Early Childhood Education, AAS

Program: ECEA

The Early Childhood Education associate degree curriculum provides an understanding of early childhood theory and its application to childcare and educational settings. This degree program prepares students to work in a variety of early childhood settings subject to state and/or facility requirements. Students will develop the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary for employment in alignment with NAEYC standards. By the end of their degree program, students will have the competencies needed to promote childhood development and learning, build family and community relationships, and create a welcoming and inclusive environment to support all children. Students will also be able to observe, document, assess, and support young children while using developmentally appropriate practices.

Graduates of this degree plan will achieve the following program and institutional outcomes:

• Design, execute and assess meaningful, challenging curricula that promote comprehensive child development and learning outcomes for children of differing abilities and backgrounds.
• Integrate health, safety and nutrition practices according to local, state and national standards.
• Create respectful, reciprocal relationships with children’s families and communities to foster involvement and support children’s development and learning.
• Implement developmentally appropriate and inclusive activities and guidance strategies designed to positively impact child behavior and to support growth in all domains.
• Observe, document, and assess young children to support their development and learning, and include families in the process.
• Organize work effectively to create a purposeful, responsive program, including preparation of written plans, progress records, parent communication and reports.
• Utilize current technology and resources to identify a research need, locate and evaluate necessary  and available information, and then use it appropriately to communicate findings in visual, written, or oral formats.
• Integrate new and prior knowledge, skills, and behaviors acquired through learning to engage in career, life, and academic pursuits.
• Examine individual thinking strategies through reflection, analysis, and evaluation to adjust learning processes focused on continual improvement.
• Follow established methods of scientific inquiry and quantitative reasoning to form conclusions and make decisions.
• Assess academic, life, and career situations that promote cultural sensitivity, global and economic awareness, and a sense of belonging.