Early Care and Education Programs

Early childhood programs are designed to provide graduates with immediate employment in the early childhood industry or prepare graduates for transfer to articulating colleges.

Early Childhood Requirements

All students enrolling in Early Childhood Development programs must meet the following requirements:

  • Furnish information and fees (approximately $50) for background checks conducted through Verified Credentials.
  • Social Security Report (address locator)
  • Criminal background check for places of residence for prior seven (7) years
  • Check of the Sexual/Violent Offender RegistryCheck of any other registry or records required by law, accrediting agency or specific facility.
  • Furnish a copy of a current physical exam on the Health Sciences Division form.
  • Purchase and maintain professional liability insurance with the College (approximately $5 annually).
  • Purchase and maintain the school-provided uniform as required by a program.
  • Provide or arrange own transportation to laboratory sites.
  • Furnish equipment as required for specific courses.
  • Maintain a minimum 2.0 GPA
  • Earn a minimum of "C" in each early childhood course. Students may retake a course only once to earn the minimum grade of "C".

Core Performance Standards to Ensure Attainment of Competencies in Early Childhood Development Programs

With reasonable accommodations, the student should be able to demonstrate the following abilities:

  • Critical thinking ability sufficient for laboratory judgment (e.g., identifies cause-effect relationships in laboratory situations, assesses interactivity on the playground and classroom, etc.)
  • Interpersonal abilities sufficient to interact with individuals, families, and groups from a variety of social, emotional, cultural, and intellectual backgrounds (e.g., establishes rapport with families/children and colleagues.)
  • Communication abilities sufficient for interaction with others in verbal and written form.
  • Physical abilities sufficient to move from room to room and maneuver in small spaces (e.g., moves around in rooms, work spaces, and play areas; administers cardiopulmonary resuscitation procedures; position themselves in the laboratory environment so as to render vital care to children without obstructing the positioning of necessary equipment or other child care workers, etc.)
  • Gross and fine motor abilities sufficient to provide safe and effective child care (e.g., uses equipment, etc.)
  • Auditory ability sufficient to monitor and assess child care needs (e.g., hears monitor alarm, emergency signals and a range of sounds necessary to assess child status, cries for help.)
  • Visual ability sufficient for observation and assessment necessary in child care (e.g., observes child physical condition, etc.)
  • Tactile ability sufficient for physical assessment (e.g., performs functions of physical examination and/or those related to therapeutic interventions, i.e., assessing a child’s health status.)
  • Sufficient stamina to participate in activities requiring large muscle skills including being able to move quickly, (e.g., lift children, equipment, and supplies up to 50 pounds.)
  • Emotional stability and psychological health in the interaction with children, families, colleagues, and College personnel.

Note: Examples are not all inclusive.

Student Reimbursement for Laboratory Experience. Students are not reimbursed for laboratory expenses while completing the laboratory component of a program.