Early Care and Education - Child Care Professional

Associate in Applied Science in Early Care and Education

Child Care Professional Career Path

66 Credit Hours

The Early Care and Education program provides a solid foundation for graduates so that they may use developmentally appropriate, research-based and current knowledge in early care and education to build intentional teaching skills. Students gain quality intentional early learning experiences as well as understanding the responsibility of the professional in the field of early care and education. Off-campus observation and field experiences are provided in varied settings that allow for quality practical and hands-on experiences. Upon successful completion of the program, each student will have the tools that will make them intentional teachers and caregivers.

The Child Care Professional career path prepares students to work as teachers in child care centers or as teacher assistants in a public school early childhood program. Students learn to teach children birth through age five and develop knowledge and skills required to promote optimal development for all children, including all backgrounds and abilities. This career path also prepares students to operate child care centers or to work in supervisory, management or administrative positions in the early care and education field. This career path does not lead to teacher certification for public school teachers.

Students can earn only one ECD degree in a single career path.

Accreditation

National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) Commission on the Accreditation of Early Childhood Higher Education Programs.
1401 H Street NW, Suite 600
Washington, DC 20005-4101
(800) 424-2460

General Education Core Requirements

ENG 101	English Composition I	3
Lec: 3 Lab: 0 Credit:3 This course is a study of composition in conjunction with appropriate literary selections, with frequent theme assignments to reinforce effective writing. It also reviews standard usage and presents basic research techniques.Learn More Prerequisites RWR 100 with a minimum grade of C or appropriate placement

IDS 109	First Year Experience Seminar	3
Lec: 3 Lab: 0 Credit:3 This course introduces students to interdisciplinary thinking, academic integrity and the philosophy of the liberal arts and sciences education. Students develop skills to be academically successful: connecting to campus resources, improving information literacy and practicing integrative learning.Learn More Prerequisites RWR 100 (or equivalent) with a minimum grade of C or appropriate placement scores.

REQ HUM

Select from Humanities

REQ MAT

Select from Mathematics/Natural Sciences

REQ SSC

Select from Behavioral/Social Sciences

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Major Requirements

ECD 101	Introduction to Early Childhood	3
Lec: 3 Lab: 0 Credit:3 This course gives an overview of growth and development, developmentally appropriate curriculum, positive guidance techniques, regulations, health, safety and nutrition standards. Course content highlights the importance of professionalism, family cultural values and practical applications based on historical and theoretical models in early care and education.Learn More

ECD 102	Growth and Development I	3
Lec: 3 Lab: 0 Credit:3 This course is an extensive study of philosophies and theories of growth and development of infants and toddlers. Focus is on total development of the child, with emphasis on physical, social, emotional, cognitive and nutritional areas. Developmental tasks and appropriate activities are explored in the course.Learn More Prerequisites ECD 101

ECD 105	Guidance-Classroom Management	3
Lec: 3 Lab: 0 Credit:3 This course is an overview of developmentally appropriate, effective guidance and classroom management techniques for the teacher of young children. A positive, proactive approach is stressed.Learn More Prerequisites ECD 101 and RWR 100

ECD 107	Exceptional Children	3
Lec: 3 Lab: 0 Credit:3 This course includes an overview of children with special needs and their families. Emphasis is on the prevalence of disorders, treatment modalities, community resources serving exceptional children, the teacher’s role in mainstreaming and early identification, and federal legislation affecting exceptional children.Learn More Prerequisites ECD 101 or departmental approval

ECD 108	Family and Community Relations	3
Lec: 3 Lab: 0 Credit:3 This course is an overview of techniques and materials promoting effective family/program partnerships to foster positive child development. Emphasis is on availability and accessibility of community resources, and on developing appropriate communication skills.Learn More Prerequisites ECD 101

ECD 109	Administration and Supervision	3
Lec: 3 Lab: 0 Credit:3 This course is a study of the role and responsibilities of an early childhood administrator. Special focus is on monetary matters; space management; curriculum; health and food services; and relations among the public, staff and parents.Learn More Prerequisites ECD 203

