Early Childhood Education

Curriculum/Degree Requirements

The early childhood education associate of applied science degree program prepares students to provide high-quality care and education of young children from birth through age 8. The mission of the Early Childhood Education program at Monroe County Community College is to prepare students for employment in the early childhood education field and for articulation to advanced degree programs in early childhood education. This is accomplished through the provision of classroom learning and practical application in field experiences. These experiences will be provided in multiple settings across varied age ranges and diversity of children and families.

Certificate Requirements

The early childhood education certificate program is designed for students who will work with and teach young children. Students may use this curriculum to meet state licensing requirements to provide child care in homes, centers and other facilities or for positions as assistant teachers in child care programs. A minimum of 32 credit hours is required for the early childhood education certificate. Courses for the certificate can be applied toward the associate degree.

CDA Credential Requirements

The Child Development Associate (CDA) is a national credential earned by individuals working with young children from birth to five years of age in child care settings. The CDA credential is based on a core set of competency standards, which guide early care professionals as they work to becoming qualified teachers of young children. The candidate must document 120 clock-hours of formal training through course work, 480 clock-hours of current experience working with young children, and complete documentation as required by the Council for Professional Recognition. MCCC courses provide the training required for the CDA and may be applied toward the associate degree or certificate programs. Please note that MCCC does not award the CDA credential. See the Council for Professional Recognition website for more information (www.cdacouncil.org).

Early Childhood Education Program Mission

The mission of the Early Childhood Education Program is to prepare students for employment in the early childhood education field and for articulation to advanced degree programs in early childhood education. This is accomplished through the provision of classroom learning and practical application in field experiences. These experiences will be provided in multiple settings across varied age ranges and diversity of children and families.

Early Childhood Education Student Learning Outcomes

At the completion of the program of study, graduates will be able to:

1. Utilize knowledge of child development to support and nurture children in their development and learning environments.
2. Demonstrate respectful and reciprocal interactions and relationships with diverse children, families, staff, and communities to support child development and learning.
3. Apply systematic observation and varied documentation and assessment strategies to support child development and learning.
4. Develop curriculum for young children based on knowledge of academic subject areas to support child development and learning.
5. Utilize developmentally appropriate approaches and strategies to enhance child development and learning.
6. Demonstrate professionalism through adherence to the ethical and professional standards of the early childhood education profession.

These outcomes are aligned with the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) Standards for Early Childhood Professional Preparation.

Early Childhood Education Program Pathways

Monroe County Community College offers several program pathways in early childhood education. Each pathway focuses on the components of developmentally based early childhood education and care in various settings across all age levels. These program pathways include a certificate program (32 credits) and an associate degree of applied science (60 credits). The student may also use program courses to pursue the Child Development Associate (CDA) as awarded by the National Council for Professional Recognition. Additionally, students may use the program courses to articulate with higher education institutions to pursue a degree in Early Childhood Education or teacher certification. Transfer students should follow transfer guides provided in the College Catalog.

Accreditation

The Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education at Monroe County Community College is accredited by the Commission on the Accreditation of Early Childhood Higher Education Programs of the National Association for the Education of Young Children, 1401 H St. NW, Suite 600, Washington, D.C., 20005, (202) 232-8777. The accreditation term runs from Spring 2018 through Spring 2025.