The Early Childhood Education curriculum prepares individuals to work with children from birth through age eight 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 child growth and development; physical/nutritional needs of children; care and guidance of children; and communication skills with families 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 child-care 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 initial 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 a 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 Check). The N.C. Division of Child Development requires completers of EDU 111 and EDU 112 or EDU 119 to be high school or GED graduates before issuing the North Carolina Early Childhood Credentials.

Students with a felony conviction may have limited certification and employment opportunities and may not be able to complete the Early Childhood Education degree.