Early Childhood Education State Short Certificate: Family Child Care

This 20-credit certificate introduces the unique aspects of providing early learning in a home setting. It combines the basics of child development and health/safety with an overview of Family Child Care management. You will learn the fundamentals of state licensing standards, record-keeping, and working with mixed-age groups. This certificate meets state licensing requirements for a variety of positions and stacks directly into the AAS degree.

Visit the Education Department Website

Program Requirements

ECED& 120 - Early Childhood Practicum
requires clearance using the Portable Background Check required by the Division of Children Youth and Families and managed by Merit.

Some courses require off-campus field experiences, including program observations, site visits, service learning, practicums, or field trips. Students are responsible for arranging their own transportation.

Program Core Courses

Total Program Credits: 20

Program Outcomes

Apply foundational theories of child development to support learning in a multi-age home environment
Identify the licensing, operational, and relationship-building strategies specific to a family child care home.
Synthesize the core competencies of the State Early Childhood Initial Certificate.

Program Notes

Not all classes are offered every quarter. Talk to a faculty adviser.
You have to earn a grade of 2.0 in each required class to apply it to a certificate or degree
Education coursework older than 5 years may not apply. General education credits will be accepted regardless of age.

Internal Coding

Last Updated	Summer 2026
Description	ECE Fam Child Care State C20
Academic Plan	ECEFCC20
CIP Code	13.121