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The Santiago Canyon College Child Development program is designed for individuals interested in preschool child development or early elementary education. The program offers specialized courses designed for working with infants, toddlers, and school-age children as well as courses for individuals who have a degree but seek to meet state certification requirements in early childhood education.

Students receive specialized training in the physical, emotional, social, and psychological care of infants, toddlers, and school-age children. They learn the job responsibilities of professionals; identify suitable employment situations and career opportunities. Students have the opportunity to apply classroom learning in field-based coursework in an actual child development center. Upon completion of the certificate program, students can work in child-care agencies, day-care, pre-school programs, public and private schools, before and after school programs, or private homes. Students gain skills in working with diverse children through both classroom work and supervised practicum experiences.

Students can apply the credits earned in this Program towards a certificate, degree, and permit. A permit is required for teachers in Children's Centers and Compensatory Education Preschool Programs which are wholly or partially financed by state funds. Certificates and degrees are awarded by Santiago Canyon College and Permits are issued by the State of California upon application.

Because this program supports a variety of Child Development career options, interested individuals are advised to review the Child Development Permit Matrix and to speak with a college counselor or a Child Development Program instructor prior to starting the program.