The Child Development Department’s purpose is to prepare knowledgeable and competent professionals who work directly with young children and their families in a variety of roles in early care and education settings.

A continuum of educational offerings, from informal to formal, beginning with continuing education workshops and culminating in the AAS degree in Child Development is provided. A Certificate inChild Development and two CDA Training Programs, providing a Marketable Skills Award, are also offered.

The Child Development Department administers 3 other programs that support the preparation of competent early care and education professionals. The National Association for the Education of Young Children accredited Children’s Laboratory School serves as a demonstration site for Child Development students and community child care workers. The Accreditation Project works with Austin child care centers to improve the quality of care young children receive. Teacher TRAC provides scholarships for child care employees who live in or work in Travis County.