Click here for Early Childhood Careers Fact Sheet

Eligible Students:  11, 12

Early Childhood Careers is a 2-year program which will provide students with the primary knowledge and skills needed for a future career in childcare or early childhood education. Students will have the opportunity of complete their practicum hours, child development associate training, child development portfolio requirements, and course work in an early childhood setting under the guidance and supervision of a certified early childhood educator who has either an Early Childhood Birth-Third Grade or and Early Childhood Special Education Certificate as well as a Master's degree in a related field.
   
Areas of Study:

• Human development from birth to age eight 
• Lesson planning and curriculum development
• Physical, social, emotional, and cognitive development
• Observations and assessment of children
• Types of Early Childhood Programs
• Creating a safe and healthy environment
• Daycare licensing rules and statues
• Effective strategies for working with children and families
• Ethical and professional considerations of early childhood professionals
• Pediatric First Aid
• CPR

This program is for juniors and seniors that can provide their own transportation to their field site experiences.  Students will work towards gaining 480 hours of experience to be able to apply for the CDA credential upon completion of the program. 

Students can earn 12 hours of dual credit through East Central College during their first year of the program.