Attend a college that will prepare you for direct entry into your field of choice. At COD, you'll discover:

• Dedicated instructors with years of professional experience.
• Instruction utilizing our state-of-the-art facilities.
• Courses specifically aligned with the requirements needed for you to receive a variety of Gateways Credentials, which are awarded and recognized by the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) Bureau of Child Care and Development as levels of professional achievement.
• Affordable classes to help you achieve success without creating overwhelming debt or draining your savings account.
• Small class sizes to ensure you receive personalized attention.

Watch a video to learn more about the Early Childhood Education and Care program.

Early Childhood Administration, A.A.S.

The Early Childhood Administration degree prepares students for employment in the management of early childhood and school-age programs. Students acquire the skills and knowledge to administrate programs serving infants, toddlers, preschool, and school-age children. This program includes the courses in the Administration of an Early Childhood Center certificate. Upon successful completion of this degree, students are eligible to apply for the Gateways Illinois Director’s Credential Level 1 and ECE Credential Level 2. This degree program requires a minimum of 64 credits in program requirements, program electives, and general education in the courses listed below.

Early Childhood Education and Care Administrator, Certificate

Completion of the Early Childhood Education and Care Administrator certificate, with either an AAS Degree in Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) or completion of 64 semester hours of credit from an accredited college or university. The certificate requires 23 credits in early childhood education to meet the academic requirements for Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (IDCFS) Director Qualifications effective July 1, 2017.

Early Childhood Education and Care Advanced, Certificate

Students pursuing the Early Childhood Education and Care Advanced Certificate will enhance the knowledge, skills, and experiences acquired in the Early Childhood Education and Care Certificate to more effectively work with children from birth to age eight. This advanced certificate meets the academic requirements to qualify students to be a lead teacher if the additional qualifications established by the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services are met. Students should consult their DCFS representative. Within this certificate, students will complete the required academic coursework to be eligible to apply for the Gateways Early Childhood Education Credential Level 3 through Gateways to Opportunity. This certificate requires a minimum of 36 credits in the courses listed below.

Early Childhood Education and Care, A.A.S.

The Early Childhood Education and Care program prepares students to enter the early childhood education field. Students acquire the skills, knowledge and dispositions to work effectively with infants, toddlers, preschool-age and school-age children. Jobs for degree and certificate graduates are widely available in child care centers, preschools, park districts and public schools. This degree program requires a minimum of 60 semester credits in the courses listed below and the coursework aligns to the Gateways to Opportunity Level 4 ECE Credential.

Early Childhood Education and Care, Certificate

Students who complete the Early Childhood Education and Care Certificate will be equipped with the knowledge, skills and experience necessary to be an assistant teacher in a variety of early childhood programs. Successful completion of this certificate meets the academic requirements of the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (IDCFS). Upon completion, students will be eligible to apply for the Gateways Early Childhood Education Credential Level 2 through Gateways to Opportunity. This certificate requires 18 credits in the courses listed below.

Family Child Care Provider, Certificate

Students choose the Family Child Care Provider certificate to gain specific knowledge and skills in this early childhood specialty. Students may have previously received an early childhood certificate or degree or may choose this certificate to begin their early childhood education. This certificate requires 15 credits in the courses listed below.

Infant, Toddler and Two-Year Old Child Care, Certificate

Students choose the Infant, Toddler and Two-Year Old Child Care certificate to gain specific knowledge and skills in this early childhood specialty. Students may have previously received an early childhood certificate or degree or may choose this certificate to begin their early childhood education. This certificate requires 12 credits in the courses listed below.

School-Age Child Care, Certificate

Students choose the School-Age Child Care certificate to gain specific knowledge and skills in this early childhood specialty. Students may have previously received an early childhood certificate or degree or may choose this certificate to begin their early childhood education. This certificate requires 16 credits in the courses listed below.

Early Childhood Education and Care Associate in Applied Science program graduates will:

• Create healthy, respectful, supportive and challenging learning environments for children birth through age 8 based on understanding of child development and individual characteristics and needs.
• Explain how to involve families and communities in young children’s learning based on an understanding of diverse characteristics and engaging them in respectful, reciprocal relationships.
• Examine the goals, benefits and uses of a variety of formal and informal developmentally appropriate assessment tools that could be used in a responsible way, in partnership with families and other professionals, to positively influence children’s development.
• Implement a variety of developmentally appropriate approaches, strategies, and tools to connect with children and families and positively influence children’s development and learning.
• Develop meaningful and challenging developmentally appropriate experiences in all content areas that promotes comprehensive developmental and learning outcomes for each child.
• Demonstrate the multiple roles of an early childhood professional including, but not limited to:  advocacy, adhering to professional code of conduct, professional dispositions, and reflective practice.
• Apply knowledge, skills and professional dispositions when observing and/or participating with young children in at least two of the three early childhood age groups (birth-3, 3-5, 5-8) and in a variety of childcare settings.

