Certificate of Achievement in Infant and Toddler Foundations

The Infant and Toddler Foundations Certificate is a one-year program designed to prepare students for entry-level employment working with infants and toddlers in early care and education settings, including licensed child care centers and family child care homes. 

The program provides students with the knowledge and skills necessary to support the development and well-being of children from birth to 3 years through responsive, relationship-based, and culturally inclusive practices.

Students completing the program will demonstrate the ability to apply knowledge of infant and toddler development across physical, social-emotional, language, and cognitive domains; design and maintain safe, nurturing, and developmentally appropriate environments; and implement inclusive practices that support diverse children and families. Students will also demonstrate professional and ethical competencies by adhering to licensing regulations (Title 22) and utilizing observation and assessment to inform early care and education practices.

Coursework emphasizes mindful infant and toddler care, respectful caregiving philosophies, family engagement, and the design of environments and experiences informed by current research on brain development, language acquisition, and early intervention. Students develop practical skills in communication, observation, and responsive caregiving within diverse early care contexts.

There are no formal prerequisites for this program; however, students are expected to possess basic reading, writing, and communication skills to successfully complete coursework and participate in field-related activities.

Completion of this certificate prepares students for entry-level positions such as infant and toddler caregiver, infant and toddler educator, early childhood assistant and infant and toddler childcare provider. Students should be aware that employment opportunities in this field may be competitive and may offer relatively low wages. Advancement may require additional coursework, experience, and/or attainment of higher-level child development permits or degrees.

This certificate may also serve as a foundation for continued education in child development or related fields such as early interventionists, parent educators/coaches, lactation specialists, and child life. 

Approximately 140-200 students will complete the Infant and Toddler Foundations Certificate of Achievement annually. 

The Infant and Toddler Foundations Certificate of Achievement provides a Career Technical Education (CTE) pathway that prepares students for entry-level employment working with infants and toddlers in early childhood education settings. 

This program offers accessible, workforce-focused education that supports student success, career development, and the needs of diverse communities. Students who complete the certificate will develop core competencies required for occupations such as infant/toddler caregiver, early childhood assistant, childcare provider, and support staff in infant and toddler programs for children from birth to 3 years, including licensed child care centers and family child care homes. 

The coursework provides foundational knowledge of infant and toddler development, prepares students to implement responsive, relationship-based caregiving practices, ensures understanding of licensing regulations, and supports the application of inclusive, culturally responsive approaches when working with diverse children and families.

Program Goals and Objectives:

1. Develop knowledge of infant and toddler development to implement responsive, culturally sustaining, and developmentally appropriate caregiving practices in professional settings.
   
   

2. Design and evaluate safe, nurturing learning environments that support inclusion, diversity, and the holistic development of infants and toddlers.
   
   

3. Examine professional and ethical competencies by adhering to Title 22 licensing regulations and applying systematic observation and assessment to inform practice and support individual development.

This certificate supports both immediate workforce entry and continued educational advancement within the field of child development.

The Infant and Toddler Foundations Certificate of Achievement provides an accessible, equity-focused Career Technical Education (CTE) pathway that supports student success, workforce development, and economic mobility for a diverse student population. This one-year program prepares students with industry-relevant knowledge and skills needed to work with children from birth to three years of age in early care and education settings. Through a combination of foundational coursework and applied learning, students develop competencies that prepare them to become productive members of the workforce while supporting the college’s commitment to meeting regional workforce needs.

The program complements existing child development offerings by establishing a focused pathway in infant and toddler development. In doing so, it strengthens the overall sequence of child development coursework and expands opportunities for students seeking specialized preparation to work with infants and toddlers in early care and education environments.

The certificate prepares students for entry-level roles such as infant and toddler caregiver, infant and toddler childcare provider, infant and toddler educator, and early childhood assistant in licensed child care centers and family child care homes. These positions provide important entry points into the early childhood workforce; however, students should be aware that wages at the entry level may be modest and that career advancement may require additional education, professional experience, and/or attainment of higher-level permits or degrees.

By addressing a documented workforce need, the program contributes to the development of a qualified pipeline of early care professionals and responds to community and employer demand for skilled caregivers. The Infant and Toddler Foundations Certificate of Achievement provides a clear and accessible pathway into the workforce while also supporting continued education and career advancement within the field of child development and early childhood education.

Course Sequence

Los Angeles Harbor College currently offers a comprehensive Child Development program, including an Early Childhood Education Associate of Science for Transfer (AS-T) and stackable certificates in areas such as Special Needs and Neurodiversity and related specializations. The proposed Infant and Toddler Foundations Certificate complements these offerings by providing a lower-unit, accessible pathway focused specifically on infants and toddlers (birth to 3 years). It emphasizes core competencies such as relationship-based caregiving, mindful and respectful care routines, family collaboration, and health and safety practices, preparing students for immediate entry into the workforce while supporting continued educational advancement.

Several colleges within the Los Angeles region offer related programs with an infant and toddler focus, although these are typically embedded within broader Child Development or Early Childhood Education (ECE) pathways or designed to meet permit-level requirements:

East Los Angeles College (ELAC) offers a Skills Certificate: Infant/Toddler Emphasis within Child, Family and Education Studies.

Los Angeles City College (LACC) offers a Certificate of Achievement in Infant and Toddler Studies within Health, Child, and Family Sciences.

Los Angeles Mission College (LAMC) offers a Child Development Certificate specializing in Infant and Toddler.

Los Angeles Southwest College (LASC) offers a Skill Certificate in Infant and Toddler Studies within Child Development.

Los Angeles Valley College (LAVC) offers an Infant and Toddler Care Teacher certificate aligned with permit preparation.

West Los Angeles College (WLAC) offers coursework and certification in Infant and Toddler Studies within Human Development and Family Studies.

Los Angeles Trade-Technical College (LATTC) offers an Infant and Toddler Teacher pathway within Child Development.

Long Beach City College (LBCC) offers an Infant and Toddler Certificate of Accomplishment as part of its Child Development permit specialization.

While similar programs exist, the proposed certificate at Los Angeles Harbor College is distinct in its lower unit requirement and focused design, allowing for a more accessible pathway into the workforce. 

In addition, the program is uniquely grounded in a play-based, Reggio-inspired approach that emphasizes inquiry, exploration, and the whole child. This approach is not explicitly integrated within comparable programs in the region and further differentiates the program and appeals to students seeking innovative, relationship-centered practices in infant and toddler care and education.

Enrollment Data

Not Applicable