Program: 68010

The Preschool Certificate Program provides college-level coursework in child development, the preschool curriculum, the classroom environment, adult-child interaction, parent relationships, and other areas of child development associated with preschool children. The curriculum provides a study of the skills and information necessary for students to design a developmentally appropriate environment and curriculum for preschool children. Program courses may be applied toward the Child Care Management Certificate and the AS in Early Childhood Education and Management degree program.

This program includes the coursework required for the state-approved Florida Child Care Professional Credential (FCCPC) with the completion of CHD 1380 Facilitating Development, CHD 2320 Early Childhood Curriculum, CHD 2220 Child Growth and Development, and CHD 1440 Early Learning Practicum. Students completing the Preschool Certificate Program have their records submitted by the Polk State College Early Childhood Education Program to the Department of Children and Families (DCF) to receive the FCCPC. Those students who receive the DCF-issued FCCPC are qualified to seek employment in a variety of Early Childhood job opportunities, including voluntary pre-kindergarten instruction.