Early Childhood Education
 

Early Childhood Education imageHelp a Child Change the World

The early years of a child’s life are the most vital in their development. You can be the person who helps uncover a true passion, whether it be for art, history or science. With your degree in Early Childhood Education your days will be filled with laughter and fun as you help lead children down their paths to success.

Early childhood education, like all education, demands well-prepared teachers. A growing body of research supports the value of high-quality early childhood programs for children’s later success in school and in life, and the most important part of that is the teacher.

You may choose this career area if you are interested in helping to nurture and teach preschool children (five years old or younger). Employees in this field promote social, physical, and intellectual growth in preschools, day care centers, or other child development facilities. They help children explore their interests, develop their talents and independence, build self-esteem, and learn how to behave with others. If you’re enthusiastic, mature and responsible, and if you have creativity and imagination combined with lots of patience and understanding, you could be an outstanding early childhood educator.

Want to find out if this career is for you? Click here for more details http://www.acinet.org/.

Program Description
The Early Childhood Education Program is the foundation for a challenging and rewarding career in early childhood care and education, as well as other related fields. PPCC offers a two-year Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree, certificates for Director, Group Leader, Infant & Toddler, and classes for ongoing professional development. When you complete the Early Childhood Education Program, you will be able to meet the educational qualifications for Group Leader and Director, as defined by the Colorado Department of Human Services Office of Child Care.
Career Path Notes
If your goals include a Bachelor’s degree, you should enroll in the Early Childhood (Teacher) Education Associate of Arts degree, then continue on to a four-year college or university to complete your Bachelor’s degree.
Program Information
Click here for program specific information. 
For More Information
Call the Division of Business, Social and Behavioral Sciences at 719-502-3300.
Employment Opportunities
Nationwide, there is an increasing demand for qualified Early Childhood Education professionals. Early Childhood Education is rated as one of the top ten fields of employment for the future. Career opportunities include Early Childhood Educator, Preschool Teacher, Group Leader, Day-Care Operator, Child-Care Worker, Teacher’s Aide, Child Care Center Director, and Family Child Care Provider.
Earnings Outlook
In Colorado, the median hourly salary in 2005 for Preschool Teachers was $11.01 with a salary range of $7.73 – $16.20. From 2004 to 2014, there are expected to be an average of 290 job openings per year statewide. Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Financial Aid
www.ppcc.edu/FinancialAid
Advising
www.ppcc.edu/Advising
Apply
www.ppcc.edu/Apply
 

Associate of Applied Science Degree

1st Semester - Fall
ECE 101 Intro to Early Childhood Education
ECE 102 Intro to Early Childhood Lab Techniques
ECE 103 Guidance Strategies for Children
ECE 111 Infant and Toddler Theory
ECE 112 Intro to Infant/Toddler Lab Techniques
Semester 1 Credit Hours 15
 
2nd Semester - Spring

CIS 118 Intro to PC Applications
 or
CSC 105 Computer Literacy
ECE 191 School Age Theory and Practice
ECE 192 School Age Lab Techniques
ECE 205 Nutrition, Health and Safety
ECE 220 Curriculum Devel: Methods & Techniques
Semester 2 Credit Hours 15
 
3rd Semester - Summer

ECE 113 Infant/Toddler Lab Techniques
ENG 121 English Composition I
PSY 101 General Psychology
 or
PSY 112 Psychology of Adjustment
Semester 3 Credit Hours 9

4th Semester - Fall
ECE 226 Creativity and the Young Child
ECE 238 Child Growth and Development
ECE 240 Administration of Early Childhood Care/Ed Progs
ECE 260 Exceptional Child
ECE 261 Exceptional Child Lab Techniques
Semester 4 Credit Hours 16
 
5th Semester - Spring

ECE 241 Administration: Human Relations
ECE 289 Capstone: Early Childhood Education
MAT 112 Financial Mathematics
SOC 101 Intro to Sociology
 or
SOC 205 Sociology of Family Dynamics
Semester 5 Credit Hours 14
 
Total Credit Hours 69

Certificates
Director
Group Leader
Infant Toddler