Virginia's Early Childhood Development & Services pathway develops expertise in child development, early childhood education, childcare operations, and child advocacy—preparing students for careers serving young children and families.
Students study child development theories, early childhood teaching strategies, childcare operations, health and safety for children, family engagement, and developmental assessment. They practice early childhood services through partnerships with preschools and childcare facilities.
Graduates work as preschool teachers, childcare specialists, teacher assistants, family service coordinators, or child development specialists. Virginia's extensive childcare needs create employment. Advanced students pursue early childhood education and child development programs.
Early Childhood Development & Services at a Glance
4
Courses
6
Credentials
4
Career Paths
State Standards & Framework
Virginia's early childhood development standards address child development theory, teaching methods, safety, health, family engagement, and developmental milestones. Standards align with Virginia early childhood education guidelines.
Students demonstrate competency through child care simulations and developmental assessments. The state integrates child development and safety knowledge.
Typical Course Sequence
| Course |
|---|
| Child Development Fundamentals |
| Early Childhood Education and Teaching |
| Childcare Operations and Health |
| Family Engagement and Child Advocacy |
Industry Certifications & Credentials
- ✓ServSafe Food Handler
- ✓NOCTI Early Childhood Education
- ✓National Career Readiness Certificate (NCRC)
- ✓Child Development Associate (CDA)
- ✓Early Childhood Professional Certificate
- ✓First Aid/CPR/AED - Adult, Child, and Infant
Career Opportunities
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2024). Growth projections from BLS Employment Projections (2023-2033). Cost-of-living adjustment uses BEA Regional Price Parities (2023). Entry-level salaries reflect the 25th percentile; experienced salaries reflect the median.
Childcare Provider
Entry LevelSalary range: $27,960 - $34,950
Preschool Assistant
Entry LevelSalary range: $27,960 - $34,950
Teacher Assistant
Entry LevelSalary range: $57,960 - $80,440
Preschool Teacher
ExperiencedSalary range: $35,030 - $45,100
Work-Based Learning Opportunities
Students intern at preschools, childcare centers, and family service organizations throughout Virginia.
Career & Technical Student Organization
Students in this pathway can participate in HOSA-Future Health Professionals, gaining leadership experience and competing in career-related events.
How Sage Helps Virginia CTE Programs
AI-Powered Curriculum
Generate standards-aligned lesson plans in minutes, not months
Virginia Standards Built In
Pre-loaded with Virginia's CTE standards and frameworks
Teacher Customization
Teachers personalize content while maintaining standards alignment
Ongoing Updates
Curriculum stays current as Virginia standards and industry needs evolve
Ready to Build Early Childhood Development & Services Programs at Scale?
See how Sage can help you create standards-aligned curriculum for Early Childhood Development & Services in Virginia.