Personal & Public Services
At a Glance
- Emphasis is placed on a combination of early childhood care and education theory and practical application
- Employable as a provider in childcare centers, Head Start programs, nursery schools, State Pre-K programs and public or private school settings.
- Graduates also meet minimum state licensing requirements to be Early Childhood Program Managers or Directors.
- Program length is six quarters if full time and regular student status.
- Entrance allowed quarterly.
Early Childhood Care and Education
DESCRIPTION:
The Early Childhood Care and Education associate degree program is a sequence of courses designed to prepare students for careers in the child care and related fields. Learning opportunities develop academic, technical, and professional knowledge and skills required for job acquisition, retention, and advancement. The program emphasizes a combination of early childhood care and education theory and practical application necessary for successful employment. Program graduates receive an Early Childhood Care and Education Associate in Applied Science Degree with a specialization in one of the following areas: Family Childcare Provider or Program Management.
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES:
The Early Childhood Care and Education Associate in Applied Science degree program prepares students for careers in the field of Early Childhood Care and Education. Graduates of this program are highly sought after for positions as Early Childhood program managers, supervisors, teachers, teacher's aides, and paraprofessionals. They work in State Pre-K programs, Public and Private Schools, Head Start Centers, Nursery Schools, Pre-schools, Child Development Centers, Day Care Centers, Family Child Care Homes, Recreation Programs, Early Childhood Exceptional Needs Programs and a variety of other settings where children are cared for and educated. Position qualifications vary depending upon work setting.
ADMISSIONS CRITERIA:
Attainment of 16 years of age; documentation of high school graduation or satisfaction of High School Equivalency Certificate requirements; achievement of minimum regular admission scores on tests of reading, language, and math as specified in TCSG document Minimum Entrance Scores; and completion of application and related procedures.
PROGRAM COSTS: (Program costs are estimates and are subject to change)
Application fee: $15; Tuition: $2,592; Fees: $486; Books & Supplies: $1,828.12; Annual additional insurance fee: $11.50; Other program specific costs: $15; Total Program Costs: $4,959.12
PROGRAM LENGTH:
six quarters if full time regular student.
Program Requirements
Explores the analysis of literature and articles about issues in the humanities and in society. Students practice various modes of writing, ranging from exposition to argumentation and persuasion. The course includes a review of standard grammatical and stylistic usage in proofreading and editing. An introduction to library resources lays the foundation for research. Topics include: writing analysis and practice, revision, research paper, and formatting and documentation. Students write a research paper using library resources and using a formatting and documentation style appropriate to the purpose and audience.
This course emphasizes the basics of psychology. Topics include: science of psychology; social environments; life stages; physiology and behavior; personality; emotions and motives; conflicts, stress, and anxiety; abnormal behavior; and perception, learning, and intelligence.
Emphasizes the student’s ability to read literature analytically and meaningfully and to communicate clearly. Students analyze the form and content of literature in historical and philosophical contexts. Topics include: reading and analysis of fiction, poetry, and drama; research writing, formatting and documentation, and writing about literature.
Explores the analysis of well-known works of visual arts, their composition, and the relationship to their periods through writing. Students practice various modes of writing, ranging from exposition to argumentation and persuasion. The course includes a brief review of standard grammatical and stylistic usage in proofreading and editing. An introduction to locating, acquiring, and documenting information resources lays the foundation for research. Topics include: the re-creative critical process, the themes of art, the formal elements of design, and the placing of art in the historical context, writing analysis, practice, revision, and research about a work of visual arts.
Explores the analysis of well-known works of music, their composition, and the relationship to their periods through writing. Students practice various modes of writing, ranging from exposition to argumentation and persuasion. The course includes a brief review of standard grammatical and stylistic usage in proofreading and editing. An introduction to locating, acquiring, and documenting information resources lays the foundation for research. Topics include: the creative and critical process, the themes of music, the formal elements of composition, and the placing of music in the historical context, writing analysis, practice, revision, and research about a musical composition or compositions.
Emphasizes practical knowledge of technical communications techniques, procedures, and reporting formats used in industry and business. Topics include: reference use and research, device and process description, formal technical report writing, correspondence, and technical report presentation.
This course is designed as an alternative to college algebra for those students who will not take trigonometry, pre-calculus, or calculus. It is an applications-driven course that introduces functions using real-world phenomena as models. Topics include: fundamental concepts of algebra; functions and graphs; linear, quadratic, polynomial, exponential, and logarithmic functions and models of real-world phenomena; systems of equations; and additional topics in algebra.
This course emphasizes techniques of problem solving using algebraic concepts. Topics include: fundamental concepts of algebra; equations and inequallities; functions and graphs; systems of equations; optional topics including sequences, series, and probability; and analytic geometry.
Overview course covering algebra, statistics, and mathematics of finance. Topics include: fundamental operations of algebra, sets and logic, probability and statistics, geometry, mathematics of voting and districting, and mathematics of finance.
