Early Childhood Education

Program: Early Childhood Education
Award: Associate of Applied Science
Plan Code: 636
CIP Code: 19.0709
Length: 62 credit hours; the program is designed for both full-time and part-time students.
Locations: Franklin, Suffolk, Smithfield. Program courses are offered online, hybrid, and hyflex.
G3: Approved for G3
Lead Faculty: Jocelyn Gilchrist

Purpose

This program of study is designed to prepare students for the care, supervision, and education of young children from birth to eight years. This degree is a pathway to a Baccalaureate degree with the option of teacher licensure with a PreK-3 endorsement. Individuals already working in the field may up-grade their skills and qualify for advancement.

Occupational Objectives

Upon completion of the Early Childhood Development Associates degree, graduates possess the knowledge and skills required for entry into the Early Childhood field:

• Childcare/Preschool/After-School Director
• Childcare/Preschool/After-School Manager
• Childcare/Preschool/After-School Teacher
• Early Head Start/Head Start Teacher
• Teacher’s Assistant
• Substitute Teacher

Program Student Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the program, students will be able to:

• Recognize the stages of early childhood development.
• Create positive ways to build self-esteem in children and to help them develop self-control.
• Illustrate developmentally appropriate techniques and methods for encouraging the development of math, science, and social studies.
• Utilize the arts and other creative developmentally appropriate activities for young children.
• Demonstrate the planning and implementation of programs in group-care with emphasis on health and safety policies, record-keeping, and reporting to parents.
• Implement the theory and practice in movement and music education into an integrated curriculum.
• Use developmentally appropriate practices to plan activities to stimulate the logical thinking skills in curriculum.

Admission Requirements: General Admission to the college is required.

Program Requirements: Students should be advised that many agencies require a criminal background check through the Virginia State Police Department and a child abuse check through the Virginia Department of Social Services before employment involving contact with young children. In addition, some childcare facilities and schools may require proof of specific vaccinations and health related tests for students to complete their supervised workplace experiences.

Students in Early Childhood Development, in addition to meeting the requirements of the College for graduation, must also successfully complete all CHD courses with a minimum grade of “C.” Several of the CHD courses require field observations and/or participation, which may require students to be available during regular operating hours of early childhood settings.