Child Development Program

Mario Wright

Program Coordinator

The mission of the Child Development Program is to develop dedicated, knowledgeable, self-reflective and culturally sensitive Early Childhood professionals who have the skills and motivation to serve children and families of our communities.

OLIVE-HARVEY COLLEGE MISSION                      

The mission of Olive-Harvey College is to develop a diverse community of cultural and civic leaders and to advance progressive global citizenship through academic excellence, work-based learning, and comprehensive support services.                    

CHILD DEVELOPMENT MISSION                                   

To develop dedicated, knowledgeable, self-reflective and culturally sensitive Early Childhood professionals who have the skills and motivated to serve children and families of our communities.

PROGRAM OVERVIEW                                

The A.A.S. Child Development: Pre School Education program is a two-year Associate of Applied Science degree that focuses on the study of children from birth through age eight, by focusing on their physical, intellectual and emotional development. 

The overarching goals of the program are to: 

  • Instill the principles of NAEYC’s Professional Standards and Competencies for Early Childhood Educators into each candidate 

  • Provide candidates with a thorough foundation in early childhood development and education 

  • Prepare students for a career in Early Childhood Education through experiential learning opportunities, classroom instruction, and field experiences. 

  • Successfully graduate candidates with an A.A.S. degree in Child Development: Pre School Education 

  • Support students with obtaining careers and professional growth opportunities in the field of Early Childhood Education 

  • Provide opportunities for students to learn about transfer options and to support students with the transfer process to four-year institutions 

PROGRAM ACCREDITATION STATEMENT

The A.A.S. Child Development: Pre School Education degree program at Olive-Harvey College is accredited by the Commission on the Accreditation of Early Childhood Higher Education Program of the National Association for the Education of Young Children. The current accreditation term runs from March 2019-March 2026. 

PROGRAM GOALS

The goal of the A.A.S. Child Development: Pre School Education degree program is to prepare students to work in a variety of child care settings, including preschools. The program provides child development theory and skills for the student who intends to work immediately in a pre-school program as a teacher or teacher assistant in public and private preschools, child care centers, or nursery schools as well as prepare students to work as teacher aides and activities supervisors.          

CANDIDATE LEARNING OBJECTIVES & PERFORMANCE

The student learning objectives for the A.A.S. Child Development: Pre School Education degree program are the Professional Standards and Competencies for Early Childhood Educators.

Program Objectives and Candidate Performance Data

PROGRAM OUTCOME DATA (historical) 

Program Completers -  the number and percentage of program completers for the three most recent academic years

Academic Year

Number of program completers

% of program completers who were attending full-time (at the time of completion)

% of program completers who were attending part-time
(at the time of completion)

AY24
2023-2024 

7 

57%  

43%  

AY23
2022-2023 

3 

67% 

33% 

AY22
2021-2022

4

50%

50%

 

Program Completion Rate (2 years) - the percentage of full-time candidates completing the program within the program’s published timeframe​

Academic year in which a Fall cohort of full-time candidates enrolled in the program (select three sequential years)

Percentage of those candidates who completed the program within 150% of the published timeframe

Percentage of those candidates who completed the program within 200% of the published ​timeframe

Fall 2020 

100.0% (n=1 of 1) 

100.0% (n=1 of 1) 

Fall 2019 

0.0% (n=0 of 2) 

0.0% (n=0 of 2) 

Fall 2018 

31.2% (n=5 of 16) 

37.5% (n=6 of 16) 

 

Fall-to-Fall Retention Rate - the fall-to-fall retention rate in the program for each of the three most recently completed academic years

   

Academic Year

% of Part-Time Candidates   Enrolled in the Program (% of Total Enrollment)

Retention Rate among Part-Time Candidates

% of Full-Time Candidates Enrolled in the Program (% of Total Enrollment)

Retention Rate among Full-Time Candidates

Fall 2023 
AY24 2023-2024 

69.0% (n=29) 

17.2% (n=5) 

31.0% (n=13) 

23.0% (n=3) 

Fall 2022 
AY23 2022-2023 

86.9% (n=20) 

50.0% (n=10) 

13% (n=3) 

33.3% (n=1) 

Fall 2021
AY22 2021-2022 

86.9% (n=20) 

50.0% (n=10) 

13% (n=3) 

33.3% (n=1) 

 

Degree and Certificate Requirements

Gateways to Opportunity* affiliated

*Gateways to Opportunity Credentials are symbols of professional achievement that validate knowledge and skills, experience, and contributions in early care and education, infants and toddlers, and/or administration.​​​​​​​​​​​                        

All of the degrees and certificates in the Child Development Program are aligned with the Illinois Credential System through Gateways to Opportunity.  These credentials are recognized by the Illinois Department of Human Services and the Department of Children and Family Services.  Licensed child care centers and homes seek professionals who have earned credentials through the Gateways System.  For more information about the credentials, visit: https://www.ilgateways.com/credentials​​​ ​​​​

Faculty and Staff

Mario Wright – Faculty, Program Coordinator | 773-291-6372 | mwright13@ccc.edu

Edwina Tolbert – Faculty | 773-291-6521 | etolbert9@ccc.edu

Andria Russaw – Adjunct Faculty | 773-291-6434 | arussaw@ccc.edu
Flor Roman – Adjunct Faculty | fcastro11@ccc.edu