Introduces concepts related to the responsibilities and procedures involved in a variety of early childhood care situations. This course addresses key CDA competency goals and functional areas. Topics include: historical perspectives, transtitional activities, career opportunities, work ethics, functioning in a team environment, guidance, program management, learning environment, cultural diversity, licensure and accreditation, and professional development file (portfolio) guidelines.
Introduces the student to the physical, social, emotional and cognitive development of the young child (0 through 5 years of age). Provides for competency development in observing, recording, and interpreting growth and development stages in the young child, advancing physical and intellectual competence, supporting social and emotional development and providing positive guidance. Topics include: development characteristics, observation and recording, theory and practice, guidance techniques, developmentally appropriate practice, and introduction to children with special needs.
Introduces the theory, practices, and requirements for establishing and maintaining a safe, healthy learning environment. Topics include: CPR and first aid, health issues, safety issues, child abuse and neglect, and nutritional needs of children.
Develops knowledge and skills that will enable the student to establish a learning environment appropriate for young children. Topics include: instructional media, learning environments, curriculum approaches, development of curriculum plans and materials, community resources, transitional activities, and approaches to teaching, learning and assessing.
Introduces the concepts related to creativity in art. This course combines lecture and lab experiences to introduce the many media areas used by children to express themselves. Topics include: concepts of creativity; art media, methods, and materials for creative activities; planning and preparation of art experiences; appreciation of children’s art processes and products; developmental stages in art; and art appreciation.
Introduces the concepts related to creativity in music and movement. This course combines lecture and lab experiences to introduce media, methods, and materials used to foster musical activity and creative movement. Topics include: spontaneous and planned music and movement, media, methods, and materials, coordination of music and movement; and developmental stages of music; and music appreciation.
Develops knowledge and skills that will enable the student to plan and implement developmentality appropriate listening, speaking, writing, and reading activities for young children. Topics include: reading readiness, oral communication activities, writing readiness, listening comprehension, literature selection, story presentation, and stages of language acquisition.
Presents the process of introducing science and math concepts to young children. Includes planning and implementation of appropriate activities and development of methods and techniques of delivery. Topics include: cognitive stages and developmental process in math and science, math and science activity planning, and development of math and science materials.
Provides for the development of knowledge and skills that will enable the student to understand individuals with special needs and appropriately guide their development. Special emphasis is placed on acquainting the student with programs and community resources that serve families with special needs persons. Topics include: inclusion/least restrictive environment (LRE), physical disabilities and health disorders, intellectual exceptionalities, social/emotional disorders, and community resources.
Enables the student to become familiar with social issues that affect families of today and to develop a plan for coping with these issues as they occur in the occupational environment. Students are introduced to local programs and agencies that offer services to those in need. Topics include: professional responsibilities, family/social issues, community resources, parent education and support, teacher-parent communication, community partnerships, social diversity and anti-bias issues, transitioning the child and school-family activities.
Provides the student with the opportunity to gain experience in a simulated or actual work setting. Students will be placed in an approved setting(s) throughout the quarter where planning, implementing, observing, and evaluating activities are the focus of their involvement. An evaluation procedure will be used by the designee of the institution and the on-site supervisor to critique the student’s performance. Topics include: problem solving, use of proper interpersonal skills, application of developmentally appropriate practice, professional development and resource file (portfolio) development.
Introduces the fundamental concepts and operations necessary to use microcomputers. Emphasis is placed on basic functions and familiarity with computer use. Topics include: computer terminology, introduction to the Windows environment, introduction to networking, introduction to word processing, introduction to spreadsheets, and introduction to databases.
Provides the student with the opportunity to gain supervised experience in an actual or simulated work setting allowing demonstration of techniques obtained from course work. Practicum training topics include: good work habits, supervised planning, interaction with children, parents and co-workers, application of guidance techniques, classroom management, and documentation of child’s development.
Provides the student with the opportunity to gain additional supervised experience in an actual or simulated work setting allowing demonstration of techniques obtained from care work. The course will emphasize planning and implementation of activities and physical, social, emotional and cognitive development of the child. Practicum training topics include: good work habits, application of guidance techniques, human relations, program planning, and classroom management.
Provides the guidelines, responsibilities, and appropriate practices needed for successful management of a Family Child Care Home. Topics include: rules and regulations; professional practices; and program management.
Provides guidelines and responsibilities for professional business practices associated with the successful establishment and administration of a Family Child Care Home. Topics include: business plans; budgeting; taxes; marketing, record keeping and professional qualifications.
Provides training in planning, implementation and maintenance of an effective early childhood program. Topics include: organization, mission, philosophy, goals and history of a program types of programs, laws, rules, regulations, accreditation, and program evaluation; needs assessment; administrative roles and boards of directors; marketing, public and community relations; grouping, enrollment and retention; working with parents; professionalism and work ethics; and time and stress management.
Provides training in early childhood facilities management. Topics include: space management; money management; and program equipment and supplies management.
Provides training in personnel management in early childhood settings. Topics include: staff records; communication; personnel planning; personnel policies; managing payroll; recruitment, selection, interviewing, hiring, motivating, firing and staff retention; staff scheduling; staff development; providing guidance and supervision; conflict resolution; and staff evaluation.
