Education/Early Childhood Education Department

Infant and Toddler

Make a difference in children’s lives during key stages of growth and development.

About the Infant and Toddler Program

Embark on a rich path of growth and professional development in our Early Childhood Education Infant & Toddler program. Infant and toddler professionals work in early childhood education centers, child development facilities, and family child care homes.

Early childhood professionals support children’s ability to:

  • Learn
  • Be self-confident and have high self-esteem
  • Have positive social skills
  • Develop a sense of empathy

Santa Monica College’s Early Childhood Education Infant & Toddler specialization is a rewarding pathway full of discovery, where you will impact very young children as a caregiver and teacher during the critical first 3 years of life. You will develop and foster emotionally nourishing relationships with young children, which lay the foundation for infant and toddler brain development, lifelong health, and well-being.

Our early childhood curriculum is centered on caregiving routines that support children’s social, emotional, cognitive, language, and physical development. We connect theory to practice, providing experiential opportunities including site observations, mentoring, tutoring, and more to teach you how to serve the unique needs of children, families, and communities.

The SMC Infant & Toddler career path prepares you to work with young children 0-36 months and their families in public and private settings. You will develop the skills needed to create respectful and responsive relationships that support, empower, and involve families in their children’s learning and development.

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Program Paths

Infant/Toddler Teacher

Infant/Toddler Teacher

Associate in Science Degree
Certificate of Achievement

This program prepares students to work with infants/toddlers (0-36 months), enabling the student to assist a teacher in a public infant/toddler program or teach infants/toddlers in a private child care setting. In addition, students will develop skills to create respectful, reciprocal relationships that support, empower, and involve families in their children's learning and development. Early Childhood Education professionals adhere to the guidelines as well as the Professional Code of Ethics of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) providing developmentally appropriate learning opportunities for the enhancement of the physical, intellectual, social, emotional, and creative domains of young children.


Resources and Transfer

Many colleges and universities offer baccalaureate degrees in this field. Students planning to transfer to a four-year college or university should meet with a counselor to discuss which courses need to be taken at SMC before applying to your designer colleges/universities.

Student Resources

We know college isn't always easy. We are here to help as you navigate through your SMC journey. This resource connects to information about Financial Aid, Tutoring Services, the Center for Wellness and Wellbeing and much more!

Early Childhood Lab School

Santa Monica College and the City of Santa Monica, in a unique partnership, have built an innovative early childhood laboratory school to serve the community while enabling teachers in-training to develop crucial expertise under the guidance of leading education professionals.

Transfer Preparation

Many colleges and universities offer baccalaureate degrees in this field. Students planning to transfer to a four-year college or university need to know which courses completed at Santa Monica College will be accepted at the specific college/university.


Let us help you get to your successful education goals

Apply Now!