Purpose:
This curriculum is designed to prepare individuals to work with young children in safe and healthy environments that are supportive of children’s individual physical, cognitive and social-emotional development. The program also meets the requirements for the Virginia Early Childhood Development Certificate (VECD), which has been approved by the national office of Head Start to meet credentialing requirements. Students wishing to earn the VECD certificate are required to take CHD 167: Resource File, as well as complete additional components and documentation as required by VA DSS. Occupational opportunities include employment as assistant teachers, teachers, group leaders or family child care providers in programs for young children.
1 Students who will use this credential to satisfy national Head Start requirements will enroll in CHD 167 to prepare a portfolio to submit to VA DSS for evaluation. Students not using this program in that way may choose any other 3 credit general education or program-specific course which will help meet requirements for the Early Childhood Development certificate and ultimately the AAS degree.