Early Childhood Education
Early Childhood Education graduates find employment in child development and child care programs, preschools, schools, recreational centers, and school-age programs.
The Early Childhood Education curriculum prepares individuals to work with children from infancy through middle childhood in diverse learning environments. Students will combine learned theories with practice in actual settings with young children under the supervision of qualified teachers. Course work includes child growth and development; physical and nutritional needs of children; care and guidance of children; and communication skills with parents and children. Students will foster the cognitive/language, physical/motor, social/emotional, and creative development of young children. Graduates are prepared to plan and implement developmentally appropriate programs in early childhood settings. Employment opportunities include child development and child care programs, preschools, public and private schools, recreational centers, Head Start Programs, and school-age programs. Program Graduation Requirements: The standards for students are rigorous and require students to perform at a minimum competency level. Due to the minimum competency level expected for graduates, the Education Department requires a grade of “C” or higher on all required Education Courses for graduation with a certificate, diploma, or degree.
Program Information
Program Options
Program Options
- Early Childhood Education, Career Entry AAS
- Early Childhood Education, Birth to Kindergarten (B-K), AAS
- Early Childhood Education, Early Education Non-Licensure Transfer, AAS
- Early Childhood Education, Career Entry Diploma
- Early Childhood Education, Birth to Kindergarten (B-K) Pre-Teaching Certificate
- Early Childhood Education, Birth to Kindergarten (B-K) Pre-Teaching Certificate Pathway
- Infant/Toddler Care Certificate
- Infant/Toddler Care Certificate Pathway
Please see the catalog for more information about the degree option in this curriculum.
Related Programs
Related Programs
Information
Information
Early Childhood Education
A55220C - The Early Childhood Education curriculum prepares individuals to work with children from infancy through middle childhood in diverse learning environments. Students will combine learned theories with practice in actual settings with young children under the supervision of qualified teachers. Course work includes child growth and development; physical and nutritional needs of children; care and guidance of children; and communication skills with parents and children. Students will foster the cognitive/language, physical/motor, social/emotional, and creative development of young children. Graduates are prepared to plan and implement developmentally appropriate programs in early childhood settings.
A55220L -The Associate of Applied Science in Early Childhood Education - Licensure program prepares individuals to work with children from birth through age eight in diverse learning environments. Students will combine learned theories with practice in actual settings with young children under the supervision of qualified teachers. Graduates are prepared to plan and implement developmentally appropriate learning opportunities to young children. in early childhood settings and earn the general education and early childhood foundational classes to transfer to a high institute to pursue B-K teacher licensure.
A55220NL -The Associate of Applied Science in Early Childhood Education - Non-Licensure program prepares individuals to work with children from birth through age eight in diverse learning environments. Students will combine learned theories with practice in actual settings with young children under the supervision of qualified teachers. Graduates are prepared to plan and implement developmentally appropriate programs in early childhood settings and earn the general education and early childhood foundational classes to transfer to a high institute to pursue a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education or Child Development.
Current Students: Please log into your Blackboard site, and visit the Early Childhood Connections page. We regularly post-employment opportunities that are available in our community.
Mission Statement
The Early Childhood Education Department at Catawba Valley Community College believes in the power of teaching, the value of learning, and the importance of quality early care and education. We practice the principles of “Care, Connect, and Challenge” as we transform aspiring Early Childhood educators into quality, effective teachers who enrich our community and empower young children and their families to meet their highest potential and calling.
We believe in connecting with children through understanding child development research and using research findings and best practices to form caring, nurturing relationships. We teach Early Childhood students how to connect with children’s families and the community through thoughtful, challenging assignments, activities, and assessments.
Associate Degree Information
The Education department offers classes for the Associate of Applied Science in Early Childhood Education. Professional career opportunities for the Early and Childhood degree are listed below:
- Preschool
- More-At-Four
- Pre-K Teachers and Assistants
- Owner/Operator
- Director
- Teacher
- Teacher Assistant for Child Development Centers
- Public School Teacher Assistants
- Recreational Program Administrators and Staff
We also offer an Early and Childhood diploma program and certificates in Birth to Kindergarten and School-Age Care. Please see the suggested program sequence.
Program Outcome Data
Outcome Measure 1: The Number of Program Completers
In the chart below, please indicate the number of program completers for the three most recent academic years. (note: the percentages in each row should add up to 100%)
| Academic Year | Number of program completers | Percentage of program completers who were attending full-time (at the time of completion) | Percentage of program completers who were attending part-time (at the time of completion) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018-2019 | 12 | 25% | 75% |
| 2017-2018 | 18 | 11% | 89% |
| 2016-2017 | 17 | 12% | 88% |
Outcome Measure 2: The Program Completion Rate
What is the published timeframe for full-time students to complete the early childhood program(s) included in this Annual Report?
5 Semesters
What is the name of the program?
Early Childhood Education
| Academic year in which a Fall cohort of full-time students enrolled at the institution (select three sequential years) | Percentage of those students who completed the program within 150% of the published timeframe | Percentage of those students who completed the program within 100% of the published timeframe |
|---|---|---|
| 2018-2019 | 100% | 67% |
| 2017-2018 | 100% | 50% |
| 2016-2017 | 100% | 50% |
Outcome Measure 3: Institutional Selected Data
All programs are required to select at least one of the following outcome measures on which to report. (Institutions submitting multiple programs in a single Annual Report may select the same or a different measure for each program and should complete a separate chart for each program.)
The fall-to-fall retention rate in the program for each of the three most recently completed academic years.
| Academic Year | Total Number of Candidates | Number of Part-Time Candidates | Part-Time Candidates Percentage of Total Enrollment) | Retention Rate Number Among Part-Time Candidates | Retention Rate Percentage Among Part-Time Candidates | Number of Full-time Candidates Enrolled | Percentage of Total Enrollment | Retention Rate Number Among Full-Time Candidates | Retention Rate Percentage Among Full-Time Candidates |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 2018 (2017-2018) | 107 | 58 | 54% | 53 | 53% | 49 | 46% | 16 | 33% |
| Fall 2017 (2016-2017) | 97 | 58 | 60% | 38 | 66% | 39 | 40% | 22 | 56% |
| Fall 2016 (2015-2016) | 75 | 51 | 68% | 19 | 37% | 24 | 32% | 16 | 67% |
Career Outlook
Early Childhood Education: Career Outlook
Contact Information
Director
Early Childhood Education
Email:
Alexandra Ingle
Phone: 828-327-7000
x4515
Office Number: CAD 129