toward their degree by testing out.

See the catalog for the course and degree information
*This is only meant as a guide. Please see an advisor when planning your courses.

APPLY NOW at LC

If you would like more information about this program, please contact the Enrollment Center at (618) 468-2222 or enroll@lc.edu

Offerings

Associate in Applied Science (AAS) | Child Development
Certificate of Proficiency (CP) | Child Development
Certificate of Proficiency (CP) | Early Childhood Level 3
Certificate of Completion (CC) | Early Childhood Level 2
Certificate of Completion (CC) | Early Childhood Level 1
Certificate of Completion (CC) | Illinois Director
Certificate of Completion (CC) | Infant Toddler Level 2

Career Information

*Please note that data shared in this section is provided by Lightcast and is estimates only, may require education beyond the certificate or associate degree granted by LC, and there is no guarantee of employment. LC advises you to rely on your own due diligence when choosing a field of study.

Licensure or Credentialing Information

Lewis and Clark Community College's Child Development program meets the competencies required to obtain the Level 4 Early Childhood Educator and Level 2 Infant Toddler credentials from Illinois Gateways to Opportunity. Students also have the option to obtain a Level 1 Illinois Director credential. Students who plan to work in an early childhood setting in other states, U.S. Territories, or the District of Columbia should contact the appropriate agency in the area where they plan to work prior to enrollment at Lewis and Clark Community College to ensure the coursework meets those requirements. Visit Gateways to Opportunity for more information about credentials, or view the professional credentialing compliance and agencies for each state/territory.