California Community Colleges
Early Childhood Education Programs
Early childhood education programs at community colleges in this state. Coursework for child-care, preschool, and elementary-track teachers.
44 colleges · 899 sections · 343 unique courses · Fall 2026 · Updated today
California community colleges train the people who staff licensed daycare centers, preschools, Head Start programs, and pre-K classrooms across the state. The 899 sections at 44 California CCs institutions this term cover child development, early-literacy methods, classroom management for ages 0–5, family engagement, and the supervised practicum hours required for the state's child-care or T-K teaching credentials.
Most California ECE associate programs are designed for working students — evening and weekend sections are standard — because the typical student is already employed at a child-care center and using the degree to move into a lead-teacher or assistant-director role. Pay is modest but the work is stable and the credentialing pathway is clearer than almost any other field.
Colleges offering Early Childhood Education
Pick a college to see its full plan — every required course, which ones transfer to the school you want, and what’s open now.
Early Childhood Education is a transfer program — community colleges offer the coursework; you earn the degree, and its earnings, at a four-year university. See where it transfers →
Early Childhood Education Availability Snapshot
How early childhood education sections are being offered across 44 colleges in California this term (899 sections total).
Delivery format
- online411 (46%)
- in person328 (36%)
- hybrid106 (12%)
- zoom54 (6%)
When sections meet
- Morning (before noon)138
- Afternoon (noon–5 PM)63
- Evening (5 PM and after)170
- Asynchronous / TBA528
Start dates
Sections begin on 45 distinct dates. 255 late-start more than two weeks after the term's earliest start.
Instructor diversity
Taught by 319 distinct instructors across 44 colleges.
Degree requirements by college
Expand a college to see the courses required for graduation. Data sourced from each college's official catalog.
College of the Desert4 programs
Cuyamaca College2 programs
Foothill College2 programs
Fullerton College5 programs
Grossmont College4 programs
Hartnell College1 program
Major Electives
6 creditsSee catalog for course list
Source: College catalog
Long Beach City College11 programs
Mt San Antonio College10 programs
Pasadena City College13 programs
San Bernardino Valley College11 programs
San Joaquin Delta College6 programs
San Jose City College7 programs
Common Early Childhood Education courses
- ECE 312Child Development(22 sections)
- ECE 1Prin & Pract of Tching Yng Chl(22 sections)
- ECE 2Child Grth and Dev(20 sections)
- ECE 21Child/Adolescent Development(18 sections)
- ECE 300Introduction to Principles and Practices in Early Childhood Education(17 sections)
- ECE 314The Child, the Family and the Community(14 sections)
- CD 170Practicum: Infants & Toddlers(14 sections)
- ECE 9Observation/Assessmt in ECE(13 sections)
- ECE 17Introduction to Curriculum(13 sections)
- ECE 31Child Growth and Dev(12 sections)
- CD M02Human Dev: Infancy/Adolescence(11 sections)
- ECE 3Intro to Curriculum(10 sections)
Career outlook for Early Childhood Education graduates
Federal Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data for the primary career outcome of this program (2024 OEWS release). Compare California’s typical pay to the national picture before choosing where to study.
Wage data reflects all workers in the occupation, not just recent CC graduates — entry-level pay is typically lower. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS.
Frequently asked questions
- Do I need a degree to work at a daycare in California?
- Requirements vary by role and facility type. Assistant teacher roles at licensed centers typically need a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential — a one-year certificate. Lead teacher in a public pre-K classroom usually requires an associate or bachelor's. Family child-care homes have lower minimums but the higher-paying jobs all require the AAS in early childhood.
- Can I transfer this credit to a teaching bachelor's?
- Usually yes for the general-education portion (English, math, US history) and the foundational child-development courses. Methods-and-practicum credits often need to be re-taken at the four-year level because state teacher-certification programs require specific supervised hours at their own partner schools. Compare colleges' transfer agreements below.
- What's the typical salary for an early-childhood teacher in California?
- Preschool teachers in California earn roughly the state's living wage — lower than public-school K–12 teachers but higher than minimum-wage daycare assistant roles. Head Start lead teachers earn more than private-center teachers thanks to federal funding. Many graduates stack on the CDA, AAS, and eventually a B.A. to keep climbing the pay scale.
- How long does the ECE associate take?
- Two years full-time, including the supervised practicum semester. Many programs are offered fully part-time and online (except for the practicum hours), letting working assistants complete it in 3–4 years while continuing to work.
Compare Early Childhood Education programs in other states
Same comparison view, different state systems. Useful if you’re considering an out-of-state community college or just want to see how California’s early childhood education programs stack up.
Other programs in California
Some programs may not be offered at every college — pages render only when the program meets a coverage threshold for the state.