Early Education & Child Development, Career, A.S. (686)

Associate of Science

This program prepares students for positions working with infants, children, adolescents and their families in a variety of workforce settings outside of teacher certification.

Students learn about developmentally appropriate practices in direct care and education, diversity when working with children and their families and techniques for working with children who have special needs. Through classes, weekly field observations and practicums, students learn about professionalism, human development, health, mental health, infant and child care agencies, family relationships, laws and regulations governing the welfare of children and their families and community resources available for working with children and their families.

Upon successful completion of the program, the graduate will:

1. Integrate appropriate theories and practices to create, implement and evaluate developmentally effective experiences for children and their families.
2. Work with children of diverse ages, abilities and cultures in multiple field experiences in childcare and educational environments as they identify community resources to support children and their families.
3. Apply appropriate observation and assessment strategies to positively influence children’s development and learning as they employ appropriate discipline terminology and professional tone in written and oral communication.
4. Utilize student-prepared tools and strategies that reflect content and pedagogical knowledge of intentional and responsive practice.
5. Identify core values and ethical behavior standards of the profession by exercising sensitivity, professionalism, confidentiality and competency when interacting with children, families, co-workers, community representatives and policy agents.

CCAC Early Education and Child Development (ECD) program learning objectives align with the NAEYC Professional Standards and Competencies for Early Childhood Educators (2021) .

Weekly observations are required. Students must have three current clearances: FBI Fingerprint Clearance, a Pennsylvania State Police Criminal History Clearance, and a Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare Child Abuse History Clearance and meet the local requirements of the field placement site, including the National Sex Offender Registry (NSOR) Verification Clearance.

Career opportunities exist in infant/toddler centers, home-family support roles, early childhood programs, nursery schools, pre-school programs, before and after school programs and paraprofessional positions in private and public schools, hospitals, therapeutic day care and residential centers, group homes, community living arrangements and private homes. Upon completion of this program, students may seek employment as a childcare practitioner or early childhood educator in the workforce setting outside of teacher certification as this program is the career program for the Early Education & Child Development workforce.