Love working with children and want to learn practical techniques for supporting their development? This Child Care Worker course, offered by our accredited school partners, prepares learners for their role as educators of young children by combining foundational knowledge with practical strategies for today’s early childhood settings.
Module 1: Historical Foundations of Early Care and Education
Evolution of early childhood education
Major educational movements and reform milestones
Development of public early learning programs
Module 2: Quality Standards in Early Childhood Programs
National and state quality frameworks
Developmentally appropriate practice
Assessment, accountability, and program evaluation
Module 3: Child Growth and Development
Principles of child development
Physical, cognitive, affective, social, and moral development
Understanding developmental domains in early childhood
Module 4: Contemporary Curriculum Approaches
Curriculum design for young children
Major early childhood curriculum models
Pedagogy and learning environment alignment
Module 5: Play as a Foundation for Learning
Role and importance of play
Theoretical perspectives on play
Types of play and educator support strategies
Module 6: Learning Theories and Teaching Strategies
Major learning theories in early childhood education
Intentional, teacher‑centered, and learner‑centered strategies
Applying theory to classroom practice
Module 7: Designing Effective Learning Environments
Physical, interpersonal, and temporal environments
Regulatory requirements and quality rating systems
Accreditation and environmental assessment tools
Module 8: Family and Community Engagement
Family systems and child development
Partnerships with families and communities
Communication, collaboration, and support strategies
Module 9: Issues and Advocacy in Early Childhood Education
Contemporary social and cultural issues
Technology, health, and nutrition considerations
Advocacy for children, families, and the profession
Module 10: Careers and Professionalism in Early Childhood Education
Professional roles and career pathways
Ethics, dispositions, and workforce diversity
Building a professional identity in early childhood education
By the end of this course, the learner will be able to:
Recognize historical influences on early childhood education, along with assessment methods and evaluation practices used to ensure program quality
Identify foundational early childhood developmental domains and ways to support learning and play across developmental stages
List key learning theories, teaching strategies, and curriculum approaches used in early childhood classrooms
Recall how to create effective learning environments while building strong connections with families and communities
Recognize current issues in early childhood education, advocate for young children, and explore diverse career opportunities in the field
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be prepared to sit for the NCCB’s Certified Child Care Worker (CCCW) exam. The Certified Child Care Worker (CCCW) exam prepares individuals for a career as a Child Care Worker.
This class is an independent-study course. Learners will have all the resources needed to successfully complete the course within the online material. A student helpdesk is available for technical support during the course enrollment.