Good teachers and childcare providers don’t just happen! Whether you want to become a director of a child care program, operate your own licensed family care home, or be a preschool teacher, TCC’s nationally accredited program prepares you to offer the highest possible standard of care and education to serve children and their families. Each child development program is interactive with a focus on research-proven educational methods. You’ll learn how to engage children and enhance their educational experiences with fun and creative approaches.

TCC’s associate degree also prepares students planning to transfer to partner four-year institutions to earn a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education (PreK-3) with a teaching license.

Career Pathways

  • Step: 1: 12 Credits Career Studies Certificate - Child Development

  • Step 2: 16 Credits: Career Studies Certificate (CDA Equivalent)

  • Step 3: 31 Credits: Certificate Early Childhood Instruction

  • Step 4: 62 Credits: Associate of Applied Science - Early Childhood Development

Start Earning your Career Studies Certificate

Classes will take place on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6-8:50 p.m. at the HIVE located at 140 Independence Blvd, Suite 100 in Virginia Beach. The fall 2024 session runs in two sessions from Aug. 26-Oct. 14 then Oct. 22-Dec. 13. Registration is open! Scholarships are available through the Virginia Child Care Provider Scholarship Program .

TCC Career Studies Certificate

The Child Development Career Studies Certificate (Program Code: 221-636-04) provides students with the entry-level knowledge required to work with children. These core courses also meet the requirements for students to begin their Child Development Associate (CDA) credentialing processes. 

The schedule is as follows:

  • CHD 120 – Introduction to Early Childhood Education (fall 2024: Aug. 26-Oct. 14).
  • CHD 205 – Guiding Behavior of Children (fall 2024: Oct. 22-Dec. 13).
  • CHD 145 – Teaching Art, Music, and Movement to Children (spring 2025: Jan. 13-March 3).
  • HLT – Child Health and Nutrition (summer 2025: Mar 17-May 2). Students will be eligible to participate in the May 2025 commencement ceremony.

Registration

Register today with these simple steps:

  1. Apply to be a student at Tidewater Community College. Enrollment is free. Be sure to save your student ID!
  2. APPLY NOW for the Virginia Child Care Provider Scholarship. You must apply to this program first if you are interested in pursuing additional scholarship opportunities. Scholarships are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.
  3. Register for the class: Contact Katherine Alvarado at kalvarado@tcc.edu for the class permission code. Filter class search by: Fall 2024 term, Tidewater Community College, and Subject.
  4. For additional assistance, you can apply for the Project Pathfinders scholarship. Scholarship opportunities are available. This program can be awarded concurrently with the Virginia Child Care Provider Scholarship.

For assistance with enrollment and scholarship applications, please contact Jeanne Tardiff or call 757-541-2427 for more information.