Early Education and Childcare Courses

3 Programs Available

A Variety of Jobs in the Educational Field Are Waiting for You

Get the skills and knowledge you need to begin or advance your career in childcare education. Make an impact inside and outside the classroom by pursuing an Education & Training trade school program from Broward Technical Colleges.

Child Care Center Operations

Program Length: 45 hours – online

This program is an approved DCF (Department of Children and Families) course for the Florida Director Credential – Level 1, which is a requirement for all Child Care Center Owners and/or Directors.

Sheridan Technical College »

Early Childhood Education

Program Length: 600 hours/approx. 6 months- full time

Included are the following major areas of training: child growth and development; health; safety; nutrition; behavior guidance techniques; child abuse and neglect; rules and regulations governing child care; community and environmental issues; language development and emergent literacy; lesson and program planning; implementation of developmentally appropriate practices for children birth through age eight; inclusion of children with special needs; interpersonal relations; communication; balancing family, school and work; employability skills; labor issues; entrepreneurship; and management and finance. Early Childhood Education is a Florida Department of Education Early Childhood Professional Certificate (ECPC) program.

McFatter Technical College »
Sheridan Technical College »

Principles of Teaching

Program Length: 600 hours/approx. 6 months full time

The course content includes responsibilities and tasks of a Teacher Assistant, lesson planning and implementation, classroom management techniques, rules, regulations and standard procedures within the Broward County School System and review of the Broward County mandated Para Pro assessment

McFatter Technical College »

Early Education and Childcare FAQs

What is DCF training?

The Child Care Center Operations program at Sheridan Technical College is an approved Department of Children and Families (DCF) course and is included on the State of Florida’s approved “Overview of Child Care Management” course list for earning a Florida Director’s Credential. Florida Legislature mandates, in the Child Care Licensing Standards, that directors of licensed child care facilities have a Director’s Credential.

What can you do with an early childhood education certificate?

The Early Childhood Education/Early Childhood Professional Certification (ECPC) Program prepares students for employment within the industry as early childhood educators, lead preschool teachers, VPK teachers, before-care/after-care workers and supervisors, child development specialists, directors/owners, and family day care home operators.

What grades are included in early childhood education?

Preschool, VPK, before-care/after-care, child development specialists, directors/owners, and family day care home operators.

What are the training requirements for a childcare facility?

A child care educator must begin training within the first 90 days of employment in the field by starting a Part I or Part II course, taking a competency exam, or earning an educational exemption. All personnel must compete 40 hours of required training one year from the date their training began.