Early Childhood Education Infant and Toddler

Overview

River Valley’s Infant and Toddler Certificate is designed to provide students with knowledge and skills in this specialized area of early childhood education.  Key topics of study will include: relationships with families, safe and developmentally appropriate environments, promotion of optimal child outcomes, observation & documentation, inclusion, and diversity.

Why RVCC?

Building and expanding a strong infant and toddler workforce is a priority for New Hampshire, and across the nation.  The Infant and Toddler Certificate qualifies a student to apply for an infant and toddler endorsement on an early childhood
credential certificate awarded by the New Hampshire Bureau of Child Development
and Head Start Collaboration.

Students already employed in the field at an early care & education center licensed by the NH Child Care Licensing Unit may be eligible for scholarships through the Early Childhood Tuition Assistance (ECTA) Program.  For more information, please go to: www.ccsnh.edu/ece.

Career Options

• Child care centers
• Head Start programs
• Laboratory schools
• Parent cooperatives

Related Degrees

• Early Childhood Education Degree
• Early Childhood Education Level 1 Certificate
• Early Childhood Education Level 2 Certificate
• Social Services Degree
• Social Services Certificate

The Early Childhood Education Program shares in the mission of River Valley Community College to prepare individuals to enter into the workforce, to advance in their chosen career as early childhood professionals and educators, and to prepare for continued study, including academic transfer.  This program is also committed to preparing students to value the importance of and to participate professionally in quality early childhood settings and their communities.

We recognize and respect that students in the Early Childhood Education Program have varied career goals, both short-term and long-range.  We work to meet these varied student needs.

We believe that the overall design of the early childhood curriculum should reflect current interdisciplinary knowledge about the preparation of early childhood professionals.  We strive to provide a strong foundation for our students by utilizing the standards for early childhood professional preparation at the associate degree level as outlined by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).  We believe in and support the Code of Ethics as established by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).

Program Goals

RVCC’s Infant & Toddler Certificate introduces students to theoretical perspectives, current research, and evidence-based practices.  Materials from national professional organizations, such as Zero To Three and the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), and from state and regional initiatives, such as the Pyramid Model and Trauma-Informed and Resilience-Focused Practices, are all encompassed in the program.

Program Outcomes

Graduates of the Infant and Toddler Certificate will:

• Engage in warm and positive interactions and build strong relationships with infants and toddlers and their families and with colleagues;
• Use their knowledge of birth to age 3 years development to plan and maintain environments that are safe, healthy, and developmentally appropriate for infants and toddlers;
• Select appropriate equipment and materials and utilize developmentally appropriate approaches to support optimal outcomes for infants and toddlers;
• Use systematic observation and documentation to enhance their work with infants and toddlers and their families; and
• Be prepared to work effectively with the birth to age 3 years range and be able to meet the individual needs of every child, including those with developmental delays or disabilities and those from culturally or linguistically diverse families.

The Early Childhood Education Level I Certificate, Level II Certificate, Infant & Toddler Certificate and Associate Degree are all open enrollment programs. This means we accept students once they are accepted to River Valley; no additional program-specific requirements are necessary. At RVCC, we believe all students should be able to complete a certificate or degree and be able to transfer or start their career as smoothly as possible.

Important Notes: 

• All applicants should carefully review the ECE Program’s Technical Standards prior to matriculation.
• All applicants should also read the full Criminal Background Check Policy in the Admissions section of RVCC Catalog and the Student Handbook.
• Applicants seeking admission to the Early Childhood Education Program who believe they may have difficulty with a state registry and criminal records check are advised to contact the New Hampshire Bureau of Child Care Licensing (1-800-852-3345) prior to matriculation.

If you have any questions about the Early Childhood Education programs of study, the please do not hesitate to request information or reach out to the ECE Program Director Kerry Belknap Morris at [email protected] or 603-542-7744, extension 5411.