The mission of the Child Development Department (CDD) is to provide quality education in the field of child development to support a diverse community of learners. We educate students that childhood is appreciated as a unique and valuable stage of the human life cycle.

The CDD believes that it is our responsibility to advocate for children, their families, their caregivers and their teachers who have a common interest in each child’s well-being. We also acknowledge a primary responsibility to bring about communication, cooperation and collaboration between the home and child development programs in ways that enhance each child’s development and to ensure that care and education are in high quality settings that are safe, healthy, nurturing and responsive for each child.

The CDD is committed to providing programs that respect and support families, caregivers and teachers in their primary task of nurturing and educating children. The CDD is committed to student success, to teaching, and to service excellence by preparing students to earn their certificates, degrees and permits to work in child development programs and/or to transfer to 4-year universities.