Courses offered through the program are designed to teach students the required skills and techniques, to provide students with the knowledge of regulations required of early childhood care providers and to develop career employment skills. There are a number of avenues available to the students, which require education and or work experience, to become a certified child care worker. The Director certification requires 1820 hours of work experience when coupled with the appropriate course work in the ECP Associate degree program. A portion of this work experience requirement is met with the program lab course work. One method of adding to the students work experience is through elective Cooperative Education classes.
Travel expenses associated with the work experience are the responsibility of the student.
Students may exit the program at their desired certification level. To enable a non-duplicative educational continuum, students will be awarded credit for prior learning according to Colorado Community College and Occupational Educational Systems guidelines. Laboratory classes will enable the student to gain experience working with professionals at the Child Care Center and Colorado Preschool Program located near the Valley Campus. Associate of Applied Science degree programs are designed especially for students who wish to complete a program of career courses, as well as for those who may wish to enroll in a specific mix of career and traditional transfer courses. While the Early Childhood Professional program at TSJC is designed primarily for students who wish to begin their careers after two years of study, options for transferring may be available.