Early Childhood Education for Teaching Transitional Kindergarten

The Early Childhood Education for Transitional Kindergarten (TK) Teachers Certificate of Achievement is specifically designed to meet the needs of students interested in becoming TK teachers, current TK teachers, as well as multiple subject credential holders who require the Early Childhood unit requirement to become a TK teacher or teach K-3. This certificate provides students with a foundation in child development, including the application of child developmental theory to current best practices in the classroom, building authentic, trusting relationships with children, working effectively with diverse student populations, and designing developmentally appropriate and culturally responsive curriculum for young children. This certificate offers hands-on learning experiences working with young children in the Cabrillo College Children's Center and Lab School. 

Upon completion, students will be prepared to enter the workforce in careers such as classroom teacher in elementary, transitional kindergarten (TK), kindergarten, special education, teaching assistant, resource specialist, after school educator, and paraeducator.

A total of twenty students are expected to enroll with potential for annual growth. Completion rates of the Certificate of Achievement are expected to be five to ten per year with a potential for annual growth.

Cabrillo College is seeking approval from the Chancellor’s Office for the new Early Childhood Education for Teaching Transitional Kindergarten Certificate of Achievement in Career Education. The Early Childhood Education for Teaching Transitional Kindergarten Certificate of Achievement is designed to prepare students to take advantage of rich employment opportunities in the field of Transitional Kindergarten (TK) teaching as well prepare multiple subject credential holders who require the Early Childhood unit requirement to be a Transitional Kindergarten teacher. 

The need for workers in the diverse field of Transitional Kindergarten has been advocated for by local businesses in the Early Childhood Education program’s advisory board, the County Office of Education, and supported by current, regional labor market research (TOP 1305.00). 

The Early Childhood Education for Teaching Transitional Kindergarten Certificate of Achievement is aligned with Cabrillo’s mission, master plan, and statewide community college work in Guided Pathways. Approval of this program will benefit regional employers, fulfill the workforce needs of the local community, augment college enrollment, and support non-traditional and underserved minority students in a viable career and academic path. This program would give our students the knowledge and skills they need to move onwards to a two year degree, a four-year institution, or excel in the workforce.

Based on the data included in this report, there is a large labor market gap in the Bay region with 2,976 annual openings for the ECE Transitional Kindergarten occupational cluster and 2,471 annual (3-year average) awards for an annual undersupply of 505 students. In the SC-Monterey Sub-Region, there is also a gap with 422 annual openings and 194 annual (3-year average) awards for an annual undersupply of 228 students.

The goal for students is to increase their skillset working with young children under 6, to become gainfully employed, to continue to the workplace, to continue to an A.S. degree, or to transfer to a four-year institution. Working with employers to identify earning potential is promising, with potential for a starting salary of $25,000-$47,000/yr in jobs such as a classroom teacher in elementary, transitional kindergarten (TK), kindergarten, special education, teaching assistant, resource specialist, after school educators, and paraeducators. 

It is critical to give community college students educational and professional experience that is necessary to be successful when they continue to higher degrees or certificates.

This certificate meets the needs of transitional kindergarten teachers who are required to have 24 units of child development or early childhood education in addition to their bachelor’s degree and multiple subjects teaching credential (ED Code 48000). In-depth study of the learning and developmental needs of children ages 3-6, the California Preschool Frameworks and Foundations, exploration of various classroom management and observation and assessment techniques are addressed. The content, resources, and methodology are relevant as professional development for any California Child Development Permit holder, preschool, transitional kindergarten, or kindergarten teacher.

The Early Childhood Education for Teaching Transitional Kindergarten Certificate provides a course of study that satisfies multiple requirements and content needs including the core licensing requirements required by the California Department of Social Services, Community Care Licensing and Department of Education/Commission on Teacher Credentialing, Child Development Permit. Students interested in working as a classroom teacher in ECE, transitional kindergarten (TK), children’s center teacher, home-based early childhood educator and/or specialist in state-funded programs, or public or private settings will develop the foundational knowledge of how children learn and grow and what they need for optimal development. 

The certificate is designed to prepare students to work in the fast growing Transitional Kindergarten field, whether they are increasing their skillset, entering the workforce directly upon certificate completion, or continuing their studies toward a degree at Cabrillo or a transfer institution. It is critical to give community college students educational and professional experience that is necessary to be successful when they enter the workforce or transfer to earn a degree or certificate in other Transitional Kindergarten Early Childhood Education professions.

Students who complete this program will be able to:

• Plan individualized, and differentiated instruction based on reflective practice, observations and developmental needs of children ages 3-6.
• Apply their understanding of the California Preschool Foundations and Frameworks to plan integrated curriculum.
• Evaluate culturally and linguistically responsive practices that include the families of the children in the 

The Early Childhood Education for Teaching Transitional Kindergarten Certificate of Achievement is a 25.5-unit program focused on preparing students to work in Transitional Kindergarten classroom settings. All coursework is housed in the Early Childhood Education department.

Course	Title	Units	Year/Semester (Y1 or S1)
ECE31	Child Growth and Development	3.00	Y1
ECE32	Child, Family, and Community	3.00	Y2
ECE34	Observation and Assessment Methods...	3.00	Y1
ECE51	Principles of Working with Young Children	3.00	Y2
ECE52	Teaching in a Diverse Society	3.00	Y2
ECE53	Introduction to Curriculum for the Young Child	3.00	Y1
ECE53L	Curriculum Materials Lab	.50	Y1
ECE54	Early Childhood Education Practicum	4.00	Y2
ECE146	The Child with Special Needs in the Child Care Program	3.00	Y2

The Early Childhood Education program shares learning goals with the Education Program, Social Studies, Ethnic Studies, Human Services, and the ESL programs. These goals include principles of communication, literacy, cultural competency, and the goal of working with diverse populations to ensure students’ success in both their academic goals and professional careers.  ECE has collaborated with the Education Program to design the ECE for Transitional Kindergarten Certificate of Achievement. ECE actively participates within the HASS division and coordinates and plans across programs.  ECE continues to work with the ESL program to support its Dual Language

Hartnell and MPC have Early Childhood Education programs for several years, but both colleges report that our program would not negatively affect their respective programs. Contacted for approval: Clint Cowden, Dean of Career Technical Education Hartnell College Office 831.755.6960  ccowden@hartnell.edu Judy Cutting, Dean of Instruction, Career Education & Workforce Development Monterey Peninsula College Office: 831-646-4039 jcutting@mpc.edu