Program Overview

Graduates of BCCC’s Early Childhood Education Program are fully qualified for certification as directors, or senior staff members of child-care programs. They may also work as paraprofessionals in public schools, in hospital child-life programs, and as teachers or assistant teachers in several federal programs. Students are able to expand their job opportunities byearning a certificate in Special Education Assistant, in addition to the Associate’s degree in Early Childhood Education.

The course of study includes: theories of child development and programming for children, theoretical coursework, supervised field placement, and observation. Students are encouraged to develop their skills and techniques, for working with small groups of children in activities such as music, art, storytelling, science, and mathematics. Students learn to create and plan instruction based on individual and group needs, and have the opportunity to work with different staff members and groups.

NOTE: ECE students who have taken ECE 112 (Child Growth and Development) and ECE 113 (Activities and Materials) are exempt from ECE 100 (Introduction to Child Development) only; they are required to enrolled in ECE 101. The prerequisites for ECE 101 is English 101.

• Minimum educational requirement of an Associate Art’s degree in early childhood or a related field that includes 18 credit hours in early childhood education development and possesses the infant and toddler certificate or course.
  
  
• Prefer one year experience in a child care setting caring for infant and toddlers with ability to adapt curriculum to meet the needs of all children including at risk, special needs, gifted, and culturally diverse populations.
  
  
• Ability to apply Early Childhood Development theory and development in daily classroom activities, and adapt to the individual needs of children.
  
  
• Ability to set and maintain professional boundaries with families.
  
  
• Must be able to lift weights of varying amounts including infants and toddlers of at least 25 pounds.
  
  
• Ability to adjust to different levels within the classroom, including sitting on floor.
  
  
• Must have keyboarding skills, computer literacy and familiarity with Microsoft, word, e-mail and internet navigation. Must have full range of hand and finger motion for data entry purposes.
  
  
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Bilingual English/Spanish skills helpful.
  
  
• Must be CPR & First Aid for Child Care Centers certified ; Current physical required prior to employment offer.
  
  
• Criminal Background Check for childcare required prior to employment offer.

Darlene Godwin
Program Coordinator for Early Childhood
Liberty Campus, Main Building, Room 253I
410-462-8521 (office)
dgodwin@bccc.edu

The job outlook according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics is faster than average with a 17% increase between 2012 to 2022.  The Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates that “Employment of preschool teachers is projected to grow 17 percent from 2012 to 2022, faster than the average for all occupations. Growth is expected due to a continued focus on the importance of early childhood education and the growing population of children ages 3 to 5.”

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Minimum educational requirement of an Associate Art’s degree in early childhood or a related field that includes 18 credit hours in early childhood education development and possesses the infant and toddler certificate or course.

Prefer one year experience in a child care setting caring for infant and toddlers with ability to adapt curriculum to meet the needs of all children including at risk, special needs, gifted, and culturally diverse populations.

Ability to apply Early Childhood Development theory and development in daily classroom activities, and adapt to the individual needs of children.

Ability to set and maintain professional boundaries with families.

Must be able to lift weights of varying amounts including infants and toddlers of at least 25 pounds.

Ability to adjust to different levels within the classroom, including sitting on floor.

Must have keyboarding skills, computer literacy and familiarity with Microsoft, word, email and internet navigation. Must have full range of hand and finger motion for data entry purposes.

Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Bilingual English/Spanish skills helpful.

Must be CPR & First Aid for Child Care Centers certified ; Current physical required prior to employment offer.

Criminal Background Check for childcare required  prior to employment offer.