2017-2018 Academic Catalog 
    
    Dec 09, 2024  
2017-2018 Academic Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Early Childhood Education, AAS


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Program Description

Code 215 - 62-63 Credits

The Early Childhood Education program prepares individuals to work in the early childhood education field as preschool teachers, lead infant/toddler teachers, child care providers, home child care providers, early childhood paraprofessionals, program directors, and assistant teachers. The program is competency-based teaching students how to design, manage, and apply developmentally appropriate programming for children ages birth to eight years based on the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) standards of quality for associate degree programs. Some of the potential work settings may include: schools, preschools, Head Start, and non-profit organizations. Some field work experience is required. This curriculum leads to an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Early Childhood Education and is designed for career entry and/or educational advancement.

Accreditation and State Board Approved

The Kellogg Community College Early Childhood Education program is accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children https://www.naeyc.org/accreditation.

Prerequisite Requirements

Students should see the individual course descriptions for specific prerequisite information. All students are encouraged to contact the Early Childhood and Teacher Education program with questions. Students registering for Early Childhood Education courses will need to successfully pass a criminal background check and a State of Michigan Department of Human Services Child Abuse and Neglect Registry (CANR) according to College and Department policy. This CANR must be renewed every three years. Students with criminal histories are encouraged to speak with the Early Childhood and Teacher Education program before registering for ECE courses.

Professional Certifications


The Child Development Associate (CDA) is a credential awarded by the Council for Early Childhood Professional Recognition headquartered in Washington, DC. The CDA recognizes skills of early caregivers and education professionals. It is designed for individuals who have work experience in early child care settings. The CDA represents a national effort to credential qualified caregivers who work with children ages birth to five.

The CDA is different from the associate degree in Early Childhood Education conferred by KCC. KCC provides classes for academic credit that may be applied toward the completion of CDA education and training requirements. KCC does NOT award the CDA credential.

The Council for Early Childhood Professional Recognition sets CDA assessment procedures and candidate requirements. KCC offers training toward the completion of the Direct Assessment CDA credential procedure. All interested students need to meet with the Early Childhood and Teacher Education department prior to registering for classes. For more information call (269) 965-3931, extension 2109.

The following courses are recommendations. Other early childhood courses may apply toward the completion of CDA training requirements. To extend your preparation for the CDA, it is recommended that CDA candidates take ECE 224   along with ECE 232   or ECE 233  , depending on the CDA setting of your choice.

Information:


In order for work experience to be used toward completing the requirements of the Early Childhood Education internships, it must be observable and in an approved setting.

For more information, contact the Early Childhood and Teacher Education department at 269-965-3931, extension 2109 or visit http://www.kellogg.edu/academics/areasofstudy/teacher-education-early-childhood-education/early-childhood-education/.

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