Early Childhood Education:  Teacher Associate

Course and Hour Requirements:

• Degree
• Diploma

FOLDER - distance learning opportunities at community colleges in North Carolina

Program Description:

Teacher Associate is a concentration under the curriculum title of Early Childhood Education.  This 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.

Program Outcomes:

Course work includes childhood 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.

Occupational Outlook:

Graduates are prepared to plan and implement developmentally appropriate programs in early childhood settings.  Employment opportunities include child development and childcare programs, preschools, public and private schools, recreational centers, Head Start Programs, and school-age programs.

Additional Information:

Prior to the work experience assignment, the student shall furnish a statement, signed by a licensed physician that indicates the student is emotionally and physically fit to care for children. An annual test showing each student to be free of active tuberculosis is required.

Effective January 1, 1996, the General Assembly passed legislation requiring all child care providers to receive criminal history records check. All students prior to the work experience must submit to the ECH director a Certified Criminal History Check from the Clerk of Superior Court's office and a completed fingerprint card for submission to the State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) for criminal history check. (Section 2700 of Subchapter 3U — Child Day Care Rules on Criminal Records Checks.  Students with a felony conviction may have limited certification and employment opportunities and may not be able to complete the Early Childhood Education:  Teacher Associate degree.