Award-Winning Program
De Anza's Child Development and Education program has been recognized by the state Chancellor's "Workforce Stars" initiative for strong performance on a key indicator:- Students in the program found jobs in their field 94% of the time
Careers in Child Development and Education
Child development professionals work directly with children as preschool teachers, teacher assistants, home care providers and early childhood mental health specialists.
Studying child development can also provide a foundation for a wide range of other careers – from pediatric nursing or child psychology to children’s librarian, playground designer, family court advocate or parent educator.
Child development professionals should enjoy working with children and be patient, enthusiastic and able to communicate effectively. Salaries can be higher for employees with college credits, certificates or degrees in this subject. Many positions require state licenses or permits, so it’s important to investigate the requirements for the position you want to pursue.
Employment Outlook: 2020-2030
- The number of jobs for child care workers is expected to increase by 3%, with more than 76,800 job openings during the 10-year period
- Jobs for child care administrators are expected to increase 17%
These ten-year projections for California employment are calculated by the state Employment Development Department, which collects data about the state's workforce and economic trends.
Programs at De Anza
The Child Development and Education Department offers certificates and degree programs that are aligned with the requirements of employers and licensing agencies.
Instructors have both practical experience and scholarly expertise in a wide range of specialized areas.
The department also works closely with De Anza's Child Development Center. The center is a laboratory school that provides year-round child care for more than 100 children and their parents from the campus and surrounding community.