Apply Today!
Completing your application takes less than 30 minutes! We’ve created an application guide to help you quickly and easily complete the steps to apply and enroll.
If you’re drawn to working with children and making a difference in their early years, our program is the perfect place to start. Study how young children grow and learn, gain hands-on experience in our Preschool Lab, and build the skills to support their development and well-being. With flexible options to earn certificates, complete your AA degree, or transfer to a university, you'll be ready to launch a meaningful career helping children thrive.
“I deeply appreciate the hands-on community support from the CHDEV department at Merritt. They provided a sense of guidance and growth throughout my educational career.” - Christian Hernandez, CHDEV Alumni
Early Care & Education is all about how children grow and learn—physically, emotionally, socially, and cognitively. These early years are some of the most important in a child’s life, and the experiences they have during this time shape who they become. In these programs, you’ll learn how to support children's development in real and meaningful ways. You’ll explore how kids think and learn, how they express emotions, how to encourage social skills, and how to create safe and fun learning environments.
Learn more at the CHDEV Resource Center!
Get support with:
Certificate of Proficiency: Assistant Teacher (6 CHDEV units)
Certificate of Proficiency: Associate Teacher (12 CHDEV units)
Certificate of Achievement - Teacher (24 CHDEV units + 16 General Education units)
*Associate in Arts: Child Development (60 units)
*Associate in Science-Transfer: Early Childhood Education (60 units)
*Degrees are awarded upon the satisfactory completion of CHDEV courses and General Education requirements.
Pursue a bachelor's degree and beyond!
“CHDEV 55A [is] an experience that every potential ECE provider should partake in on their academic journey. Michelle and Bonnie provided real life teaching experiences in conjunction with a phenomenal academic curriculum that required students to delve deep into their creative minds. I would highly recommend this course for anyone who has aspirations of being the type of teacher whose reputation will precede them.” — Phillip Hall
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Alice Chinn |
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Marlo Beall |
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Department Chair
Michelle St. Germaine
Building A-106
mgermaine@peralta.edu
Office: (510) 436-2588
Google Voice:
(510) 936-0501
Staff Assistant
Alice Chinn
會講國語
merrittcollegechdev@gmail.com
(510) 545-2413
Dean of Division
I-Liberal Arts and Social Sciences
Dr. Chriss Warren Foster
cfoster@peralta.edu
(510) 434-3897
Assistant to the Dean
Denise Woodward
dwoodward@peralta.edu
(510) 436-2425
Tanya Ilarde
CE Counseling Office
Building S | Room 438
(510) 434-3938
MCCareerEd@peralta.edu
Marlo Beall
CE Counseling Office
Building S | Room 438
(510) 434-3938
MCCareerEd@peralta.edu
Marisela Carvalho
CE Counseling Office
Building S | Room 438
(510) 434-3938
MCCareerEd@peralta.edu
Completing your application takes less than 30 minutes! We’ve created an application guide to help you quickly and easily complete the steps to apply and enroll.