Transitional Kindergarten Certificate

This certificate will support new and existing teachers to achieve their 24 units of ECE necessary for the Transitional Kindergarten (TK) classroom in the public and private school systems.  Students will examine and apply current research on Early Childhood brain development and best practices for curriculum and educating children under the age of 8 years, as well as public school system requirements and curriculum, and state legislation.

The new Early Childhood Specialist (PK-3) credential, requires 24 Child Development / Early childhood units to earn the credential.  

In the first 2 years (2023-2024, and 2024-2025) the new Transitional Kindergarten course (CH DEV 58) has been offered, enrollment in the course has been 18 (2023-2024) and 32 (2024, 2025), with an 84% success rate.  It is anticipated this will increase with a clear pathway for a certificate and units aligned with the public school system requirements, and State legislation.

The first is to fill the gap in existing public and private educational settings, in which state legislation requires 24 units of Early Childhood coursework to teach the newly created TK (Transitional Kindergarten) grade level.  Teachers with multiple subject teaching credentials often only have 3-6 units in ECE.  

The second objective is to create a clear pathway for new students to access this job market.  Students will exit with the units necessary to be assistants in the workforce, and are poised to enter BA and credential programs with units necessary to assume the TK teaching role upon completion of a BA degree.

1.  The students will assess indoor and outdoor environments for ECE and transitional kindergarten programs based on developmental needs of the children, and the community needs
2. The students will design and implement curriculum that integrate play based learning, California Preschool Transitional Kindergarten Learning Foundations (PTKLFs) Developmentally Appropriate Practices and approved observation and assessments.
3. The students will analyze and demonstrate appropriate positive guidance techniques based on brain research and the developmental needs of the child and demonstrate the ability to access referral processes when needed.
4. The students will examine the role of the transitional kindergarten teacher as it relates to meeting the needs of the children, parents, colleagues and the private and public educational system.

 Outcomes:

1. Assemble a collection of community and state resources to support the TK teacher 

2. Design a learning environment that meets the needs of a group of children in a Transitional Kindergarten program. (environment assignment)

3. Prepare a curriculum unit reflecting play-based learning that aligns with the California PT and Frameworks as well as the Kindergarten Common C

Transitional Kindergarten is part of the stackable certificates.  The Child Development CORE classes;

CH DEV 1, and CH DEV 7, and CH DEV 11

With the core extra

CH DEV 2, and CH DEV 42

Plus the program specialized course

CH DEV 58

CH DEV 45

And 3 elective units from the following list:

CH DEV 9,27,28 (One unit courses)

CH DEV 34, CH DEV 48, CH DEV 46, CH DEV 65 (2 unit)

Child Development Department, CTE

None currently, however Los Angeles Southwest college is applying for a certificate 

Enrollment in the specialty course, CH DEV 58, Transitional Kindergarten is 32 for 2024-2025.

It is anticipated these students would complete a 24 unit certificate to be eligible for the workforce.

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