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Child Development

Child Development Program

Children are curious creatures and the opportunity to help mold them from the beginning is a precious privilege. Start a rewarding career in child care by pursuing an Associate Degree in Child Development at Redlands. The entire program can be completed online, or you can take courses on campus so you can choose what works best for your schedule and learning style. 

Redlands’ course credits also easily transfer to the University of Central Oklahoma to earn a bachelor’s degree in Family Study and Child Development or Southeastern Oklahoma State University to earn a degree in Early Intervention and Child Development.

If you are pursuing a Child Development degree and work 30 hours or more a week, we have scholarships available. For more information about the Child Development program, please contact 405.422.1286 or Child.Development@redlandscc.edu.

Scholars for Excellence in Childcare

The Scholars for Excellence in Child Care Program provides mentoring and support services while you pursue a formal education in child development. With the help of scholarships and financial aid, you can be a “Scholar” and complete coursework to obtain a Child Development Associate Credential (CDA). Your next step is to earn a Certificate of Mastery in child development and eventually an associate degree in Child Development.

Earning the Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential and the Certificate of Mastery can lead to many career benefits. You will develop core competency skills as well as how to nurture children emotionally, physically, intellectually and socially. Earning CDA Credentials will help you develop your professional skills, provide higher quality child care and become a more confident child care provider.

Scholarships
The Scholars for Excellence in Child Care Program offers a scholarship for child care professionals like yourself. With the Scholars Program, you can: 

  • Get free books
  • Pay only 10 percent of the tuition costs
  • Earn Pell Grants for additional aid, if qualified

The Scholars Program coordinator is available to help you find out more about these and other financial aid opportunities. 

Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for the Scholars Program, you must: 

  • Work in a two-star (or above) OKDHS or tribal-licensed child care facility with a minimum of 10 percent subsidy children at time of application
  • Work as a teacher, family child care provider or director at least 30 hours per week earning $15.50 or less per hour
  • Be employed at a child care facility or Head Start at least three months before beginning coursework 
  • Enroll in a child development or early childhood education plan of study upon approval
  • Must be 18 years old and/or have a high school diploma/GED

Note: Due to the availability of education and training funds, employees from federally funded child care programs are not eligible to participate in the scholarship. 

Scholars Program Benefits 

  • Support services and technical assistance from Scholars Program coordinators
  • Networking with other child care professionals
  • Scholarships for coursework at career technology centers for the Pathway to CDA program
  • Scholarships for coursework at community colleges and for the CDA Credential Assessment
  • Scholarships for coursework at Cameron University for the Bachelors in Family and Child Studies degree
  • Personal advisement from the program director who will visit you at the childcare site, encourage you along the way and be a resource for whatever you may need

Degree Paths 

  • Child Development Associate Credential (CDA), and/or Certificate of Mastery in Child Development
  • Director’s Certificate of Mastery (applied for through Scholars for Excellence in Child Care) 
  • Associates of Applied Sciences in Child Development
  • Associate of Arts Degree in Family Studies Child Development 

For more information, contact the Scholar Coordinator at 405.422.1286 or scholarsprogram@redlandscc.edu.