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Early Care and Education

Students successfully completing the Associate Degree, Diploma, or Certificate programs have a wide variety of career options as childcare professionals. Early childhood professionals are concerned with the educational, emotional and physical development of young children, and work closely to build relationships with the children, their families and communities. They are concerned with the learning environment including teaching using developmentally effective approaches, connecting with children and families, assessing to support young children, and continuously working to be well-prepared early childhood professionals.

 

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
Graduates may find employment in child care settings, centers, preschools, Headstart programs, public schools, private kindergartens, working as a nanny, serving as a public school teacher’s assistant, or by opening a private or family child care center.

 

Potential positions may be as a teacher assistant, lead teacher, assistant director, director or owner/operator in a child care setting. Graduates may also find employment in various agencies or entities that serve children.

 

Earnings of childcare workers vary based on the educational level of the employee and the type of establishment in which the employee works. In 2009, the average annaul income in South Carolina for child care workers was $17,960.*

 

*Source: US Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics.

 

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
The Early Care and Education Associate degree, diploma and certificate programs offer a practical and theoretical approach to the study of childcare and the education of young children.  The program is designed to help students currently experienced advance to management positions or student with the desire to work in the field.  It thoroughly prepares students in developmentaly appropriate practive and learning enviroments, teaching strategies, growth and development, guidance practices, the needs of young children with an emphasis on the exceptional child and utilization of community and family relationships.  Many of the courses include a weekly hands-on lab so that students can apply their knowledge to the day care setting.  This degree is not transferable to a four-year education program.  The Early Childhood Assoicate Degree Program at TCL is accredited by the National Associaton for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).

 

The program prepares the student to provide quality care for young children and is designed for:

     

     

     

    • Full-time students preparing for a career in early childhood development

     

     

     

     

     

    • Currently employed individuals pursuing a career change

     

     

     

     

     

    • Childcare teachers and administrators who want to upgrade their skill

     

     

     

     

     

    • Parents who want to learn more about the growth and development of young children

     

     

     

    The program provides a variety of learning experiences including theoretical and hands-on lab experiences. The Early Care and Education NAEYC accredited Associate degree does not lead to teacher certification.

    Note: For list of required courses, please see Course Catalog

     

    SPECIALIZED PROGRAM ACCREDITATION

    Early Childhood Associate Degree Program accredited by the

    National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)

    1313 L Street NW, Suite 500

    Washington, DC  20005-4101

    202.232.8777

    800.424.2460

     

    FACULTY

    Stacy Atkinson

    Early Care & Education Instructor/Coordinator

    satkinson@tcl.edu

    843.525.8329

     

    Wesla Fletcher

    Division Dean

    wfletcher@tcl.edu

    843.525.8343