Early Childhood Education Programs
The Early Childhood Education program includes all the required training for the Florida Department of Education Early Childhood Professional Certificate. Additionally, students can complete the Child Care Director program which prepares them to manage a child care program. Completion of these programs earn students Florida Department of Children and Families credentials required for licensure. These programs qualify students to work as child care teachers and directors, VPK teachers, Early Learning Coalition positions, Early Childhood Advocates, and Parent Advocates.
Associate in Science Degree
Certificate Programs
MORE INFO: Tara Orlowski, M.Ed., Early Childhood Education Program, Bldg. 5, Room 101A, (850) 973-1789 or orlowskit@nfcc.edu
Associate in Science Degree: Early Childhood Education
63 Credit Hours
The Associate in Science in Early Childhood Education is designed to prepare students for entry into careers in education and childcare. Education paraprofessionals serving as aides and assistants may complete the degree to satisfy requirements associated with the career. This program degree satisfies the Staff Credential and Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten (VPK) Instructor requirements for child care licensure and VPK participation.
General Education Requirements..........................................................19 Credit Hours
Course # |
Title |
Credit Hours |
| ENC 1101 |
Freshman English I |
3
|
| MGF 1106 |
Math for Liberal Arts I |
3
|
| CGS 1100C |
Computer Applications I |
3
|
Choice of One (3 Hours) |
3
|
| DEP 2004 |
Human Development |
|
| PSY 2012 |
General Psychology |
|
| AMH 2091 |
African-American History & Culture |
|
Choice of One (4 Hours) |
4
|
| BSC 1010C |
Principles of Biology I |
|
| BOT 2010C |
General Botany |
|
| ZOO 2010C |
General Zoology |
|
Choice of One (3 Hours) |
|
3
|
| ARH 2000 |
Humanities Art |
|
| HUM 2210 |
General Humanities |
|
| REL 2300 |
Intro to World Religion |
|
| |
|
TOTAL 19 |
Professional Core..................................................................................44 Credit Hours
| EDF 2005 |
Introduction to Education |
3
|
| EDF 2085 |
Teaching Diverse Populations |
3
|
| EME 2040 |
Introduction to Educational Technology |
3
|
| CHD 2220 |
Child Growth and Development |
3
|
| EEC 1310 |
Effective Classroom Management:
Guidance and Discipline |
3
|
| EEC 1407 |
Physical, Social, Emotional Health
for Young Children |
3
|
| EEC 1601 |
Observing and Recording |
3
|
| EEC 2011 |
Early Childhood Educator Professionalism |
2
|
| EEC 2218 |
Language and Literacy for Young Adults |
3
|
| EEC 2226 |
Math, Science, and Technology
for Young Children |
3
|
| EEC 2240 |
Social Studies and Creative Expression
for Young Children |
3
|
| EEC 2521 |
Child Care Management |
3
|
| EEC 2734 |
Health, Safety, and Nutrition |
3
|
| EEX 1010 |
Introduction to Exceptional Education |
3
|
| EDG 1940 |
Field Experience |
3
|
| |
|
TOTAL: 44 |
General Education Requirements 19
Professional Core 44
Total: 63 Credit Hours
NOTE: Students with training and credentials from the Department of Children and Families may be eligible to receive college credit if the trainings and credentials meet the requirement of articulation.
College Credit Certificate
Preschool Specialization Certificate
12 Credit Hours
The following preschool certificate program is part of the Early Childhood Education AS degree program. It is designed to provide the skills for immediate employment or job advancement. Admission requirements are the same as for degree seeking college credit programs.
Program Core Courses:
Course # |
Title |
Credit Hours |
| EEC 2734 |
Health, Safety, and Nutrition |
3
|
| EEC 1601 |
Observing and Recording |
3
|
| EEC 2218 |
Language and Literacy
for Young Children |
3
|
| EEC 2226 |
Math, Science, and Technology
for Young Children |
3
|
| |
|
TOTAL: 12 |
TOTAL: 12 Credit Hours
College Credit Certificate
Child Care Center Management Specialization Certificate
12 Credit Hours
The following child care management certificate program is part of the Early Childhood Education AS degree program. It is designed to provide skills for immediate employment or job advancement. Admission requirements are the same as for degree seeking college credit programs.
