Child Development

The Child Development Program is designed to prepare students for an exciting career with children. We help prepare students for employment in a variety of childcare facilities, public schools, private childcare settings, family childcare settings and Head Start and Early Head Start Classrooms. It also provides those already working with young children an opportunity to upgrade skills and competencies.

While in the program, students will gain a historical perspective of childcare and an understanding of the theoretical foundations of early childhood growth and development which fosters an appreciation for the importance of quality care and education of young children. Specific coursework introduces students to the health and safety concerns of working with young children, appropriate methods and materials for use at various ages, the value and challenges of working with diverse families, the unique situations facing children with exceptional needs, and the rewards associated with the administration of a childcare center or program.

Students learn how to design and manage childcare settings that meet the developmental needs, interests, and abilities of young children while providing a safe and healthy environment. Students will develop a broad base of child development knowledge, which will prepare them to plan developmentally appropriate experiences for children from birth through early childhood. Students may enter the program with no childcare experience or work toward a degree or certificate while working with young children.

Child Development courses are required for employment in Alabama First Class Pre-K Programs for both Lead and Auxiliary Teachers.

Our program includes opportunities for students to earn an Associate in Applied Science Degree in Child Development, a Certificate in Child Development, and a Short-Term Certificate in Child Development. Please visit the links below for additional detailed information for all options available:

• Child-Development-AAS.pdf (snead.edu)
• Child-Development-certificate-for-website.pdf (snead.edu)
• Child-Development-STC-for-website.pdf (snead.edu)

The Applied Associate Degree Pathway in Child Development is accepted by most four-year institutions for transfer credit for continuing in the field of child development or Family and Consumer Science programs. An Associate degree in Early Childhood Education that transfers to Athens State University is a hybrid of the child development/early childhood education program that prepares students for a career in either child development or early childhood education. Earn your degree completely online or choose on-campus classes to fit your schedule.

Careers in the Early Childhood field have an earning potential of $22,338 for teaching assistants, $42, 000-54,000 for preschool directors, or a base starting salary of $45,000 for Pre-K or Kindergarten Teachers. Please visit the U.S. Department of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook for more information about a career in this field: Teacher Assistants: Occupational Outlook Handbook: : U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (bls.gov) or Early Childhood Education (alabama.gov)

Snead State offers scholarships for Child Development majors, and financial aid is available to eligible students. Other scholarships include the Leadership in Child Care Scholarship and the TEACH scholarship for those employed in childcare facilities.