Early Childhood Education

The Early Childhood Education curriculum prepares individuals to work with children from birth through eight in diverse learning environments. Students will combine learned theories with practice in actual settings with young children under the supervision of qualified teachers.

Coursework includes child growth and development; physical/nutritional needs of children; care and guidance of children; and communication skills with families and children. Students will foster the cognitive/language, physical/motor, social/emotional, and creative development of young children.

Graduates are prepared to plan and implement developmentally appropriate programs in early childhood settings. Employment opportunities include child development and child care programs, preschools, public and private schools, recreational centers, Head Start Programs, and school-age programs. Students should consult their advisor for information about course scheduling.

This program is nationally-accredited by the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR THE EDUCATION OF YOUNG CHILDREN (NAEYC). The competencies that follow align with the NAEYC standards and are compatible with the Strategic Goals of WPCC.

Upon successful completion of this program, the student should be able to:

• Design meaningful, challenging curriculum for all children
• Create healthy, respectful, supportive, and challenging environments for each child
• Identify developmentally appropriate strategies that create respectful, reciprocal relationships for families and communities
• Demonstrate responsible use of systematic observations, documentations, and other effective assessment strategies
• Apply ethical guidelines and professional standards to make sound educational decisions

Program Graduation Policy

Early Childhood Education requires a high level of professionalism, knowledge, and identification with the field when interacting with children, families, co-workers, and the community. As a result, students enrolled in this nationally-accredited Early Childhood program must continuously demonstrate growth in and development of ethical and professional conduct, as well as, application of knowledge and skills through service with and in teaching young children and their families. Therefore, to graduate from the program, students in the Early Childhood Education program are required to attain the following:

• Complete 20 hours of documented service outside of coursework through direct or indirect service with children, families, or agencies which serve children and families.
• Earn grades of "C" or higher in core and other required major hour courses. Students earning less than a "C" in any core or other required major hour course must repeat that course to raise the grade to a "C" or higher.
• Have a GPA of 2.0 or higher for all coursework at the end of the program of study.

Furthermore, before participating in a practicum experience, students may be required to submit to a criminal records check, a TB test, and/or attest to physical fitness. These requirements are at the discretion of the cooperating placement site.