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Harper College

Infant/Toddler Teacher Assistant

Give our youngest your very best

Program factsEducation icon


  • Credit hours: 15
  • Stackable to degree: Yes
  • Potential job outcomes: Infant/toddler teacher assistant

Begin your career as an educator with the 15-credit-hour Infant/Toddler Teacher Assistant program. This certificate provides you with foundational training in infant/toddler care and education.

You’ll take courses focused on areas such as child development; infant/toddler programs; principles of early childhood curriculum; and health, nutrition and safety. Additionally, you’ll get hands-on experience working with children at the Harper College Early Childhood Laboratory School, an on-site preschool, where you’ll train under the guidance of certified education professionals.

Credit earned for this certificate can be applied to the Early Childhood Education A.A.S. Degree at Harper College.

Certificate program requirements

This 15 credit-hour certificate program will qualify students for the Illinois Infant Toddler Credential - Level 2. Students will need to complete an IL Gateways application. This certificate will provide an assistant teacher in a licensed child care facility with basic knowledge in infant/toddler care and education.

Program Requirements

Number Course Title Credits
Required
ECE 1013

Description: Provides an overview of early childhood care and education, including the basic values, structure, organization and programming. Examination of the student's personal qualities in relationship to expectations of the field. Directed observation in a variety of programs and settings. Six (6) hours of observation required. (NOTE: The program's health requirements must be completed prior to observation.)

Lecture Hours: 3

Lab Hours: N/A

Contact Hours: 3

Class Schedule: Spring 2025 | Summer 2025 | Fall 2025

ECE 1023

Description: Provides a study of human development from conception through adolescence. Includes research methods and developmental theories. Addresses all major areas of development (physical, social, emotional and cognitive, language and aesthetic) and the interaction among these areas. Also examines current research and major developmental theoretical points of view, including those of Piaget, Erikson, Vygotsky, Skinner, Gardner and others. Explores child development in the context of gender, family, culture, socio-economics, race, ethnicity, religion and society. Emphasis is on the implication of early childhood professional practice. IAI ECE 912

Lecture Hours: 3

Lab Hours: N/A

Contact Hours: 3

Class Schedule: Spring 2025 | Summer 2025 | Fall 2025

ECE 1113

Description: Examines the theories and research (including early intervention) related to infants and toddlers with a focus on methods of care given in home-based and school-based infant programs. Five (5) hours of observation of infants/toddlers and related programs are required.

Lecture Hours: 3

Lab Hours: N/A

Contact Hours: 3

Class Schedule: Spring 2025 | Summer 2025 | Fall 2025

ECE 1153

Description: Provides an overview of principles involved in planning, implementing and evaluating developmentally appropriate curriculum. Includes lesson plans, emerging curriculum, scheduling, room arrangement, materials and equipment; individual, small and large group activities; short and long term goals; and teacher's roles and responsibilities in curriculum development. Three (3) hours of observation required. Prerequisite: Prior or concurrent enrollment in ECE 102 with a grade of C or better.

Lecture Hours: 3

Lab Hours: N/A

Contact Hours: 3

Class Schedule: Spring 2025 | Summer 2025 | Fall 2025

ECE 2503

Description: Focuses on personal health of the individual, including nutrition and health and safety issues, with emphasis on meeting health needs for children in group settings. A healthy lifestyle, preventive health and community health are examined. One (1) hour of observation is required.

Lecture Hours: 3

Lab Hours: N/A

Contact Hours: 3

Class Schedule: Spring 2025 | Summer 2025 | Fall 2025

Total Hours15

Related programs

Students interested in early childhood education may also be interested in:

Next steps

For more information about infant/toddler aide courses at Harper, contact Admission Outreach at 847.925.6700, or submit a request information form. You can also apply online.

Please note: This program is not financial aid eligible.

Last Updated: 4/3/25