Early Childhood Education, Associate in Arts

Effective: Fall, 2016

The Early Childhood Education program of study prepares students to work with young children in a variety of early care and education settings. Graduates will be able to provide high quality educational environments that are inclusive of all children ages birth to 9.  They will gain the necessary knowledge and skills to provide a developmentally appropriate, culturally responsive and inclusive early learning experience.

At the completion of this degree, students are prepared to enter the early care and education workforce.  Opportunities include working in childcare, young school age childcare, nursery schools and as teacher’s aides in public schools.

This program of study also serves as a transfer pathway to earn teacher certification, Pre-kindergarten through 4th grade.  Students wishing to earn teacher certification must transfer to a 4 year institution to earn a Bachelor's degree, Prekindergarten through 4th grade.

All students will be required to have Pennsylvania Child Abuse Clearance, Pennsylvania Criminal Clearance, FBI clearance and documentation of current immunizations and TB screening. The results of the background clearances could have an impact on the student's ability to continue in the degree.  There are additional fees to obtaining clearances and students may have to get their clearances renewed.

The Early Childhood Education program at Delaware County Community College is accredited by the Commission on the Accreditation of Early Childhood Higher Education Programs of the National Association for the Education of Young Children, www.naeyc.org. The accreditation term runs from March, 2017 through March, 2024.