Workforce Development Resources
College Early Childhood Education (ECE) Programs
Tips for choosing where to take classes
- If you would like to receive college credit so you can transfer to a four-year college or apply it to the Child Development Permit Matrix, the school must be accredited by WASC (Western Association of Schools and Colleges). The college can tell you if it is accredited.
- Semester units and quarter units are not equal. It takes four quarter units to equal three semester units. Knowing this is important if you are transferring between colleges on different systems, or if you want to apply the units to your Child Development Permit.
- Check which colleges have the classes you need. It is easy, for example, to take classes at more than one of the community colleges (Skyline, College of San Mateo, Cañada) in San Mateo County.
- If financing your education is an issue, doing your first two years at a community college reduces college costs significantly.
Local Community Colleges
Phone numbers are for the Early Childhood Education Departments
Local Four-Year Colleges
- California State University, East Bay (formerly Hayward State University): www.csuhayward.edu; Department of Teacher Education, 510-885-3027.
- National Hispanic University (San José): www.nhu.edu; Teacher Education, 408-273-2738.
- Notre Dame de Namur University (Belmont): www.ndnu.edu; School of Education, 650-508-3701.
- Pacific Oaks College (Oakland): www.pacificoaks.edu; 510-622-8133
- San Francisco State University (SFSU): www.sfsu.edu; Child and Adolescent Development, 415-405-3564.
- San Jose State University: www.sjsu.edu; College of Education, 408-924-3600
- University Center at Cañada College (Redwood City): Bachelor of Arts in Child and Adolescent Development from San Francisco State University. Classes meet at Cañada College. www.canadacollege.edu; 650-306-3372.
Financing Your Professional Development
- 4Cs’ SaMCARES Program provides stipends to child care professionals who remain in the field and advance their education. To find out if you are eligible, call 650-655-6770 x 317.
- Many of the non-credit classes and workshops are inexpensive or free.
- Visit with your colleges’ financial aid office and ask about resources.
- If you work in a school or program, ask about professional development funds. They may be able to assist with tuition or textbook costs, or offer flexible scheduling.
Continuing Education Opportunities
If you are taking courses to continue building your knowledge and skills and to learn new ideas, and do not plan to apply the courses to a college degree or your Child Development Permit, the program does not need to be accredited.
Note that when you see trainings offering “Continuing Education Units,” or CEUs, these units apply to health and mental health professionals. Early childhood professionals do not receive CEUs.
Resources at San Mateo 4Cs
- 4Cs Resource Library and Early Learning Resource Center: Educators are invited to check out books and supplies from our lending library and to take advantage of the die-cut machine, laminator, puppet lending library and workshops.
Call 650-655-5042/650-655-5068.
- Accreditation Project: 4Cs has a support group to help you through the accreditation process. Call 650-655-5030.
- Association meetings: 4Cs is pleased to host several professional associations’ meetings. These meetings offer workshops and the chance to network with other professionals. See the newsletter calendar for meeting information.
- Child Care Initiative Project (CCIP): If you are thinking of entering the child care field, or new to the field, 4Cs counselors will talk you through the process and connect you with free or low-cost training opportunities.
Call 650-655-5025.
- SaMCARES: Eligible child care professionals who take classes and stay in the child care field receive stipends to help fund their educations. Call 650-655-5030, or visit 4Cs’ web site for information.
- SmartKids: Expanding or opening a child care home or center is a real investment. SmartKids provides grants, business planning assistance and technical assistance to help grow our supply of child care. Call 650-655-5043, or visit 4Cs’ web site.
- The United Way Career Counseling Project: Free, individualized counseling on your career goals, how to reach them and how to balance work and life! Make an appointment with
Jade: 650-655-5046, email jadegvh@sanmateo4Cs.org.
- Year-round trainings: 4Cs offers a busy calendar of classes and workshops, including health and safety trainings, an introductory series to becoming a child care provider, U.C. Davis classes, workshops on running your business, workshops on caring for children with special needs, early literacy classes and more! Visit www.sanmateo4cs.org for more information.
Local resources for workshops and trainings
- Asociación hispana de proveedores del Condado de San Mateo: 650-359-4675, or 650-588-1227.
- Jefferson Adult Education Division: www.juhsd.k12.ca.us/aed; 650-550-7890.
- KQED Ready to Learn: www.kqed.org/ednet; 1-800-723-ELMO.
- San Mateo Adult School: www.smace.org; 650-558-2100.
- San Mateo County Family Child Care Association: www.smcfcca.org, 650-364-4454.
- San Mateo County Office of Education – Early Childhood Language Development Institute: 650-802-5326.
- Sequoia Adult School (Redwood City): www.adultschool.seq.edu; 650-306-8866.
- South San Francisco Adult School: www.smcoe.k12.ca.us/ssfusd/as; 650-877-8844.
Accreditation Information
- NAEYC (National Association for the Education of Young Children): Information on accreditation, policy issues, resources and more, visit www.naeyc.org.
- NAFCC (National Association of Family Child Care): www.nafcc.org
- A tip for online research: Just because something is online, does not mean it is accurate. Licensing regulations and academic policies vary from city to city, and school to school. Ask questions and evaluate the source!
(Note: This is not a comprehensive list of all resources available for professional development. For more information, please contact 4C's at (650) 655-6770.
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