EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION
600 Clock Hours/20 Credit Hours
Nine (9) credit hours can be articulated into the Associate in Applied Science Degree in Early Childhood Education.
The Early Childhood Education Program focuses on broad, transferable skills and stresses understanding and demonstration of the following elements of the Early Childhood industry: planning, management, finance, technical and production skills; underlying principles of technology; labor, community, health, safety, and environmental issues; and developmentally appropriate practices for children birth through age eight. The program consists of 600 hours with four occupational completion points:
Child Care Worker – Occupational Completion Point A
1.5 credits; 45 clock hours
- HEV 0150 Child Care Worker
*Grades/credit will be granted upon successful completion of all course work and passing at 70% or above the following DCF exams: State and Local Rules and Regulations; Health, Safety, and Nutrition; Identifying & Reporting Child Abuse & Neglect; Child Growth and Development; Behavioral Observation & Screening; Early Literacy for Children Age Birth to Three.
Child Care Teacher Aide – Occupational Completion Point B
3.5 credits; 105 clock hours
- HEV 0101 Child Care Teacher Aide
- HEV 0102 Child Care Teacher Aide Application
Preschool Teacher – Occupational Completion Point C
10 credits; 300 clock hours
- HEV 0174 Preschool Teacher 1
- HEV 0173 Preschool Teacher 1 Application
- HEV 0116 Preschool Teacher 2
- HEV 0183 Preschool Teacher 2 Application
- HEV 0195 Preschool Teacher 3
- HEV 0182 Preschool Teacher 3 Application
Child Care Development Specialist – Occupational Completion Point D
5 credits; 150 clock hours
- HEV 0163 Child Care Development Specialist
- HEV 0152 Child Care Development Specialist Application
The Early Childhood Education (ECE) program provides the knowledge and skills necessary for entry level employment through the Early Childhood Professional Certificate (ECPC). Students who complete Occupational Completion Point A (Child Care Worker) of the ECE program and pass the required Department of Children and Families (DCF) exams with a score of 70% or better will have completed the DCF 40-hour Introductory Child Care Training. Students who complete the ECE program and meet all other requirements for the Early Childhood Professional Certificate (ECPC) as outlined in the DOE Student Guidelines can be awarded the ECPC. The Florida Department of Education’s ECPC is a Preschool specialization certificate that will enable students to obtain the DCF Staff Credential.
Instruction and learning activities are provided in a laboratory setting using hands-on experiences with the equipment and materials appropriate to the program content and in accordance with high quality standards in the field. Activities provide instruction in the use of manipulative equipment; language development; creative art, music, science, dramatic play, developmentally appropriate practices, brain research classroom management and established early childhood/child development competencies. Early observation and supervised work experience with young children in a school laboratory or a community laboratory setting are an integral part of this program. To meet ECPC status, a student must also obtain 480 hours of direct work with children five years or younger in a laboratory or child care setting while they are enrolled in the program.
Enrollment Requirements:
Students must:
- Be at least 18 years of age.
- Complete the NFCC application and pay the $20 non-refundable application fee.
- Complete the Test of Adult Basic Education (TABE) within the first six (6) weeks of admission into the program and have achieved the required minimal TABE scores of 9.0 in Reading, 9.0 in Math and 9.0 in Language prior to program completion. It is strongly recommended that the basic skills examination be completed and the minimal scores achieved prior to entry into the program. Students not having achieved the minimal scores will not be awarded a certification of course completion.
- Possess a high school diploma or GED.
- Submit to fingerprinting and a background check ($60 fee.) Call the Career Center for an appointment (850) 973-9493 applicants are expected to have no felony convictions or misdemeanor convictions involving perjury, moral turpitude or domestic violence in or outside the State of Florida. (Prior arrests or convictions may also affect field work placements and future employment opportunities. Arrests or convictions during the ECPC program training may result in dismissal from the program.)
Graduation Requirements:
Students must meet the following requirements BEFORE an Early Childhood Professional Certificate (ECPC) can be awarded:
- Complete the 40-hour DCF Mandated training and pass at 70% or above all competency exams included in OCP A.
- Complete a DCF approved 5-hour literacy course (also included in OCP A)
- Obtain current certification for infant/child CPR and First Aid
- Complete the remainder of the 600 hour program including 480 hours of direct work with children; documented observation by a qualified observer; Professional Resource File; and demonstration of competency in the 8 child care content areas.
- Submit a completed and notarized ECPC application and all documentation to NFCC instructor.
- Submit the NFCC Application for Graduation to the Office of Enrollment Services
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