The Early Childhood Education program provides students with knowledge of child development and how to extend a child’s learning. Students plan ways to assist children in meeting outcomes set forth by the Ohio Department of Education Office of Early Learning and School Readiness primarily through play experiences that scaffold children's learning. In doing so, students identify their role as a facilitator, the children's role, and the environment's role. Students gain "hands-on" experiences providing opportunities to apply principles acquired in class through direct experiences working with individuals and small groups of children in infant, toddler, and preschool settings. Students work towards earning the Child Development Associate Credential (CDA), by the completion of their second year. In order for a student to meet the criteria to apply for a CDA, the student must have 80-100 hours of volunteer time, outside of school, working with preschool children in addition to what they earn through course work. These volunteer hours must be approved by the Early Childhood Education Career Tech Instructor.
College Credit:
Earn up to 15 college credits at North Central State College!
Industry Credentials:
Child Development Associate (CDA)