The Infant/Toddler Child Care Specialist technical certificate of credit program is a sequence of five courses designed to prepare students with the basics needed for working with infants and toddlers. The program provides an intense look at understanding and learning activities and proper care needed for infants and toddlers. Graduates have qualifications to be employed in early care and education settings including child care centers and Early Head Start.
Students are accepted into the Infant/Toddler Child Care Specialist certificate program every semester. A full-time student can complete this program in 2 semesters. To graduate, students must earn a minimum of 15 semester credit hours.
Employment Outlook
Career Traits/Requirements
Individuals wanting to enroll in the Infant/Toddler Child Care Specialist certificate program must be fond of children, dependable, reliable, flexible, patient, and positive.
Employment Opportunities
Graduates of the Infant/Toddler Child Care Specialist certificate program are prepared for employment in childcare centers, in Early Head Start, or in private settings. Instruction and practical application of learned skills provide a broad occupational background which appeals to prospective employers.
Program Costs
Tuition & Fees: $2,162.00
Books & Supplies: $530.00
Additional Fees
Heartsaver Pediatric First Aid CPR AED: $22.00
(Costs are estimated and are subject to change.)
HOPE Career Grant: The HOPE Career Grant, formerly known as the Strategic Industries Workforce Development Grant, is available to HOPE Grant-qualified students who enroll in select majors specifically aligned with one of 12 industries in which there are more jobs available in Georgia than there are skilled workers to fill them. To qualify, an OFTC student must be fully admitted to the college, enrolled in one of the approved programs and receiving the HOPE Grant for the same term. The amount of the HOPE Career Grant award is a fixed amount for each term of enrollment:
- 9 or more credit hours – $500/semester
- 3-8 credit hours – $250/semester
- 1-2 credit hours – $125/semester
- Commercial Truck Driving – $1,000 one time award
High School students in dual enrollment and joint enrollment are NOT eligible.
Admission Requirements
OFTC may accept a student’s official entrance score on the following validated assessment instruments if the scores meet the required minimums:
- COMPASS/ASSET,
- SAT,
- ACT,
- PSAT,
- PACT,
- Accuplacer/Accuplacer Next Generation/Companion,
- HOPE GPA after completion of 10th grade of 2.6 or higher, or High School GPA of 2.6 (for occupational programs), or 2.0 for Workforce Entry Level programs, or GED.
The College may accept transfer credit for other courses according to the College’s transfer policy.
Curriculum
Occupational Courses
| ECCE 1101 | Introduction to Early Childhood Care and Education | 3 | 45 |
| ECCE 1103 | Child Growth and Development | 3 | 45 |
| ECCE 1105 | Health, Safety and Nutrition | 3 | 60 |
| ECCE 2330 | Infant/Toddler Development | 3 | 45 |
| ECCE 2332 | Infant/Toddler Group Care and Curriculum | 3 | 45 |
Program Pathway
Year 1
Semester 1
| ECCE 1101 | Introduction to Early Childhood Care and Education | 3 | 45 |
| ECCE 1103 | Child Growth and Development | 3 | 45 |
| ECCE 1105 | Health, Safety and Nutrition | 3 | 60 |
Semester 2
| ECCE 2330 | Infant/Toddler Development | 3 | 45 |
| ECCE 2332 | Infant/Toddler Group Care and Curriculum | 3 | 45 |