Program Core Courses:
Course # |
Title |
Credit Hours |
| EEC 2521 |
Child Care Management |
3
|
| EEC 1310 |
Effective Classroom Management:
Guidance and Discipline |
3
|
| EEX 1010 |
Introduction to Exceptional Education |
3
|
| EEC 2734 |
Health, Safety and Nutrition |
3
|
| |
|
TOTAL: 12 |
TOTAL: 12 Credit Hours
Early Childhood Professional Certificate (ECPC)
600 Clock Hours | 20 Vocational Credit Hours
The Early Childhood Education Program focuses on broad, transferable skills for the Early Childhood industry:
-
Planning, management, finance, and technology skills
-
Understanding of labor, community, health, safety, and environmental issues
-
Developmentally appropriate practices for children (Birth-8 Years)
The Early Childhood Professional Certificate (ECPC) is a 600-hour program with four occupational completion points. Each level consists of classroom instruction and direct work with children. The four levels are:
-
Child Care Worker 1 (150 hours): Students who complete this level 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 Mandated Introductory Child Care Training (Part I and II).
-
Child Care Worker 2 (150 hours)
-
Teacher Aide - Preschool (150 hours)
-
Preschool Teacher (150 hours)
Completion of all of four levels of the ECPC program meets the staff credential requirement for the Florida Department of Children and Families. In Florida, this program is equivalent to the National Child Development Associate (CDA).
Students who have an AA degree are encouraged to complete six (6) college credit hours of Early Childhood Education, rather than complete this program.
Enrollment Requirements:
Students must:
-
Be at least 18 years of age.
-
Provide documentation of a high school diploma or GED
-
Complete the NFCC application and pay non-refundable application fee
-
Complete the Test of Adult Basic Education (TABE) with the first six (6) weeks of admission into the program. It is strongly recommend that the basic skills examination be completed prior to entry into the program.
Program Courses:
Course # |
Title |
Credit Hours |
Clock Hours |
| HEV 0870 |
Child Care Worker 1
(OCP A) |
5 |
150 |
| HEV 0871 |
Child Care Worker 2
(OCP B) |
5 |
150 |
| HEV 0872 |
Teacher Aide - Preschool
(OCP C)
|
5 |
150 |
| HEV 0873 |
Preschool Teacher
(OCP D) |
5 |
150 |
| |
Total: |
20 |
600 |
ECPC Certificate Requirements:
Students must complete the following requirements BEFORE an Early Childhood Professional Certificate (ECPC) will be awarded:
-
Complete the program courses with a grade of "C" or higher.
-
Earn TABE scores of 9.0 in Reading, 9.0 in Math, and 9.0 in Language
-
Pass the required DCF mandated training competency exams with a score of 70 or higher.
-
Complete a DCF approved 5-hour literacy course
-
Provide documentation of current certification for Infant/Child CPR and First Aid
-
Complete 480 hours of direct work with children in an approved child care setting.
-
Documented observation by a qualified observer
-
Completion of the Professional Resource File (Portfolio)
-
NFCC Application for Graduation
Any requirement not finished by the end of the HEV 0873, must be completed within one year from the course finish date.
Child Care Center Director Program
45 Clock Hours | 1.5 Vocational Credit Hours
The Child Care Center Director Program focuses on broad, transferable skills for the program directors/managers in the Early Childhood industry. Topics include:
-
Reflective Management Practices
-
Organizational, Fiscal, Personnel, and Facilities Management
-
Managing Health and Safety Issues as well as Food Service
-
Educational Programming and Family Support
-
Marketing and Public Relations
-
Assessment and Evaluation
-
Leadership and Advocacy
The Child Care Center Director Program is a 45-hour program with one occupational completion point. This class meets the Overview of Child Care Management requirement for the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) Director Credential, which is required for directors of licensed child care facilities in Florida.
Enrollment Requirements:
Program Course:
Course # |
Title |
Credit Hours |
Clock Hours |
| HEV 0160 |
Child Care Program Director
(OCP A) |
1.5 |
45 |
Students who complete this course must also meet all of the Florida Department of Children and Families’ Director Credential requirements in ordered to be certified by the State. The requirements may be found by visiting the DCF Child Care website at www.myflorida.com/childcare and select "Training Information."
Programs of Study
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