Erie Community College, State University of New York

EARLY CHILDHOOD

Program Description

Child care has become a national priority. Along with the sweeping changes in the American family have come demands for quality early childhood education and care, resulting in the need for competent early childhood professionals. The Early Childhood program prepares students to assume responsible early childhood positions. Both degree and non-degree students, full or part-time, are welcome in this curriculum. Those interested may take 12 credit hours in the Early Childhood department to meet N.Y.S. Daycare Regulations.

The Early Childhood program consists of early childhood education courses, liberal arts courses, and practical field experience with infants and young children. Students use their classroom learning in a series of laboratory experiences in a variety of early childhood education centers. The first two Early Childhood lab experiences are generally offered day and evening depending on enrollment. The third lab and student teaching are offered only during the day; students working in the field may apply for a waiver/or L.E.A.P. credit in these courses.

Several education courses are offered during both the day and evening.

Graduates and students are employed in responsible early childhood positions in the community. These include, but are not limited to, positions in day care classrooms, preschool programs, nursery schools, Head Start, before and after-school programs, family day care programs, residential setting programs, special education programs, agencies specializing in the care of infants and young children and positions as Nannys.

Articulation Agreements

Articulation agreements with the Child Care Coalition of Niagara Frontier Inc. CDA, Alden High School and BOCES I facilitate transfer of credit into the Erie Community College Early Childhood department.

Transfer Agreements

The Erie Community College Early Childhood department has transfer agreements with several area colleges. The agreements facilitate the transfer of Erie Community College Early Childhood graduates into certain four-year programs. They include Medaille College, SUNY at Buffalo, and SUC at Buffalo.

Special Admission Requirements/Prerequisites

Early Childhood students must be exempt from, or have satisfactorily completed developmental reading and writing courses before enrolling in education. Students must maintain a grade of "C" in all early childhood courses. (A "C–" or a "D" in an Early Childhood course indicates that the course must be repeated to remain in the Early Childhood curriculum.) As a prerequisite of the Lab experiences, students must be able to satisfy health, etc, requirements of NY State Day Care Licensing regulations as stated in the licensing document. The college reserves the right to deny acceptance into the Early Childhood program when students have incomplete or unacceptable physical report.

Degree: Associate in Applied Science
Hegis: 5503
Curriculum Code: 0606
Total Degree Credits: 61.5
Campus Location: City
Business & Public Service Division