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EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION

A55220 Degree (Day & Evening)
D55220 Diploma (Day & Evening)
C55220 Certificate (Day & Evening)

The Early Childhood Education curriculum prepares individuals to work with children from infancy through middle childhood in diverse learning environments. Students will combine learned theories with practice in actual settings with young children under the supervision of qualified teachers.

Course work includes child growth and development; physical/nutritional needs of children; care and guidance of children; and communication skills with parents and children. Students will foster the cognitive/language, physical/motor, social/emotional, and creative development of young children.

Graduates are prepared to plan and implement developmentally appropriate programs in early childhood settings. Employment opportunities include child development and child care programs, preschools, public and private schools, recreational centers, Head Start Programs, and school-age programs.

EARLY CHILDHOOD CREDENTIALS TRACK FOR STATE CERTIFICATES

Under the credentials track, there are two options, depending upon the need of the student:

1. In order to meet the minimum North Carolina credential requirements to teach in a childcare center, students must take EDU 119 (Early Childhood Education).
2. Early Childhood Administration Credential I & II - This program of study involves taking 12 semester hours of courses, specifically EDU 261 (Early Childhood Administration Credential I) EDU 262 (Early Childhood Administration Credential II) and seven additional semester hours of courses (2-4 courses depending on which courses are taken). Completion of these courses will meet the minimum credential requirement to be a director of a childcare center.
   
 

CERTIFICATE, DIPLOMA AND DEGREE TRACKS

Early Childhood certificates may be obtained in three areas - Early Childhood Certificate (18 semester hours of academic credit), Early Childhood Administrative Certificate (19 semester hours of academic credit) and Infant/Toddler Certificate (18 semester hours of academic credit).

The Early Childhood diploma may be obtained by taking 16 courses, earning a total of 40 semester hours of academic credit.

The Early Childhood Associate degree may be earned in two years as a full-time day student or in three years as a part-time evening student. Degree students earn 65 hours of academic credit.

SCHOOL-AGE PROGRAM TRACK

Two courses are required for teachers and administrators of school-age programs: EDU 145 (Child Development II), offered each spring semester and EDU 235 (School-Age Development & Program), offered each fall semester. These courses teach the basic principles of typical and atypical development in school-age children, and equip the student to design and implement a developmentally appropriate curriculum for school-age children. For students in the school-age program track of study, EDU 144 is not a prerequisite for EDU 145. Completion of these two courses will meet the state’s educational requirements for school-age program providers.

JOB OPPORTUNITIES

Employment opportunities include child development and childcare programs, preschools, public and private schools, recreational centers, Head Start programs, and school-age programs. The job outlook is above average, especially for those with some education in the early childhood curriculum and experience in childcare. In a recent survey of 172 Randolph County childcare providers, an average of $6.37 per hour was reported. Providers with an associate or bachelor’s degree had an average salary of $7.87 per hour. In North Carolina, the average salary for a childcare center director is $8.71 per hour, with incentive pay offered for additional training and education. In addition, Smart Start has recently voted to provide Randolph County child care providers with an additional wage supplement of $200 - $3,000 per year, depending on education. With new state laws requiring credentials and education for childcare providers, it is projected that these salaries will increase statewide.

COURSE INFORMATION

Early Childhood (Degree - 14 courses; Diploma - 9 courses; Certificate - 7 courses) - Degree and diploma students will study the theories of child development and the developmental sequences of children; practical principles and techniques for developmentally appropriate guidance; and promoting and maintaining the health and well-being of children. Early Childhood Credential students take credentials classes that introduce early childhood education and cover developmentally appropriate practices and positive guidance. Early Childhood classes vary for certificate students, depending on the certificate option the student chooses. Diploma and degree students take additional classes in the relationships between the families, programs for children/schools and the community; group care for infants, toddlers and two-year-olds; and working with children with special needs. Other topics for degree students include the foundations of the early childhood profession; the history, selection and integration of literature and language in the early childhood curriculum; early childhood curriculum planning; discovery experiences in science, math and social studies; and creative learning environments.
Cooperative Education (Degree - 3 courses; Diploma - 2 courses; CeNovember 15, 2006rience courses provide work experience with a college-approved employer, while the Work Experience Seminar course offers a forum to analyze these experiences with a faculty member and other students with similar work experiences.
English (Degree and Diploma - 2 courses) - Degree and diploma students study the writing process and professional communication skills.
Information Systems (Degree and Diploma - 1 course) - This course is an introduction to computers and computing (EDU 271).
Math (Degree - 1 course) - Survey of topics including sets, logic, probability, statistics, matrices, mathematical systems, geometry, topology, mathematics of finance, and modeling.
Psychology (Degree - 1 course) - This course is an overview of the scientific study of human behavior.
Sociology (Degree & Diploma - 1 course) - This course covers the institution of the family and other intimate relationships.
Elective (Degree - 1 course) - Degree students also take a 3-credit-hour humanities/fine arts course.