Early Childhood Education—Career Degree (ECC)

In addition to attending to children’s basic needs, early childhood education professionals organize activities that stimulate children’s physical, emotional, intellectual, and social growth. They help children explore interests, develop independence, foster creativity, build self-esteem, and learn how to behave with others. MWCC’s program will prepare you to begin a career working with children ages 0-5. Benefits of MWCC’s program include a great job placement rate (90 percent of students find jobs), the option of both day and evening classes, day classes scheduled conveniently for parents of school-age children, opportunities to gain real world experience; and many excellent, and local practicum sites.

Campus/format: This program can be completed during the day or evening at the Gardner Campus.

State certification: After completing the degree, students can apply for Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) Lead Teacher certification. Lead Teachers must be age 21 or over (those under 21 can receive Teacher certification). EEC certification indicates that students are qualified to work in childcare facilities. The program helps students meet the new Massachusetts state guidelines that require an associate’s degree by 2010.

Helpful hints: To meet Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) requirements, students should attain First Aid certification. Childcare facilities are required to have one CPR certified professional always present, therefore, students who attain certification will be even more marketable.

Transfer options: This concentration is designed for immediate career entry. However, transfer agreements exist with Becker College, Charter Oak State College and the University of Phoenix.

Visit MWCC’s transfer planning services website: http://transfer.mwcc.edu.

3 Plus ONE eligible–go to: www.mwcc.edu/3PlusONE

Special requirements: Technical standards must be met with or without accommodations.

Career options: Graduates can work with children ages 0-5 in Head Start, preschool, daycare programs, or as classroom aides. They can also work toward becoming a center director or administrator.

Earning potential: $24,157 to $32,995 per year, according to a graduate survey.

Elective courses by abbreviation

Program Competencies

Upon graduation from these programs, students shall have demonstrated the ability to:

1. Create an environment that is healthy, respectful, supportive, and challenging for each child.
2. Design, implement, and evaluate experiences that promote positive development and learning for every young child.
3. Demonstrate an understanding of the importance of developmental domains and content in early childhood curriculum.
4. Demonstrate experience in using developmentally effective approaches based on children’s ages, characteristics, and culture.
5. Explain and analyze the importance of creating respectful, reciprocal relationships that support and involve families in their children’s development and learning.
6. Demonstrate skill and knowledge in child observation, documentation, and effective assessment strategies that positively influence the development of children.
7. Conduct themselves as members of the early childhood profession, upholding ethical guidelines and professional standards related to early childhood practice.
8. Show ability to be a reflective learner who integrates knowledge from a variety of sources.
9. Engage in informed advocacy for children and the early childhood profession.

Technical Standards*

*general information about technical standards and accommodation.

Students entering these programs must be able to demonstrate the ability to:

1. Comprehend textbook material at the 11th grade level.
2. Communicate and assimilate information either in spoken, printed, signed, or computer voice format.
3. Gather, analyze, and draw conclusions from data.
4. Work as part of a team, as in team teaching or parent meetings.
5. Function as a team leader, including planning curriculums and daily schedules.
6. Maintain cleanliness and personal grooming consistent with close personal contact.
7. Remain calm, rational, decisive, and in control at all times, especially during emergency situations.
8. Identify behaviors that would endanger a person’s safety, and intervene quickly in a crisis situation with an appropriate solution.
9. Exhibit social skills appropriate to professional interactions.
10. Function without causing harm to self or others if under the influence of prescription or over-the-counter medications.
11. Respond to distress sounds or visual distress cues of children and emergency alarms.