Early Childhood Associate

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

Course work includes child growth and development; physical/nutritional needs of children; care and guidance of children; and communication skills with parents 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.

What skills will I learn?

Knowledge of Child Growth and Development, Physical/Nutritional Needs of Children, Care and Guidance of Children, Communication Skills with Children and Parents.

What job opportunities will I have?

Employment Opportunities include becoming an owner/operator of a daycare center, or a teacher’s assistant in a special-needs public or private school. The NC Smart Start Program also offers job opportunities for graduates.

What tools or equipment will I be exposed to?

Personal Computers, Audio-visual Equipment, Laminating and Copying Machines

With additional training what other kinds of jobs could I get?

Public or Private School Teacher.

Advanced level of job opportunities?

Principal, Vice-Principle, Counselor, College Instructor, Positions with NC Smart Start Program.

Required Courses

There are several options for students taking Early Childhood Education – following are downloadable checklists covering each course option:

The checklist for the Infant Care Certificate.

The checklist for the School Age Care Certificate.

The checklist for the Early Childhood Associates Degree.

The checklist for the Early Childhood Diploma program.