Early Childhood Care/Education Diploma
Offered at the Following Campus Locations
Program Overview
The Early Childhood Care and Education Diploma program is a sequence of courses designed to prepare students for a variety of careers in the field of early childhood education. The program emphasizes a combination of early childhood care and education theory and practical application as well as limited general core competencies necessary for successful employment. Graduates have qualification to be employed in early care and education settings, including child care centers and Head Start.
Entrance Requirements
This program requires either the ACCUPLACER or COMPASS college placement test and High School Diploma or GED. Minimum Required Age of 16.
ACCUPLACER minimum scores:Reading Comprehension 55, Sentence Skills 60, Arithmetic 34
COMPASS minimum scores: Reading 70, Writing 32, Mathematics 26
Note: Students will be required to complete a satisfactory National Criminal Background Check before they can complete this program of study
Course Overview
Basic Skills Courses:ENGL1010Fundamentals of English I3Emphasizes the development and improvement of written and oral communication abilities. Topics include analysis of writing, applied grammar and writing skills, editing and proofreading skills, research skills, and oral communication skills.1240MATH1012Foundations of Mathematics3Emphasizes the application of basic mathematical skills used in the solution of occupational and technical problems. Topics include fractions, decimals, percents, ratios and proportions, measurement and conversion, formula manipulation, technical applications, and basic statistics.1291Select one of the following two coursesEMPL1000Interpersonal Relat & Prof Dev2Emphasizes human relations and professional development in today's rapidly changing world that prepares students for living and working in a complex society. Topics include human relations skills, job acquisition skills and communication, job retention skills, job advancement skills, and professional image skills.1313ORPSYC1010Basic Psychology3Presents basic concepts within the field of psychology and their application to everyday human behavior, thinking, and emotion. Emphasis is placed on students understanding basic psychological principles and their application within the context of family, work and social interactions. Topics include an overview of psychology as a science, the nervous and sensory systems, learning and memory, motivation and emotion, intelligence, lifespan development, personality, psychological disorders and their treatment, stress and health, and social relations.1319Occupational Courses:COLL1010College and Career Success Skills3This course is designed to assist the learner to acquire skills necessary to achieve academic, personal, and professional success and to improve student retention. Topics include: Getting off to a Good Start, Learning and Personality Skills, Time and Personal Financial Management, Stress Management and Wellness, Study and Test Taking Skills, Communication Skills, Career Planning and Goal Setting, Computer Application/Technology Skills, and Employability/Professional Skills.13802ECCE1101Intro-Early Childhood Care/Edu3Introduces concepts relating the responsibilities and procedures involved in a variety of early childhood care situations. Topics include historical perspectives; professionalism; guidance; developmentally appropriate practices; learning environment (including all children); cultural diversity; and licensing, accreditation, and credentialin1914ECCE1103Child Growth and Development3Introduces the student to the physical, social, emotional, and cognitive development of the young child (prenatal through 12 years of age).
The course provides for competency development in observing, recording, and interpreting growth and development stages in the young child; advancing physical and intellectual competence; supporting social and emotional development; and examining relationships between child development and positive guidance. Topics include developmental characteristics, prenatal through age 12, developmental guidance applications, observing and recording techniques, ages and stages of development, and introduction to children with special needs.1915ECCE1105Health, Safety and Nutrition3Introduces the theory, practices, and requirements for establishing and maintaining a safe, healthy learning environment. Topics include CPR and first aid, health issues, safety issues, child abuse and neglect, and nutritional needs of children1916ECCE1112Curriculum and Assessment3Provides student with an understanding of developmentally effective approaches to teaching, learning, observing, documenting and assessment strategies that promote positive development for young children. The course will enable the student to establish a learning environment appropriate for young children and to identify the goals, benefits, and uses of assessment in the development of curriculum for young children. Topics include observing, documenting, and assessing; learning environments; development of curriculum plans and
materials; curriculum approaches; and instructional media.1917ECCE1113Creative Activities-Children3Introduces the concepts related to creativity in art,music, movement and creative drama, and facilitating children's creative expression across
the curriculum. Topics include concepts of creativity and expression; theories of young children's creative development; facilitation of children's creative expression, media, methods and materials across the curriculum; appreciation of children's art processes and products; appreciation of children's creativity in music, movement and dance; appreciation of children's creative expression in play and creative drama; and art and music appreciation.1918ECCE1121Early Childhood Care Practicum3Provides the student with the opportunity to gain a supervised experience in a practicum placement site allowing demonstration of techniques obtained from course work. Practicum topics include promoting child development and learning; building family and community relationships; observing, documenting, and assessing to support young children and families; teaching and learning; becoming a professional; and guidance techniques and classroom management.1919ECCE2115Language and Literacy3Develops knowledge, skills, and abilities in supporting young children's literacy acquisition and development, birth through age twelve. Topics include developmental continuum of reading and writing, literacy acquisition birth to five years of age, literacy acquisition in kindergarten, literacy acquisition in early grades, and literacy acquisition in children who are culturally and linguistically diverse.1921ECCE2116Math and Science3Presents the process of introducing math and science concepts to young children. Includes planning and implementation of developmentally appropriate activities and development of math and science materials, media and methods. Topics include inquiry approach to learning; cognitive stages and developmental processes in developing math and science concepts with children birth to five; cognitive stages and developmental processes in developing math and science concepts with children in kindergarten and primary grades; planning math and
science activities; and development of math and science materials, media and methods.1922ECCE2202Social Issues/Family Involvmnt3Enables the student to value the complex characteristics of children's families and communities and to develop culturally responsive practices which will support family partnerships. Students use their understanding to build reciprocal relationships which promote children's development and learning. Students are introduced to local programs and agencies that offer services to children and families within the community. Topics include professional responsibilities, family/social issues, community resources, family education and support, teacherfamily communication, community partnerships, social diversity and anti-bias concerns, successful transitions, and school-family activities.1924ECCE2203Guidance/Classroom Mngment3Examines effective guidance practices in group settings based upon the application of theoretical models of child development and of developmentally appropriate practices. Focus will be given to individual, family, and cultural diversity. Topics will include developmentally appropriate child guidance (birth through 12); effective classroom management, including preventive and interventive techniques;
understanding challenging behaviors; and implementing guidance plans.1925ECCE2245Early Childhood Care and Education Internship I624575Select ECCE 2246 or 6 credit hours of guided electivesECCE2246Early Childhood Care and Education Internship II624579XXXX0000Guided Electives 69917Minimum Length of Program: 4 Term(s)Minimum Credit Hours for Graduation: 53