This program prepares the graduate to work with children aged birth through nine. Students who complete the AAS in Early Childhood Education are qualified as a group supervisor or head teacher in an early care and education program, including Head Start classrooms and childcare centers with children in infant/toddler, preschool or school-age care. With additional experience, graduates can be qualified to be Center Directors. Students who transfer to four-year colleges work towards Pre-K to fourth grade teacher certification for employment in early childhood or elementary school settings.Students seeking to transfer and interested in seeking teaching certification must consult with an advisor or counselor to select electives in careful accordance with the general education and/or pre-professional requirements of the four-year college or university to which students intend to transfer. Student seeking transfer are highly recommended to: Identify transfer institution early and carefully follow advisor, college catalog, college web page along with transfer agreement. Maintain a GPA of 3.0 or higher. Successfully complete six credits in math and immediately take PAPA exam. Maintain a credential portfolio.
Program Objectives
Program Objective
Apply theories of child development in classroom application.
Demonstrate knowledge of diverse family and community contexts through the use of applicable community resources.
Evaluate classroom environments and interactions through the use of developmentally appropriate observation and screening tools.
Apply a broad repertoire of developmentally appropriate and culturally and linguistically relevant, anti-bias, and evidence-based teaching approaches that reflect the principles of universal design for learning.
Analyze the content of academic disciplines (eg. Language and literacy, the arts, mathematics, social studies, science, technology and engineering, physical education) and of pedagogical methods for each teaching discipline.
Develop and present a professional self through the application of codes of ethics, rich communication skills, and reflective an intentional practice.
Advisor Notes
Up to 15 ECE credits can be transferred from an accredited college. It is highly preferred that ECE credits transfer from a NAEYC Accredited ECE program of study
Students intending to transfer need to choose courses based on the college transfer agreement.
All ECE courses have in-person lab/fieldwork component. Hours vary by course. See individual course descriptions in credit catalog.
Recommended Science Electives: BIO 101, 105, CHE 105, PHY 101.