You're a nurturer and teacher. Lean into those qualities with these skills.

Learn the foundational skills needed to work in a childcare setting. Start to understand and obtain the skills needed to manage a childcare facility or become a licensed educator.

Gain the knowledge, skills, and practical experience needed to provide nurturing and stimulating environments that support children's growth, learning, and well-being.

Build a rewarding career contributing to the positive development of future generations and laying the foundation for lifelong success and happiness.

Program location

  

Skills you'll learn

• Foundational knowledge of early childhood education
• Wellness checks
• Developmentally appropriate evidence-based practices to support child growth and development
• Foundational child assessment
• Foundational understanding of students with disabilities and talented and gifted students

Key classes you'll take

• Introduction to Early Childhood Education
• Educational Foundations
• Child Health, Safety, and Nutrition
• Child Growth and Development
• Infant/Toddler Care and Education
• Exploring Careers: Human Services

Where this program can take you

• Elementary Teacher (with further education)
• Secondary Education Teacher (with further education)

Keep going!

Learn advanced skills and grow your career faster. Check out our 1-year diploma and 2-year degree programs and unlock even better opportunities and higher-paying jobs.

View more Early Childhood Education programs.

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The Early Childhood Education program is designed to prepare students to secure one of the many careers available in early childhood education. Graduates of the program may work with children from birth to eight years of age in a variety of settings such as child care centers, preschools, child development homes, or public and private schools. Students may elect to complete either the Educator Licensure/Transfer Pathway or the Child Care Management Pathway of the Early Childhood Education AAS. Students who intend to teach in a Pre-K through third-grade setting will need to transfer to a teacher licensure institution. In addition, this program addresses the competencies and functional areas necessary for students to begin the assessment and testing process for the Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential administered by the Council for Early Childhood Professional Recognition. See http://www.cdacouncil.org/storage/documents/TransitionGuide_1-3-13.pdf for additional CDA Credential requirements by the Council.

*Diploma can be earned one time.

For specific information regarding program rules and expectations, please view the Early Childhood Education & Teacher Education Programs Handbook.

Summary Sheet

The summary sheet provides a program overview and other information.

Download the summary sheet.

Curriculum Sequence

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Fall Semester I	Course Title	Credit
ECE-103	Introduction to Early Childhood Education	3
EDU-212	Educational Foundations	3
EDU-920	Field Experience	2
SDV-108	The College Experience	1
ECE-133	Child Health, Safety and Nutrition	3
ENG-105	Composition I	3
Take WBL-103 as 1 credit
WBL-103	Exploring Careers: Human Services	1-3
	TOTAL CREDITS	16

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Spring Semester I	Course Title	Credit
ECE-158	Early Childhood Curriculum I	3
ECE-170	Child Growth and Development	3
EDU-245	Exceptional Learner	3
Take ECE-221 or (ART-133 and MUS-100) totaling 3 - 6 credits
ECE-221	Infant/Toddler Care and Education	3
ART-133	Drawing	3
MUS-100	Music Appreciation	3
Take 1 of 2 courses
MAT-117	Math for Elementary Teachers	3
BIO-151	Nutrition	3
	TOTAL CREDITS	15 - 18

ECE-103 - Introduction to Early Childhood Education

Lecture: 3

Credit: 3

This course is an overview of early childhood programs and curricula, historical and present, and an examination of qualities and skills necessary for working with young children.

EDU-212 - Educational Foundations

Lecture: 3

Credit: 3

This survey course is designed to examine the historical, philosophical, sociological, political, economic and legal foundations of the American public education system. Students will explore the nature of school environments, design and organization of school curriculum and characteristics of effective schools and instruction in grades P-12. Educational structures, practices and projections for the future will be studied. Corequisite: EDU-920.

EDU-920 - Field Experience

Lecture: 1

Lab: 2

Credit: 2

Field Experience provides the student an opportunity to observe a teacher in a local classroom and to work with students in that classroom under direct supervision of the cooperating teacher. Students will be required to complete 32 observation hours. The student will complete observation documents during their required hours in the classroom. Corequisite: EDU-212.

SDV-108 - The College Experience

Lecture: 1

Credit: 1

This course is designed to empower new students to successfully transition to college. Students will learn academic success skills, strategies for personal development and exploration, college culture and expectations, and how to access college resources and services.

