Early Childhood Education

[A55220] Associate in Applied Science Degree (Day)
[A55220] Associate in Applied Science Degree (Evening)
[D55220] Diploma (Day)
[D55220] Diploma (Evening)
[C55220] Certificate (Day & Evening)
[C55290] Infant/Toddler Certificate (Day, Evening & Online)

The Early Childhood Education 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.

Course work includes child 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.

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.

EARLY CHILDHOOD CREDENTIALS TRACK FOR STATE CERTIFICATES

Under the credentials track, there are two options, depending upon the need of the student:

In order to meet the minimum North Carolina credential requirements to teach in a childcare
center, students must take EDU 119 (Early Childhood Education).
Early Childhood Administration Credential I & II - This program of study involves taking 12
semester hours of courses, specifically EDU 261 (Early Childhood Administration Credential I),
EDU 262 (Early Childhood Administration Credential II) and seven additional semester hours of
courses (2-4 courses depending on which courses are taken). Completion of these courses will meet
the minimum credential requirement to be a director of a childcare center.

CERTIFICATE, DIPLOMA AND DEGREE TRACKS

Early Childhood certificates may be obtained in three areas - Early Childhood Education Certificate (18 semester hours of academic credit), Early Childhood Administrative Certificate (20 semester hours of academic credit) and Infant/Toddler Care Certificate (16 semester hours of academic credit).

The Early Childhood Education diploma may be obtained by taking 16 courses, earning a total of 39 semester hours of academic credit.

The Early Childhood Education degree may be earned in two years as a full-time day student or in three years as a part-time evening student. Degree students earn 64 hours of academic credit.

SCHOOL-AGE PROGRAM TRACK

Two courses are required for teachers and administrators of school-age programs: EDU 145 (Child Development II), offered each spring semester and EDU 235 (School-Age Development & Program), offered each fall semester. These courses teach the basic principles of typical and atypical development in school-age children, and equip the student to design and implement a developmentally appropriate curriculum for school-age children.

For students in the school-age program track of study, EDU 144 is not a prerequisite for EDU 145. Completion of these two courses will meet the state’s educational requirements for school-age program providers.

COMPETENCIES

Randolph Community College is committed to continuous improvement through program evaluation. One part of the evaluation is to assess program competencies. While our program contains many competencies for students to master, each year a select few are chosen for assessment purposes.

This year, program competency assessment will focus on:

Plan developmentally appropriate activities for children 0-8.
Use appropriate guidance techniques for children.
Demonstrate leadership skills in teaching.