Laredo College offers two levels of study: a two-year Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree in Child Development and a one year Child Development Assistant Certificate. Both are based on the principal that quality care makes a positive difference in the lives of children and their families.

The Child Development Program is designed for people who want a challenging and rewarding career in educating and caring for young children. Through the development of practical skills, knowledge of theory, and a nurturing attitude, students learn to be quality child care providers for children. In response to community demand for qualified child care providers, the Child Development program at Laredo College addresses student competencies and standards for early childhood programs developed by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), State Board for Educator's Certification Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities Standards, and The Child Development National Credential Program.

The Child Development Program provides teacher training through a variety of courses. It requires students to spend a major part of their credit-hour time working with young children in various early childhood programs. In addition, it has expanded the role of the CDP in Laredo and the surrounding communities by offering online courses.

Instruction is centered on lecture, lab, internship, and field experience courses, which offer direct experience in a variety of settings.

Child Development, Associate of Applied Science

Child Development Assistant, Certificate I

Due to the nature of the curricula and the criteria for child-care center and public school volunteers, determined by the state licensing agency, there are special entrance and continuation requirements for the completion of CDEC and TECA Child Development courses. As required by The Texas Health and Human Services Minimum Standards for Child Care Centers, December 2024 (P20330-0000), the student must comply with the following:

• A student must be able to supervise children at all times as defined by Texas Administrative Code (TAC) §746.1205.

TAC §746.1205. What responsibilities does a caregiver have when supervising a child or children?

(a) The caregiver is responsible for:

(1) Knowing which children the caregiver is responsible for [High]; 

(2) Knowing how many children the caregiver is responsible for [High];

(3) Knowing each child’s name and having information showing each child's age [Medium- High];

(4) Providing the level of supervision necessary to ensure each child’s safety and well-being, including physical proximity and auditory or visual awareness of each child’s on going activity as appropriate [High]; and

(5) Being able to intervene when necessary to ensure each child’s safety [High].

(b) In deciding how closely to supervise a child, the caregiver must consider:

(1) The child’s chronological age;

(2) The child’s current stage of development;

(3) The child’s individual differences and abilities;

(4) The indoor and outdoor layout of the operation;

(5) The circumstances, hazards, and risks surrounding the child; and

(6) The child’s physical, mental, emotional, and social needs.

Technical Assistance

Supervision is basic to the prevention of harm. Parents have an understanding that caregivers will supervise their children in their absence. Adults who are attentive and who understand young children’s behaviors are in the best position to safeguard their well-being. Child-care centers can also establish an understanding with parents regarding who (when the parent and when the center) is responsible for the child while the parent and the child are both on the grounds. These understandings could be laid out in the enrollment agreement. Regarding paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(2), the caregiver must always know which children he or she is responsible for as well as how many children are in his or her group. This requirement is critical, especially during transitions, to ensure all children are accounted for and appropriately supervised.

At the beginning of each semester, students must complete a background check as defined by TAC §745.607.

TAC §745.607 What are the different types of background checks?

The different types of background checks are described in the following table:

Figure: 26 TAC §745.607

Type of Background Check	Description of Background Check
(1) Fingerprint-based criminal history check	A comparative search between the fingerprints of the subject of the background check and the: (A) DPS database of arrests for alleged crimes committed in Texas and dispositions; (B) FBI database of arrests for alleged crimes committed anywhere in the United States and Territories and dispositions; (C) DPS database of the Texas sex offender registry; and FBI database of the National Sex Offender Registry.
(2) Name-based Texas criminal history check	A comparative search between the subject’s name and the: (A) DPS database of arrests for alleged crimes committed in Texas and dispositions; and (B) DPS database for the Texas sex offender registry.
(3) Central Registry check	A comparative search between the subject’s name and the Central Registry.
(4) Out-of-state criminal history check	A comparative search between the subject’s name or fingerprints and another state’s or territory’s database of arrests for alleged crimes committed in the other state or territory and dispositions.
(5) Out-of-state child abuse and neglect registry check	A comparative search between the subject’s name and another state's or territory’s database of persons who have been found to have abused or neglected a child.
(6) Out-of-state sex offender registry check	A comparative search between the subject’s name and another state’s or territory’s sex offender registry.
(7) National Sex Offender Registry check	A comparative search between the subject’s name and the National Sex Offender Registry. This name-based check is separate from the check of the National Sex Offender Registry that is included in the fingerprint- based criminal history check.

