This certificate provides students who are interested in becoming Transitional Kindergarten teachers with the necessary Early Childhood Education units required by the Department of Education to fulfill the requirements of the position. It provides in-depth knowledge of the California Preschool Learning Foundations and Frameworks (with which all Transitional Kindergarten curriculum must be aligned), as well as instruction in effective behavior management strategies, strategies for working with children from diverse cultural backgrounds, and knowledge of how to create high-quality learning environments for young children.

This program is designed both for credentialed teachers who want to earn the Early Childhood Education units necessary to qualify as Transitional Kindergarten teachers and for current preschool teachers who want to deepen their understanding of the Preschool Foundations and Frameworks. Teachers from both groups who enroll in this certificate program will receive robust professional development, particularly focused on curriculum development across the content areas. They will also meet California Community Care Licensing requirements to work as a preschool teacher, and qualify for the Associate Teacher California Child Development Permit. A minimum grade of ?C? in each course is required to earn the certificate and/or qualify for the Child Development Permit.

Career Opportunities

Transitional Kindergarten teachers, preschool teachers, and early childhood curriculum specialists.

Program Learning Outcomes

- Explain the roles of the California Preschool Learning Foundations and Frameworks in the education of young children and their relationship to the Desired Results Developmental Profile (DRDP), and Content Standards for California Public Schools (kindergarten).

- Plan environments, opportunities and family engagement to support children’s learning and development in all content areas.

- Apply ethical standards and professional behaviors that demonstrate understanding of the needs, characteristics and multiple influences on the development of children from birth to age eight as related to high-quality care and education of young children.