Program Overview
The education option in the Early Childhood Education associate degree program is designed to provide individuals with the theoretical background and practical skills necessary to assume various roles and responsibilities in the child care profession. The student, depending on individual interests and career objectives, may pursue a wide variety of options including child care, teaching, program administration, nanny training, family day care home management, Child Development Associate (CDA) training, infant/toddler care, school-aged care, and assistant in a child care or public/private school setting. Students must be at least 19 years of age upon completion of the program to be qualified as a child care worker and 21 years of age to be a child care center director, according to Department of Children and Family Services regulations. (See other program requirements on this page.) KCC also offers a Paraprofessional Educator/Teacher's Aide program. Students should see the Early Childhood Education program coordinator to determine which program best suits their needs. This degree typically is not designed for transfer.
Child Development Program Requirements
Basic laboratory experience is required in many child development courses within the program. Specific tasks performed in the lab setting will vary according to skills, interests, and course requirements. Prior to initiating lab assignments and projects, Early Childhood Education students must meet the requirements for staff in child care facilities as outlined by the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services Child Care Facility Regulations: (1) must have a high school diploma or its equivalent; (2) must be able to pass a DCFS criminal background check; (3) must have a completed health form; and (4) must have a signed mandated reporter form on file. It is the student’s responsibility to make sure all program requirements are current and on file with the program coordinator.
Program Requirements
Major Courses
| ECED1513 | Child Growth & Development | 3 Credits |
| ECED2013 | History & Philosophy of Early Child Ed | 3 Credits |
| ECED2163 | Discipline/Classroom Management | 3 Credits |
| ECED2223 | Art/Music Activities | 3 Credits |
| ECED2233 | Language Acquisition & Development | 3 Credits |
| ECED2243 | Science/Math Activities | 3 Credits |
| ECED2253 | Motor Development/Physical Activities | 3 Credits |
| ECED2403 | Clinical Experience | 3 Credits |
| ECED2513 | Child, Family & Community Relations | 3 Credits |
| ECED2523 | Intro to Early Childhood Education | 3 Credits |
| ECED2533 | Early Childhood Curriculum Development | 3 Credits |
| ECED2543 | Child Study & Observation | 3 Credits |
| ECED2633 | Health, Nutrition & Safety | 3 Credits |
| | |
| COMP1521 | Computer Literacy | 1 Credit |
| or | |
| COSC1152 | Introduction to Windows | 2 Credits |
Choose two
| ECED2103 | School Aged Programming | 3 Credits |
| ECED2153 | Infant/Toddler Care | 3 Credits |
| ECED2263 | Heads Up Reading | 3 Credits |
| ECED2363 | Administration in Child Care Settings | 3 Credits |
| EDUC1833 | The Exceptional Learner/Child | 3 Credits |
| Credit Hours: | 46-47 |
General education
| COMM1553 | Introductory Speech | 3 Credits |
| PSYC1813 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 Credits |
| Psychology Course | 3 Credits |
Choose two
Elective
| Elective | 3 Credits |
| Credit Hours: | 3 |
Minimum Credit Hours: 64
Suggested Course Sequence
Fall semester
| ECED1513 | Child Growth & Development | 3 Credits |
| ECED2533 | Early Childhood Curriculum Development | 3 Credits |
| ECED2163 | Discipline/Classroom Management | 3 Credits |
| | |
| COMP1521 | Computer Literacy | 1 Credit |
| or | |
| COSC1152 | Introduction to Windows | 2 Credits |
| | |
| ENGL1613 | English I | 3 Credits |
| PSYC1813 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 Credits |
Spring semester
| ECED2513 | Child, Family & Community Relations | 3 Credits |
| ECED2523 | Intro to Early Childhood Education | 3 Credits |
| ENGL1623 | English II | 3 Credits |
| COMM1553 | Introductory Speech | 3 Credits |
| Psychology Course | 3 Credits |
Fall semester
| ECED2013 | History & Philosophy of Early Child Ed | 3 Credits |
| ECED2633 | Health, Nutrition & Safety | 3 Credits |
| ECED2223 | Art/Music Activities | 3 Credits |
| ECED2233 | Language Acquisition & Development | 3 Credits |
| ECED2253 | Motor Development/Physical Activities | 3 Credits |
Spring semester
| ECED2543 | Child Study & Observation | 3 Credits |
| ECED2243 | Science/Math Activities | 3 Credits |
| Electives | 6 Credits |
| Humanities, Social and Behavioral Science, Science, or Mathematics Course | 3 Credits |
Summer term
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