A student must not have any criminal convictions as defined by §745.661.

TAC §745.661 What types of criminal convictions may affect a subject's ability to be present at an operation?

(a) A felony or misdemeanor conviction under Texas law, the laws of another state, or federal law may affect a subject's ability to be present at an operation. There are three charts with information regarding specific crimes that may affect a subject's ability to be present at an operation. Each chart specifies whether a conviction permanently or temporarily bars a subject from being present at an operation, whether a subject is eligible for a risk evaluation, and whether a subject who is eligible for a risk evaluation may be present at an operation pending the outcome of the risk evaluation. The three charts are:

(1) Licensed or Certified Child Care Operations: Criminal History Requirements;

(2) Foster or Adoptive Placements: Criminal History Requirements; and

(3) Registered Child Care Homes and Listed Family Homes: Criminal History Requirements.

(b) HHSC will review the three charts listed in subsection (a) of this section annually to determine whether any changes are needed. HHSC will publish any changes in January as an "In Addition" document in the Texas Register and make them available on the Licensing public website. A written public comment period will be available for 30 days following publication. HHSC will consider any written comments HHSC receives during the 30-day time period, and provide a response to the commenter that will also be included on the Licensing public website. In response to any comment, HHSC may implement changes to a chart, withdraw changes to a chart, or alter a chart based on a reasoned justification. If HHSC changes a chart, HHSC will subsequently re-publish the chart in the "In Addition" section of the Texas Register.

(c) A subject currently on parole for a felony offense must have an approved risk evaluation prior to being present at an operation.

(d) For any felony offense that is not specifically enumerated in the relevant chart listed in subsection (a) of this section, a subject convicted within the past 10 years for the offense must have an approved risk evaluation prior to being present at an operation.

(e) Substantially similar federal offenses and offenses in other states will be treated the same as the similar Texas offense. On a case-by-case basis, HHSC will determine whether a federal offense or an offense in another state is substantially similar to a Texas offense by comparing the legal elements of each offense, including the mens rea (meaning the state of mind of the person, i.e., an intentional, knowing, or reckless act), and assessing the similarity of the legal elements.

(f) This rule does not apply to a person who requires a background check under this subchapter because of the person's responsibilities as a DFPS or Licensing employee or volunteer. The person will have a background check conducted by DFPS or HHSC as part of the person's application to become an employee or volunteer.

• Must have a negative T.B. test or negative chest x-ray from the USA during the first two weeks of the semester. If an outbreak were to occur, an additional T.B. test may be required.
• Must submit two letters of reference (not from relatives).
• Must sign a code of ethics statement at the beginning of the semester.

NOTE: Entrance and continuation requirements listed above also apply for CDEC 2187, CDEC 2188 and CDEC 2486. Internships are on or off-campus at either LC Camilo Prada Child Development Center or at a Contracted Webb County Head Start Center.

NOTE: Due to the nature of the curricula and the criteria, for public school volunteers, there are special entrance and continuation requirements for the completion of EDUC courses. All students enrolling in EDUC classes requiring field experience assignments must turn in a clear criminal history background check from the Webb County Sheriff's Department or The Laredo Police Department indicating that the student does not have a criminal history.

NOTE: To receive credit for CDEC, EDUC, & TECA courses, the student must complete all CDEC, EDUC, & TECA, courses with a grade of "C" or better.

NOTE: If the criminal history check identifies any criminal convictions, the student will not be permitted to continue in any CDEC Internship course or EDUC course.

NOTE: Successful completion of all undergraduate, lower level courses, taken at Laredo College does not guarantee acceptance to a transfer institution.