ECE-133 - Child Health, Safety and Nutrition

Lecture: 3

Credit: 3

This course focuses on evidence-based concepts in the fields of health, safety and nutrition and their relationship to the growth and development of the young child ages birth to eight. The course blends current theory with problem solving, practical applications and assessments. The course includes collaboration with families, and assesses the role of culture, language and ability on health, safety and nutrition decisions in early childhood settings.

ENG-105 - Composition I

Lecture: 3

Credit: 3

A study of the principles of writing. Emphasis on rhetoric, mechanics and development of expository patterns: narration, description illustration, comparison/contrast, classification, process and cause/effect. Required for AA and AS Degrees. Prerequisite: Meet minimum test score requirements.

WBL-103 - Exploring Careers: Human Services

Lecture: 1-3

Credit: 1-3

This course will provide guidance in choosing a career goal and preparing for employment in Human Services careers. Emphasis will be placed on identifying interests,abilities and values and exploring options for careers. Students will learn how to access labor market information and employment trends. Additionally, students will develop the skills and aptitudes necessary to obtain employment in these fields, emphasizing the development of characteristics associated with job success.

ECE-158 - Early Childhood Curriculum I

Lecture: 3

Credit: 3

This course focuses on the development, implementation and assessment of appropriate environments and curricula for young children ages birth through eight. Students prepare to utilize evidence-based, developmentally appropriate practices in a context of children's family, culture, language and abilities. An emphasis will be placed on understanding children's developmental stages and developing appropriate learning opportunities, interactions and environments to support each child in the following areas: dramatic play, art, music and fine and gross motor play.

ECE-170 - Child Growth and Development

Lecture: 3

Credit: 3

This course reviews typical and atypical development of children from conception to adolescence in all developmental domains. Students will examine interactions between child, family and society within a variety of community and cultural contexts. The course will explore theories and evidence-based practices associated with understanding and supporting young children.

ECE-221 - Infant/Toddler Care and Education

Lecture: 3

Credit: 3

Focuses on care, education and assessment of children from birth to 36 months. Prepares students to utilize developmentally appropriate evidence-based practices including responsive caregiving, routines as curriculum, collaborative relationships with culturally, linguistically and ability diverse children and families, and a focus on the whole child in inclusive settings.

ART-133 - Drawing

Lecture: 2

Lab: 2

Credit: 3

A beginning drawing class in a variety of media using an assortment of subjects. The student will explore theories and concepts of drawing.

MUS-100 - Music Appreciation

Lecture: 3

Credit: 3

This is a general overview course which includes basic music concepts and elements of the art, a general historical look and critical approach. Music as it has evolved from the beginning to present-day is studied. This involves listening to musical examples.

MAT-117 - Math for Elementary Teachers

Lecture: 3

Credit: 3

This course is recommended for students pursuing a teaching degree in elementary education. It provides opportunities to better understand mathematical content practices as a foundation for teaching mathematics in an elementary classroom. Topics will include the NCTM Principles and Standards for School Mathematics, problem-solving strategies, set theory, number systems, operations in the real number systems, informal geometry, elementary probability, and statistics. Prerequisite: MAT-092 with a minimum grade of C- or meet minimum placement testing requirements.

BIO-151 - Nutrition

Lecture: 3

Credit: 3

This course explores nutrition as it relates to health, disease and stages of human development and life cycle. Emphasis is on essential nutrients, what they are and how they are used by the body. Food safety and food technology will be covered.

EDU-245 - Exceptional Learner

Lecture: 3

Credit: 3

This is a survey course that provides an overview of special education regulations, policies and programs in educational settings. Birth through 12th grade pre-service teachers learn the history of special education law, including IDEA and as it applies to the course with ESSA, characteristics of the categories of disabilities per federal and state regulations, characteristics of talented and gifted programs, and basic components of an IEP. This course is a required component for students seeking Birth through 12th grade teacher state licensure. Ten hours of observation will be required.

Amy Drew - Instructor - Early Childhood Education

Email: adrew@scciowa.edu
AA, Southeastern Community College
BA, Iowa Wesleyan University
MS, Walden University

Bailea Grier - Instructor - Early Childhood Education

Email: bgrier@scciowa.edu
AA, Southeastern Community College
BA, University of Northern Iowa
MA, Viterbo University
Advanced Studies Certificate as a Literacy Coach, University of Northern Iowa