Early Childhood Education: Infant to Grade 4, Certificate

Overview

Program Narrative:   

The Early Childhood Certificate program qualifies you to be an Assistant Teacher or Assistant Group Supervisor (per PA DHS guidelines). Learning content and experiences enhance your ability to support all children and families through an understanding of child development, observation and assessment, teaching skills and strategies, content and curriculum development, and advocacy and professionalism. 
o This certificate can also be used toward the Associate Degree upon completion of the general education requirements.

Program Outcomes:  

• Program Outcome I: Child Development and Learning in Context: Early childhood educators are grounded in an understanding of the developmental period of early childhood from birth through age 8 across developmental domains.
• Program Outcome II: Family–Teacher Partnerships and Community Connections: Early childhood educators understand that successful early childhood education depends upon educators’ partnerships with the families of the young children they serve.
• Program Outcome III: Child Observation, Documentation, and Assessment: Early childhood educators understand that the primary purpose of assessments is to inform instruction and planning in early learning settings.
• Program Outcome IV: Developmentally, Culturally, and Linguistically Appropriate Teaching Practices: Early childhood educators understand that teaching and learning with young children is a complex enterprise, and its details vary depending on children’s ages and characteristics and on the settings in which teaching and learning occur.
• Program Outcome V: Knowledge, Application, and Integration of Academic Content in the Early Childhood Curriculum: Early childhood educators have knowledge of the content of the academic disciplines (e.g., language and literacy, the arts, mathematics, social studies, science, technology and engineering, physical education) and of the pedagogical methods for teaching each discipline.
• Standard VI: Professionalism as an Early Childhood Educator: Early childhood educators identify and participate as members of the early childhood profession through serving as serve as informed advocates for young children, for the families of the children in their care, and for the early childhood profession. 

Transfer Information: 

• This Early Childhood Certificate program provides a pathway to the AAS in ECE. Students can use this certificate toward the Associate Degree upon completion of the general education requirements. With the AAS Degree complete, students may transfer to a four-year college or university to earn a baccalaureate degree. Transfer options and course guides are found in the links below. Students are strongly encouraged to select a transfer destination as soon as possible. Students should consult with their chosen transfer institution regarding recommended courses that will transfer and be applied to their baccalaureate degree program. 

Career Information: 
• NCC’s Certificate in ECE provides hands-on experiences and ongoing field-work, allowing students to get excited about their future from the start. This program can be completed entirely online. 
• EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION CAREER PATHWAYS 
▪ Assistant Group Supervisor in Center-Based Childcare (per PA DHS Requirements)
▪ Licensed Group Childcare Provider 
▪ Licensed Family Childcare Provider 

Courses

Required Courses

Total Credit Hours: 36