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Why Early Child Educator

The Early Childhood Educator Certificate is designed to prepare individuals to be teachers in a child care center and/or preschool setting. Upon completion of a Gateways Level 2 credential, this certificate will be equal to a Gateways Level 3 credential.

The certificate will provide 9 additional hours of credit toward an A.A.S. degree in Child Development or an A.A. transfer degree in Early Childhood Education. (Early Childhood Education Certificate must follow completion of “Assistant Teacher Certificate”.)

Discover careers and salaries for this program

Learn more about Early Childhood Education student support and the ECACE Scholarship

Locations
East Campus
Quad-Cities Campus
Formats
On-campus
Online
Number of Credits
30
Next Start Date
Any Time

Learning Objectives

 Students who complete this program will be able to:

  • Analyze and apply the results of a standardized social-emotional-behavioral assessment to the classroom environments in ways that support heathy child development.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the legal, ethical and contextual factors that early childhood educators should apply to their assessment practice.
  • Develop, implement, and evaluate a preschool lesson plan that incorporates evidence-based practices in content and delivery methods.
  • Apply the results of standardized early childhood assessment to understanding the developmental strengths and challenges of individual children.
  • Understand the role of early childhood educators in helping families access resources in the community.
  • Demonstrate knowledge and application of professionalism of early childhood education as indicated by image, behavior and dispositions expected of Early Childhood Educators.

Students must successfully document and meet all health and background checks required by academic programs and/or courses.

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Contact Early Childhood Education

Health and Human Services Department

Quad-Cities Campus
Academic Services Center
Health Sciences Center, Room 313

309-796-5379