Pacific Coast Trade School in Oxnard, California, introduces students to the childcare profession through six functional areas of child development. The program educates and trains students in positive guidance techniques, setting up a safe classroom for children and planning a schedule or curriculum. The school's goal, according to the PCTS website, is to create environments for children that fit individual needs and use affirmative guidance to develop constructive relationships with children to promote self-esteem and self-control.
Grand Rapids Community College in Grand Rapids, Michigan, has an Associate of Arts degree program in child development that educates and trains students in working with young children. GRCC offers a flexible, career-centered course format, including weekday, weekend and summer courses, and seven-week accelerated classes. Students in the program take foundation courses such as human growth and development, foundations of early childhood education or introduction to teaching. Students then take more child development-specific courses such as methods in preschool, adult-child interaction, children's literature and infant and toddler development.
Rasmussen College, with campuses in Minnesota, Illinois, Florida, Wisconsin and North Dakota, offers early childhood education degrees or certificates. The school teaches practices and techniques for behavior guidance and classroom management, such as planning a curriculum and maintaining a safe environment for toddlers.
Hesser College, with locations in southern New Hampshire, offers an early childhood education program that leads to an associate's degree. The curriculum focuses on teaching children how to play, think, work together and improve confidence. Aspiring teachers in the program also gain first-hand experience in teaching students how to read, write and do basic math. They also can observe and report on the children's progress to the parents and program directors.