Frequently Asked Questions
1. Do I need a degree or certificate to work in the field of early childhood?
Private and Public Funded programs: California State Law (Title 22) requires that anyone working with children
under the age of five years old must have a minimum of 12 units of Child Development. Included in these units
are: Child Growth & Development (CD 1), Home, School & Community Relations (CD 11),
Early Childhood Principles and Practices (CD 2), and Curriculum (CD 3 or 4).
Public Funded Programs: California State Law (Title 5) requires that anyone working in a publicly funded
early childhood program must hold a Child Development Permit. The Child Development Permit is required for
early childhood teachers. The Permit is not issued at Pierce College, it issued through the California Department
of Education, Commission on Teacher Credentialing. However, all of the courses you need to complete the requirements
for a CD Permit are available at Pierce College.
2. What is the difference between the Child Development Certificates offered at Pierce and the
Child Development Permit?
Certificates: Pierce College offers several CD Certificates. Certificates document that a student has completed a particular
program of study. The Occupational Certificates award the student with a “Certificate of Completion.” These include
Teacher (30-32 units) and Associate Teacher (24-25 units). Students can also receive a “Certificate of Achievement”
(12 and 15 units) which include Preschool Teacher, Preschool Director, Infant Care Teacher, School Age Teacher,
Preschool Teacher: Special Needs. Private preschools do not require certificates; however, they do require Child
Development units (see question #1). Certificates are a good way to enhance a resume by showing academic and
professional progress and dedication.
Child Development Permit: Teachers and Aides must hold a Child Development Permit to be eligible for teaching or
administration positions funded by California Department of Education, Child Development Division (Title 5).
Title 5 programs include public preschools such as LAUSD, Head Start, LAUP, and State preschool programs.
Please refer to the Child Development Permit Matrix for more information
3. Once I have completed the courses needed for a certificate, where do I apply for a certificate?
You must complete the required courses with a grade of “C” or better. To apply for a certificate, please go to the
Pierce College Graduation Office located next to Admissions and Records to pick up an application.
4. Can I apply for the Child Development Permit at Pierce?
No. The Child Development Permit is available through the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CCTC)
at: www.ctc.ca.gov/credentialinfo/topics/child_dev.html Permit applications and reimbursement for application
processing fees are available through the Child Development Training Consortium (CDTC).
Please go to the CDTC website for more information: www.childdevelopment.org
5. What Child Development classes should I take? Do I need to take CD 1 before CD 2, 3 or 4?
Students should begin by taking the core classes in Child Development which are CD 1, CD 3 & 4 and CD11.
Currently there are no prerequisites required for the core CD classes; however, it is recommended that you take
CD 1before taking the other CD classes offered.
6. If I take 12 units in Child Development, will this guarantee me a job in the field?
Private preschools may hire you with only 12 units in CD; however, most directors hire the applicant with the most
units and experience. It is recommended that you contact a prospective employer and ask for their individual
employment requirements. There are many schools that only hire applicants with an A.A. or B.A. degree.
The more education and experience you have, the more desirable you will be in a competitive job market.
Public Preschools, such as Head Start and LAUSD can only hire Teachers with at least 60 units (an A.A. degree)
plus a Child Development Permit and Teacher’s Assistants with 12 CD units plus a Child Development Permit.
For more information on employment requirements for LAUSD go to: www.lausd.k12.ca.us/lausd/offices/cdd/
7. I want to take fieldwork, CD 22 and 23, what are the prerequisites?
For CD 22 you must complete CD 1, CD 2, CD 3, and CD 4 with a grade of “C” or better before you will be allowed
to enroll. There is no concurrent enrollment available. For CD 23 you must complete all of the above plus CD 22 with
a grade of “C” or better. You may not enroll in CD 22 and CD 23 during the same semester; CD 22 and CD 23 are
not available during the summer.
8. I wanted to take the fieldwork course CD 81 and CD 82 but I no longer see them listed in the catalog. What do I take?
All students interested in fieldwork enroll in CD 22 and CD 23.
9. Do I need a job working in a preschool to take fieldwork CD 22 or CD 23?
No. You do not need to be employed in the field to take fieldwork. If you are not employed, your instructor will place
you in a fieldwork site. You will work in a volunteer position 2 days a week for 3 hours per day. To complete fieldwork,
you must be available two days per week, preferably between the hours of 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Be sure to keep this in
mind when scheduling other classes.
Students working in the field: You must be employed in a licensed or license-exempt preschool or childcare program
15 to 20 hours per week. Most licensed programs working with children 0 – 5 years old will qualify for fieldwork.
If you are employed in an elementary school working with children grade 1 or higher, your job will NOT qualify for fieldwork;
only preschool, before school or after school child care, and Kindergarten employment qualify for fieldwork. The fieldwork
instructor will let you know if your job site qualifies. If your job site does not qualify, you will need to volunteer in a program
as designated by the instructor.
10. I am transferring from another college, how do I find out which Child Development courses Pierce will
accept from my previous college?
The Graduation Office at Pierce will review your transcripts for transfer credit. They will need to see your official transcripts
along with course descriptions from your previous college.
11. I want to open my own family child care. What do I need?
The Department of Social Services Child Care Licensing Division www.ccld.ca.gov requires 15 hours of health training in CPR,
First Aid and prevention of infectious diseases (you can complete this training in CD 10). Please contact the CCLD for
more information.
12. I want to open my own private preschool. What do I need?
The Department of Social Services Child Care Licensing Division www.ccld.ca.gov requires the 12 core units of Child Development
and an Administration course (CD 38 or CD 39). Experience working in an ECE program is also required. The Department of Social
Services will also require you to attend an orientation meeting that reviews all licensing requirements and provider’s instructions on
how to complete the licensing application. Please contact the CCLD for more information.
13. I want to get an elementary teaching credential, should I take classes in Child Development?
Taking CD classes and majoring in Child Development is highly recommended for teachers. Understanding child growth and
development is a good career choice for any prospective teacher. The Plan A - Associate in Arts Degree transfer program is a
good beginning for the elementary teaching credential. You should consult with your counselor as soon as possible to meet the
particular requirements of the four year college or university you wish to transfer.
14. Once I complete a program of study, will it be hard for me to get a job?
There are many new opportunities in the field of Child Development. The new Universal Preschool movement in Los Angeles
www.laup.net will create more than 10,000 new teaching jobs in Los Angeles County over the next 10 years. To work in a
Universal Preschool program, you will need to hold a Child Development Permit (see questions # 1, 2, and 4).
15. I have been told that if I work in a preschool I will only make $8.00 an hour. Is this true?
Private preschools pay their staff based on parent fees and therefore they cannot offer high pay; however, most private preschools
start Teachers somewhere around $10.00/hour. This rate may be higher or lower depending upon the school. Your pay will also
be determined by your educational background and experience working with children.
Public Preschools: Enclosed in your packet is a copy of the LAUSD Early Childhood Education Division teaching requirements
and current salary scale. This information is also available on the web at: www.lausd.k12.ca.us/lausd/offices/cdd/
LAUSD Early Childhood Aides start employment at approximately $10 - $11.00/hour, ECE Teachers who have an A.A. degree
in Child Development start employment at approximately $35,000/year, and ECE Teachers with a B.A. degree plus the Child
Development Permit begin employment at approximately $41,000/year. This pay may be higher based on work experience and
additional education.
16. I want to get a special education credential, is that the same as your Special Needs certificate?
No. The Special Needs certificate is intended for preschool teachers who want to broaden their understanding of special needs.
Many special needs trainees, assistants and paraprofessionals from the school district work toward this certificate; however, this
certificate is not a credential.