Infant and Toddler

About the Infant and Toddler Program

Embark on a rich path of growth and professional development in our Early Childhood Education Infant & Toddler program. Infant and toddler professionals work in early childhood education centers, child development facilities, and family child care homes.

Early childhood professionals support children’s ability to:

Learn
Be self-confident and have high self-esteem
Have positive social skills
Develop a sense of empathy

Santa Monica College’s Early Childhood Education Infant & Toddler specialization is a rewarding pathway full of discovery, where you will impact very young children as a caregiver and teacher during the critical first 3 years of life. You will develop and foster emotionally nourishing relationships with young children, which lay the foundation for infant and toddler brain development, lifelong health, and well-being.

Our early childhood curriculum is centered on caregiving routines that support children’s social, emotional, cognitive, language, and physical development. We connect theory to practice, providing experiential opportunities including site observations, mentoring, tutoring, and more to teach you how to serve the unique needs of children, families, and communities.

The SMC Infant & Toddler career path prepares you to work with young children 0-36 months and their families in public and private settings. You will develop the skills needed to create respectful and responsive relationships that support, empower, and involve families in their children’s learning and development.

Transfer Preparation

Many colleges and universities offer baccalaureate degrees in this field. Students planning to transfer to a four-year college or university need to know which courses completed at Santa Monica College will be accepted at the specific college/university. Please consult a Counselor. SMC has transfer articulation agreements with the many UC and CSU campuses, as well as many private and out-of-state institutions.

Degrees and Certificates

Associate in Science Degree - Infant/Toddler Teacher

30 units + General Education

Certificate of Achievement - Infant/Toddler Teacher

30 units

This program prepares students to work with infants/toddlers (0-36 months), enabling the student to assist a teacher in a public infant/toddler program or teach infants/toddlers in a private child care setting. In addition, students will develop skills to create respectful, reciprocal relationships that support, empower, and involve families in their children's learning and development. Early Childhood Education professionals adhere to the guidelines as well as the Professional Code of Ethics of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) providing developmentally appropriate learning opportunities for the enhancement of the physical, intellectual, social, emotional, and creative domains of young children.

Program Map View Requirements