Early Childhood Gateways

Two Levels of Early Childhood Gateways Certificates

Choose which certificate works best for your path!

Level 2 | Level 3

Level 2 Certificate

This certificate is the entry point to earning credentials from the Illinois Gateways Entitled program to meet statewide standards in early childhood education. Completed in 30 weeks, this program introduces students to the care and education of children who have not yet entered kindergarten.

group of people having a snack

Career Opportunities

  • Nanny
  • EC Aide
  • Licensed Day Care Provider
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Suggested Pathway for Early Childhood Gateways – Level 2 Certificate
Do not use this degree plan as a substitute for an advisor. Always meet with an advisor to discuss your specific needs for completing the program before signing up for classes each semester.
ECE 102 Foundations of Early Childhood Education Details 3
An introduction to early childhood education philosophies and methods. Students are introduced to the fundamentals of planning developmentally appropriate interactions and techniques. Topics of study include age-appropriate methodology, guiding in today’s changing world.
Prerequisites: (none)
ECE 124 Health & Safety for Young Children Details 3
Introduction to the health, safety, and nutritional needs of young children. Topics include eating habits, menu planning, safe food storage and handling, recognizing common health concerns, creating a safe environment, and principles of child first aid and CPR for infants and children.
Prerequisites: (none)
ECE 104 Child Growth and Development Details 3
A foundation course in theory and principles of the developmental continuum, including an in-depth study of physical, social/emotional, cognitive, language, and aesthetic development; an examination of current research and major developmental theories; an exploration of child development within a socio-cultural context, such as gender, family, race, ethnicity, language, ability, socio-economics, religion, and society; an emphasis on the implications for early childhood professional practice. IAI: ECE 912
Prerequisites: (none)
ECE 135 Guidance of the Young Child Details 3
This course will examine research and theory related to social and emotional development in young children. Students will explore teaching methods with an emphasis on positive guidance, family engagement, cultural competence and designing appropriate environments. This course requires three 1½ hour observations at a licensed childcare center or kindergarten classroom.
Prerequisites: (none)
ECE 171 Child, Family and Community Details 3
This course focuses on the diverse needs of the child within the context of family, school, and community. The course will examine the interplay of diverse cultures, lifestyles, abilities, language, and communication with the role of the early childhood environment and other community institutions. Students will gain an understanding of their professional role in supporting evidence-based practices that strengthen respectful, collaborative family/child partnerships through effective use of community and family resources. IAI: ECE 915
Prerequisites: (none)
FYE 101 Blazing Your Trail Details 1
Directed to new students, this course provides a supportive transition to the culture of higher education. Course objectives aim at preparing students for the college experience by acquiring effective learning techniques and by becoming aware of available college resources for academic and personal growth. This course also develops students' abilities, which will assist them with the complexities of college life.
Prerequisites: (none)
NOTE: Only students who do not need additional coursework and who take the number of credits or courses as listed each semester can complete the program in the time given. Others will take longer to complete. Course descriptions may contain IAI (Illinois Articulation Initiative) codes containing information for students transferring their credits to another Illinois higher learning institution. See itransfer.org or the JWCC course catalog for more information on IAI.

Gainful Employment: For more information about graduation rates, cost, the median debt of students who complete the program, and other information, please view our Gainful Employment information for the particular certificate of study.

Level 3 Certificate

Building on the Level 2 certificate, this program is completed in 45 weeks. Students expand on the fundamentals of caring for children, including organizing activities and providing a consistent, nurturing environment for development. Individuals with level 2 or 3 training serve as Early Head Start teachers, Head start teacher assistants, Early/Head Start home visitors, and supervised Licensed Child Care Center assistant teachers.