College of DuPage partners with several four-year institutions to help students seamlessly complete a bachelor’s degree in early childhood. Students can connect with Transfer Services for personalized guidance on transfer opportunities.

For more information about Transfer Pathways, visit the College of DuPage Catalog. The pathway outlines a typical two-year course plan for completing an AA or AS degree before transferring to a four-year program. Course requirements vary by institution, so consult your faculty or academic advisor for specific guidance.

Early Childhood Access Consortium for Equity (IL Public Act 102-0174)

As of July 28, 2021, the Early Childhood Access Consortium for Equity (ECACE) has established that the AAS in ECE, from an entitled Illinois community college, transfers in full to all Illinois state public universities and the private universities that are part of the ECACE.  *This is similar to a 2+2.

Students who successfully complete the full AAS in Early Childhood Education and the Level 4 Gateways Credential (all ECEC courses must be passed with a 'C' or better) and have an overall 2.0GPA or better on a 4.0 scale, will be granted junior level status in the university early childhood program upon transfer and will not be required to repeat courses or take additional credit hours beyond what is required of original baccalaureate students unless pursuing additional endorsements on the student's Professional Educator License (PEL).

All Illinois public universities, and some Illinois private universities, are held to the requirements of Public Act 102-0174.  A list of those universities that accept the full Associate in Applied Science in Early Childhood Education with the Level 4 Gateways Credential can be found through the Early Childhood Access Consortium For Equity

Do you enjoy working with children and adults? Do you have strong interpersonal skills as well as advanced verbal and written communication skills? Are you active, attentive, reliable, patient, organized, a good multi-tasker, a team player, and someone who considers themselves a lifelong learner? ECEC is a relationship-based field and requires daily interactions with children, their family members, and your colleagues. If this all sounds like you, then ECEC may be a good career choice to consider. We encourage you to also review the DCFS licensing standards for childcare centers, specifically Section 407.100, which outlines the general personnel requirements to work in a licensed childcare center.

ECEC courses require weekly reading and assignments that require research, reflection, and application of course content. Most ECEC courses also require weekly field observations outside of class time during the day. Students are responsible for finding and scheduling their own observations at a DCFS-licensed childcare center. Students may also have in class activities, lab experiences, partner and group work, presentations etc.

Yes. All students must have Reading Category 1 placement. Students are also highly encouraged to take English as Speech their first semester in addition to the Math placement test.  Students are required to meet with Christine Jandak to discuss prerequisites for specific ECEC courses.

No. ECEC is not an online program. Most courses are offered in the evening, with only a few available online. Students should plan to attend face-to-face courses in the evening or late afternoon to complete the program.

Yes! We highly recommend that all ECEC students seek employment at a DCFS-licensed childcare center. This experience will help you develop your skills and connect classroom learning to practice. Approximately 80 percent of the ECEC students are working in childcare as they are completing their coursework. 

The Associate in Applied Science (AAS) degree in ECEC is fully transferable to all in-state public universities, and a few private universities.  

Students may also choose to pursue an Associate in Arts (AA) degree with an ECEC certificate.

Students who intend to transfer should schedule an appointment with Christine Jandak prior to their first semester to ensure they are taking the correct courses for the university they intend to transfer to.

Yes! The COD ECEC program offers stackable certificates and Gateways Credentials. By completing the ECEC AAS degree, you can earn up to a Gateways Early Childhood Credential Level 4. Students may also earn the Early Childhood Director Credential Level 1 by completing the AAS degree in Early Childhood Administration.

If you have a current Child Development Associate (CDA) credential in either Infant/Toddler or Early Childhood, schedule an appointment with Christine Jandak, ECEC advisor, at (630) 942-2259. You must meet with her in person and log in to your CDA account to show your active credential. Once reviewed and approved, Christine will help you complete the paperwork to receive six elective semester credits for the ECEC program. Students may not receive credit for more than one valid CDA.

Begin by meeting with our ECEC program advisor, Christine Jandak. All students are required to meet with her. To schedule an appointment, please contact Advising Services at (630) 942-2259.