Los Angeles Trade Technical College: Nurturing Future Educators Through Early Childhood Education

Los Angeles Trade Technical College (LATTC) stands as a beacon of opportunity for individuals passionate about shaping young minds. Founded in 1925 as the Frank Wiggins Trade School, LATTC is the oldest of the nine public two-year colleges in the Los Angeles Community College District, offering a comprehensive Early Childhood Education (ECE) program designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary to excel in this rewarding field.

A Pathway to Professional Growth: The Associate in Science in Early Childhood Education for Transfer (AS-T)

The Associate in Science in Early Childhood Education for Transfer (AS-T) degree at LATTC is meticulously crafted to provide students with the academic foundation required for a variety of child development permits issued by the State of California. This program is particularly beneficial for students who aspire to work in the field while simultaneously pursuing their education. Early Childhood Education introduces the theories of child development and principles of education focusing on children ages 0-5 years.

The AS-T in Early Childhood Education for Transfer degree is primarily designed for students intending to complete a baccalaureate degree in a related program or major at a California State University campus. The curriculum aligns with the California State University General Education - Breadth Requirements (CSU GE), ensuring a seamless transfer process.

Diverse Educational Options: Certificates, Transfer Pathways, and Associate Degrees

The Child Development Program at LATTC offers a spectrum of educational options tailored to meet diverse career goals. Completion of each program culminates in a certificate, a transfer option, or an Associate in Arts degree. With the addition of general education units and the fulfillment of required experience, students become eligible for the Child Development Permit, as defined under Title 5.

The Child Development courses encompass training in several critical areas, including:

Infant and toddler care
Working with school-age children
Supervising and administering childcare programs
Working with children with special needs

Curriculum Highlights: Methodology, Theories, and Practical Application

Students who successfully complete the Early Childhood Education program at LATTC will demonstrate proficiency in the methodology of working with young children. This proficiency is cultivated through an extensive overview of theories and the application of child development principles. The curriculum also emphasizes the development of curriculum and lesson planning techniques, effective methods for observing and recording child behavior, and essential classroom management techniques.

This comprehensive curriculum prepares students to teach in various programs for children, including:

Private facilities
Parent cooperatives
Head Start programs
Children’s Centers
Infant/toddler programs
School-age programs

L.A. Trade Technical College Cdc: A Center-Based Learning Environment

L.A. Trade Technical College Cdc (Child Development Center) serves as a vital component of the ECE program, hosting early child care and education in a center-based environment in Los Angeles. As a center, L.A. Trade Technical College Cdc provides a structured, stable environment that’s optimized to provide students with the best of quality education alongside the empathetic care you’d expect from anyone watching children. Centers like L.A. Trade Technical College Cdc are popular choices for parents that want the resources and enrichment opportunities for their children that can come at a larger facility but also value rich socialization with both peers and non-family adults. L.A. Trade Technical College Cdc likewise affords Los Angeles parents a full-time schedule for their children to enjoy. Full-time means children get the full benefits of a structured learning environment for them to explore, play and laugh with their peers and get the most out of what the wide world of learning has to offer!

LATTC at a Glance: Campus, Demographics, and Academics

LATTC's campus is situated in a vibrant city, with a total student enrollment of 11,285. The college operates on a semester-based academic year, providing a structured learning environment for its diverse student body. The student-faculty ratio is 21-to-1, allowing for personalized attention and mentorship.

As a higher education institution, the highest degree offered at Los Angeles Trade Technical College is an associate degree. The school maintains an open admissions policy, welcoming students from various backgrounds and experiences. Recognizing the value of prior learning, LATTC offers credit for life experiences, enabling students to accelerate their academic journey.

Affordability and Accessibility: Tuition, Fees, and Financial Aid

For the academic year 2020-2021, in-state tuition and fees were $1,238, making LATTC an affordable option for California residents. Out-of-state tuition and fees were $9,012. Notably, there is no application fee, further reducing barriers to entry.

LATTC is committed to making education accessible to all. A significant portion of undergraduates, 58 percent, receive grant or scholarship aid, with the average scholarship or grant award amounting to $3,189. This financial support helps students offset the costs of tuition, fees, books, and supplies, allowing them to focus on their studies.

Diverse Fields of Study: Degrees and Certificates

Students at LATTC can pursue degrees and certificates in 65 different fields, catering to a wide range of interests and career aspirations. Popular programs include:

Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies
Biological and Physical Sciences
Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse

Resources and Support Services: Empowering Student Success

LATTC provides a comprehensive array of resources and support services to ensure student success. These services include:

Employment services for students
Credit for life experiences
Academic/career counseling services
Placement services for completers
On-campus day care for students' children

These resources are designed to address the diverse needs of students, providing them with the tools and support necessary to thrive academically and professionally.

Read also: Protecting Students at Graduation

Community Engagement and Partnerships: Extending Reach and Impact

LATTC actively engages with the community through various partnerships and initiatives. These collaborations enhance the college's reach and impact, providing valuable opportunities for students and local businesses.

As part of the County Department for Economic Opportunity (DEO)’s Shop Local Business Labs series, Digital Advantage workshops are designed to provide small business owners with hands-on workshops to help them grow and thrive in an increasingly digital market. Sessions cover digital marketing strategies, AI integration, legal guidance, pathways to government contracting, and an exploration of helpful tech tools.

LATTC is offering three Child Development courses fully in Spanish during the Spring 2026 semester. These courses support Early Educators and Family Child Care Providers who are interested in advancing their education or working toward a Teacher Permit through the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing. All courses are offered online via Zoom, include free electronic textbooks, and provide semester units transferable to UC & CSU institutions.

The Los Angeles County Office for the Advancement of Early Care and Education (OAECE), in collaboration with Public Counsel, has released Child Care for All: Information for Child Care Providers on Expanding Infant and Toddler Care in Los Angeles County. The free toolkit guides family child care homes and community-based child care centers on how to serve more infants and toddlers. The online resource reviews topics including staffing ratios, making changes to physical space, and business model considerations. The toolkit is available in English, Armenian, Chinese, Korean, Russian and Spanish. A recorded webinar on expanding child care programs to serve more infants and toddlers is also available online in English and Spanish.

Child Care Providers United (CCPU) is a union of over 40,000 home-based (family child care and family, friend, and neighbor care) child care providers in California working in partnership with parents, early childhood education advocates and state legislators to fix the state’s child care crisis and improve the profession and the quality of care. Their contract with the State includes a first-in-the-nation retirement fund, health care reimbursement fund and professional development opportunities for providers.

Earn an Early Childhood Education-Associate Teacher Certificate at low or no cost through the UCLAxCareerBridge Initiative! The ECE Associate Teacher Program prepares individuals to become an Associate Teacher in a preschool or child care setting for children ages 0-5. After completing this 12-month, part-time program, participants will be eligible to apply for an Associate Teacher Child Development Permit through the State of CA.

The Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) has launched the Behavioral Health Virtual Services Platform, which offers free web- and app-based behavioral health services, including care navigation, moderated peer communities, and crisis and safety resources. The platform has two web- and app-based applications: Brightlife Kids, for parents or caregivers of children ages 0-12, and Soluna, for teens and young adults ages 13-25. Brightlife Kids offers behavioral health coaching for parents, caregivers, and kids. Learn how to build non-verbal communication skills, navigate milestones, teach toddlers how to share, manage separation anxiety, and more. Services are cost-free and do not require insurance or referrals.

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