Early Childhood Education

The Early Childhood Education (ECE) program offers a comprehensive course of study to prepare students for career and job opportunities in early education and care of young children from diverse family backgrounds.Includes instruction in parent education as well as preparation for employment in child development centers, family child-care settings, preschools, before- and after-school care programs, programs for children with special needs, and other ECE related-programs in the community.  

The ECE curriculum provides coursework with specializations in administration of ECE programs, infant/toddler development and care, advanced ECE curriculum, and special needs.  Students will be eligible to meet Department of Social and Employment Services Title 22 and Education Code Title 5 licensing regulations for teaching personnel and administrative staff in private and public child development programs and agencies.  

As a result of ongoing changes of laws, mandates, and licensing regulations for teaching personnel and ECE programs, certificate and degree requirements may also change. If you note changes in degrees or certificate requirements, or if courses are not offered in a particular semester, please consult with a counselor or faculty on how best to complete the program AND/OR CHILD DEVELOPMENT PERMIT in which you are enrolled.  

For detailed requirements for individual four-year institutions, students should contact the transfer institution and/or meet with a counselor for specific transfer course requirements in their major.

PROGRAM LEARNING OUTCOMES

Upon successful completion of the Early Childhood Education program, a student should be able to:

• plan and organize activities in a safe and healthy learning environment for optimum development of all young children in groups of 12 to 24 children.

• assess and evaluate all children and learning environments to write reports according to state mandated guidelines. 

• work with families and their children to build respectful, supportive relationships for optimum growth and development of young children. 

• connect with community agencies and programs to support children, families, and the early education and care profession.