ECD 131	Language Arts	3
Lec: 3 Lab: 0 Credit:3 This course is a study of methods and materials in age-appropriate language experiences. Opportunities are provided to develop listening, speaking, prereading and prewriting skills through planning, implementation, and evaluation of media, methods, techniques and equipment. Methods to select, evaluate and present children’s literature are included.Learn More Prerequisites ECD 101

ECD 132	Creative Experiences	3
Lec: 3 Lab: 0 Credit:3 In this course, the importance of creativity and independence in creative expression is stressed. A variety of age-appropriate media, methods, techniques and equipment are utilized. Students plan, implement and evaluate instructional activities.Learn More

ECD 133	Science and Math Concepts	3
Lec: 3 Lab: 0 Credit:3 This course includes an overview of pre-number and science concepts that are developmentally appropriate for young children. Emphasis is on the planning, implementation and evaluation of developmentally appropriate activities utilizing a variety of methods and materials.Learn More Prerequisites ECD 101

ECD 135	Health, Safety and Nutrition	3
Lec: 3 Lab: 0 Credit:3 This course covers a review of health and safety practices recommended for child care and includes information on common diseases and health problems. Certification preparation is provided in pediatric safety, CPR and First Aid. Guidelines and information on nutrition and developmentally appropriate activities also are studied in the course.Learn More Prerequisites ECD 101

ECD 140	Early Childhood Practicum I	2
Lec: 1 Lab: 3 Credit:2 This course includes experiences and opportunities to apply early childhood principles and practices in observing and participating in the care of young children under the supervision of the teacher. Various types of child development facilities are used in the course. (Basic)Learn More Prerequisites ECD 133 or ECD 255 and ECD 132 or EDU 205 and

ECD 201	Principles of Ethics and Leadership in Early Care	3
Lec: 3 Lab: 0 Credit:3 This course includes an overview of historical views on leadership and issues and challenges of leadership in early care and education. Emphasis is on current trends and issues. This course also reviews ethical principles as they relate to children, families, colleagues, the community and society.Learn More Prerequisites ENG 101 and 27 ECD credits, to include ECD 102 and ECD 203

ECD 203	Growth and Development II	3
Lec: 3 Lab: 0 Credit:3 This course is an in-depth study of preschool children growing and developing in today’s world. Focus is on total development of the child with emphasis on physical, social, emotional, cognitive and nutritional areas of development. Developmental tasks and appropriate activities are explored.Learn More Prerequisites ECD 102

ECD 237	Methods and Materials	3
Lec: 3 Lab: 0 Credit:3 This course includes an overview of developmentally appropriate methods and materials for planning, implementing and evaluating environments. Emphasis is on integrating divergent activities in each curriculum area.Learn More Prerequisites ECD 131 and ECD 203

ECD 243	Supervised Field Experience I	3
Lec: 1 Lab: 6 Credit:3 This course includes emphasis on planning, implementing and evaluating scheduled programs, age-appropriate methods, materials, activities and environments of early childhood principles and practices.Learn More

ECD 252	Diversity Issues in Early Care and Education	3
Lec: 3 Lab: 0 Credit:3 This course meets the growing need for students in early care and education to learn how to interact with people who are different from them. It also allows students to examine and appreciate the differences that exist because of diversity from race, language, ethnicity, age and socioeconomic levels.Learn More Prerequisites ECD 102

EDU 241	Learners and Diversity	4
Lec: 3 Lab: 3 Credit:4 This course is a study of lifespan development and learning with an emphasis on individual and group diversity. The students are required to participate in a field experience. Within the parameters of an approved articulation agreement, this course may transfer to an accredited education program at a comprehensive four-year college or university.Learn More Prerequisites ECD 203

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Admission Requirements

Admission into this program requires proof of high school graduation (or GED) and qualifying placement levels.

Note: The Early Care and Education associate degree also requires the following requirements as prerequisites to labs in licensed child care centers and/or public schools: a health assessment denoting good heath, a negative tuberculosis skin test, compliance with technical standards, and a clear criminal background check by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED). In addition to SLED background checks, some child development centers and schools may require fingerprinting. Students entering these laboratory or off campus observation courses may opt to be fingerprinted. Fingerprinting and a SLED background check are required for the Early Care and Education workforce.