Early Childhood, A.A.S.

Degree: Associate in Applied Science
HEGIS Code: 5503
Curriculum Code: 1327.ECE
Business & Public Service Division

Pre-Admission Recommendations: HS or HSE (High School Equivalency) Diploma
Recommended H.S. Courses and/or Experiences: English Electives, 2 years Math, Biology, Human Relations
Career Opportunities/Further Education:  Day care centers, nursery schools, Early Childhood centers/ transfer to 4-year teacher education programs

Program Description

Research shows that care and education during the early childhood period determines later academic success for children. The demand for competent early childhood professionals is constant. The Early Childhood Program prepares students to either assume positions in the early childhood community immediately upon graduation or to continue their formal education at a four-year institution. All students are welcome in this curriculum: full-time, part-time, matriculated and non-matriculated, those taking 12 credits of Early Childhood coursework to meet OCFS NYS licensing regulations, and those seeking the B-2 extension to an existing 1-6 NYS Teacher Certification.

The Early Childhood Program provides students with a well-rounded education while they learn specifically about teaching and caring for young children.  Students gain practical experience with infants, toddlers, and preschoolers in a variety of high quality Early Childhood programs in the Western NY community as part of their curriculum. Program students take Early Childhood, liberal arts and social science courses. Early Childhood courses are a series of education courses each paired with a field experience (lab) course, culminating in a six-credit field placement and seminar capstone course in the final semester. Early Childhood courses are based on NAEYC developmentally appropriate practice theory, NYS Early Learning Guidelines and the NYS Core Body of Knowledge. The liberal arts and science courses taken depend on the individual student’s educational and professional goals and are carefully chosen with an Early Childhood adviser each semester.

The first two Early Childhood lab experiences are generally offered day and evening, depending on enrollment. The third lab and student teaching are offered only during the day; but the seminar portion for student teaching is offered in the evening, depending on the semester and need. Students already working in the field may apply for a waiver or LEAP credit for Labs I or III, depending on experience. All of the other required Early Childhood courses are offered both day and evening.

Graduates are employed in early childhood positions in the community. These include, but are not limited to, positions in early childhood centers and programs, day care centers, preschool programs, pre-k programs,  nursery schools, Head Start and Early Head Start programs, before- and after-school programs, family day care programs, residential setting programs, special education programs, agencies specializing in the care of infants and young children and positions as nannies.  Many of our graduates are recruited directly from their student teaching experience.

Articulation Agreements

Articulation agreements with the Child Care Resource Network CDA, and Erie I BOCES facilitate transfer of credit into the Erie Community College Early Childhood Department. CDA graduates who have successfully completed the CCRN’s CDA program receive credit for CC 200, CC 201, CC 204, and possibly CC 205. High school graduates who have completed the Early Childhood program through Erie I BOCES with a final average of 85 or better receive credit for CC 200, CC 201, and CC 260.  

Advanced Studies Agreements

The Early Childhood Department has Advanced Studies agreements with Erie I BOCES and Orleans/Niagara BOCES which enables students to earn transcripted college credit for their studies in the Erie I or Orleans Niagara BOCES Early Childhood classes.

Transfer Agreements

The Erie Community College Early Childhood Department has transfer agreements with several area colleges. The agreements facilitate the transfer of Erie Community College Early Childhood graduates into designated four-year programs at Canisius University, Daemen College, Niagara University, SUNY Buffalo State, SUNY Fredonia, and SUNY University of Buffalo.  Beginning Fall 2015, students planning to transfer into a 4 year NYS teacher education program must have a 3.0 GPA.

Special Admission Requirements/Prerequisites

Early Childhood students must be exempt from, or have satisfactorily completed developmental reading and writing courses before enrolling in required early childhood courses in the program. Students must maintain a grade of “C” in all early childhood courses. (A “C-” or a “D” in an Early Childhood course indicates that the course must be repeated to remain in the Early Childhood curriculum.) As a prerequisite of the lab experiences, students must be able to satisfy health and other requirements of the Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) New York State Day Care Licensing regulations. The department reserves the right to deny acceptance into or require withdrawal from the Early Childhood Program when students have an incomplete or unacceptable medical report of physical and/or mental health or do not meet the requirements requested by OCFS or the licensed day care centers, Head Start or Early Head Start programs, family day care homes and public schools used for lab placements by the Early Childhood Department.

Program Competencies

Upon graduation with an Associate in Applied Science degree in Early Childhood, the graduate will be able to:

1. produce objective observations of young children’s behavior;
2. adhere to  NYS Early Learning Guidelines to authentically assess children;
3. demonstrate the classroom skills necessary to be an effective early childhood teacher including effective supervision, classroom management skills, interpersonal skills, self-assessment and professionalism; and
4. demonstrate the teaching skills necessary to prepare, plan and implement a safe, healthy and developmentally appropriate environment for young children to drive intentional instruction according to NAEYC Developmentally Appropriate Practice.

Curriculum

Total Degree Credits: 61-63