Eastfield College Center for Child and Family Studies

You can make a difference in the lives of children!

Child Development and Teacher Preparation trains you for one of a cluster of occupations that focus on educational services for children and their parents. Professionals work as teachers, directors, teaching assistants, family child care providers, family advocates, parent educators, child specialists and caseworkers.

Locations for professionals:

Childcare Centers
Head Start Programs
Public Schools
Human Service agencies
Hospitals

The Eastfield Program

The Child Development/Teacher Preparation department at Eastfield College provides knowledge in the fields of education and child development. Courses offered are based on specific competencies that have been identified by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, Texas Education Agency, employers and the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). Students learn through hands-on activities and observation in the college classroom, the Eastfield lab school, public schools and child care facilities. Associate degrees require successful completion of all parts of the Texas Success Initiative (TSI) Program as measured by a TSI approved exam.

Career Paths

The department offers several choices for students. A Child Development student may start by preparing for a nationally awarded Child Development Associate Credential, move on to earn one of five specialized certificates and then apply completed courses toward an Associate of Applied Sciences degree in Child
Development. A student seeking a State of Texas teaching certificate may earn an Associate of Arts in Teaching (AAT) before moving on to a university to complete their training to earn an bachelor's degree.