Career Opportunities

  • Teacher
  • Nanny
  • EC Aide
  • Licensed Day Care Provider
Children participating in face painting
Suggested Pathway for Early Childhood Gateways – Level 3 Certificate
Do not use this degree plan as a substitute for an advisor. Always meet with an advisor to discuss your specific needs for completing the program before signing up for classes each semester.
First Semester Details
ECE 102 Foundations of Early Childhood Education Details 3
An introduction to early childhood education philosophies and methods. Students are introduced to the fundamentals of planning developmentally appropriate interactions and techniques. Topics of study include age-appropriate methodology, guiding in today’s changing world.
Prerequisites: (none)
ECE 124 Health & Safety for Young Children Details 3
Introduction to the health, safety, and nutritional needs of young children. Topics include eating habits, menu planning, safe food storage and handling, recognizing common health concerns, creating a safe environment, and principles of child first aid and CPR for infants and children.
Prerequisites: (none)
ECE 104 Child Growth and Development Details 3
A foundation course in theory and principles of the developmental continuum, including an in-depth study of physical, social/emotional, cognitive, language, and aesthetic development; an examination of current research and major developmental theories; an exploration of child development within a socio-cultural context, such as gender, family, race, ethnicity, language, ability, socio-economics, religion, and society; an emphasis on the implications for early childhood professional practice. IAI: ECE 912
Prerequisites: (none)
ECE 135 Guidance of the Young Child Details 3
This course will examine research and theory related to social and emotional development in young children. Students will explore teaching methods with an emphasis on positive guidance, family engagement, cultural competence and designing appropriate environments. This course requires three 1½ hour observations at a licensed childcare center or kindergarten classroom.
Prerequisites: (none)
ECE 171 Child, Family and Community Details 3
This course focuses on the diverse needs of the child within the context of family, school, and community. The course will examine the interplay of diverse cultures, lifestyles, abilities, language, and communication with the role of the early childhood environment and other community institutions. Students will gain an understanding of their professional role in supporting evidence-based practices that strengthen respectful, collaborative family/child partnerships through effective use of community and family resources. IAI: ECE 915
Prerequisites: (none)
FYE 101 Blazing Your Trail Details 1
Directed to new students, this course provides a supportive transition to the culture of higher education. Course objectives aim at preparing students for the college experience by acquiring effective learning techniques and by becoming aware of available college resources for academic and personal growth. This course also develops students' abilities, which will assist them with the complexities of college life.
Prerequisites: (none)
Second Semester Details
ECE 215 Observation & Assessment in EC Details 3
Students will learn the methods of authentic, alternative classroom-based assessment with young children. Opportunity given to gain knowledge and skills to observe, interpret and use information to respond to and support children’s learning and development. Typical and atypical children will be studied and evaluated. Child observation is required.
Prerequisites: EDU 102 or EDU 202 or consent of department
ECE 260 Curriculum for Early Childhood Programs Details 3
Philosophy, principles, and methods for planning and implementing an educationally and developmentally age-appropriate program for young children from infancy through eight years of age. Students will develop effective approaches to promote learning and assessment, family and community relationships, and creative interdisciplinary environments.
Prerequisites: EDU 102 or EDU 202 or consent of department
Various General Education Courses – Early Childhood Level 3 Certificate Details 9
Per Gateways to Opportunity requirements, 9 semester hours of general education coursework must also be completed for the Level 3 certificate. These are must be credit bearing. The courses listed below are recommended; however, any 9 credit hours of general education electives will be accepted.
CMN 101 Introduction to Speech I Details 3
An introduction to the basic principles of oral communication as applied to public speaking. The course emphasizes the mastery of oral communication skills through a variety of exercises in which the student speaks before the group. Involves analysis of such topics as preparation, organization, and delivery. IAI: C2 900.
Prerequisites: (none)
PSY 201 Educational Psychology Details 3
A study of the application of the principles of psychology to the field of education and a review of educational research in the areas of motivation, intelligence, measurement, evaluation, the learning process, learning styles, and the impact of culture in education. Observational experiences may be included.
Prerequisites: PSY 101
ENG 101 Rhetoric and Composition I Details 3
An introductory course in writing at the college level with attention to skills needed at each stage of the writing process. Placement in ENG 101 presupposes competence in English grammar, mechanics, punctuation, and spelling. IAI: C1 900.
Prerequisites: ENG 099 with a grade of "C" or above or appropriate placement score
PSY 101 Introduction to Psychology Details 3
Basic introduction to the major areas of psychology--the study of behavior and the mind. Areas of emphasis include human development, personality theory, learning, thinking, stress and motivation, mental illnesses, and biological and social aspects of behavior. Course will combine research with real life application throughout. IAI: S6 900.
Prerequisites: (none)
SOC 224 Marriage and the Family Details 3
The social context of marriage and family patterns in the current American society; nature, purpose and obligations of marriage and family. IAI: S7 902.
Prerequisites: (none)
NOTE: Only students who do not need additional coursework and who take the number of credits or courses as listed each semester can complete the program in the time given. Others will take longer to complete. Course descriptions may contain IAI (Illinois Articulation Initiative) codes containing information for students transferring their credits to another Illinois higher learning institution. See itransfer.org or the JWCC course catalog for more information on IAI.

Gainful Employment: For more information about graduation rates, cost, the median debt of students who complete the program, and other information, please view our Gainful Employment information for the particular certificate of study.