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Early Childhood Education

Early Childhood Education

Early Childhood Education - A Choice of two programs:

A.A.S. Degree in Child and Family Studies
For individuals who enjoy seeing children gain new skills, PSC’s Child and Family Studies Program is an excellent option. Program graduates teach and nurture preschoolers in child care centers, preschools, and family child care homes.

Increasing Employment Opportunities
According to the U.S. Department of Labor, employment of preschool and child care workers is projected to increase through the year 2014. Demand is due in large part to families in which both parents work, resulting in a continued increase in public and private spending on childcare.

As an Illinois Gateways to Opportunity entitled institution, completion of course requirements for the A.A.S. degree can lead to an Illinois early Childhood Teacher Credential 2, 3, or 4. Students who pursue an Illinois Infant-Toddler Teacher Credential 1 or an Illinois Director Credential 1 can complete the requirements for those credentials through the Early Childhood Education elective choices. Students should seek more information from the Early Childhood Education/Child and Family Studies Coordinator.

Child Care Teacher Certificate
This program teaches the practical skills necessary to provide direct home care to young children in day care and preschool centers, home day care sites, and community based centers. Students are prepared for employment as teachers and child care assistants and other entry-level positions in the child care field. Because Prairie State is an entitled institution, the courses in the certificate program can be used to meet Illinois Gateway Childhood Teacher credentials.

Degrees and Certificates
View the curriculum for each program in the current Academic Catalog. You can also access the entire catalog online. An archive of previous catalogs and addenda is also available.

Please visit Career Programs and Transfer Degrees, where you will find information describing the requirements needed to complete a degree or certificate.

Courses
A listing of course descriptions is available in the current Academic Catalog. For a listing of when courses are offered, consult the current course schedule or WebAdvisor.

Child Development Preschool Teacher Certificate
This program teaches the practical skills necessary to provide direct care to young children in day care and preschool centers, home day care sites, and community-based centers. Students are prepared for employment as teachers and child care assistants, as well as other entry-level positions in the child care field.

Learning Objectives:
Upon completion of this program, students will be able to demonstrate their knowledge of:

  1. The major domains in child development and theories of typical and atypical growth in all developmental domains, as well as the interaction between individual and contextual factors on development and learning
  2. The role of the environment in supporting children’s development, including nutrition, health, and safety licensing requirements for childcare settings
  3. The importance of relationships in supporting positive developmental and behavioral outcomes, as well as demonstrate a basic understanding of the childcare worker’s obligations for health nutrition and safety of children. 

Child Development Director Certificate
This program prepares students to meet Illinois Department of Children and Family Services requirements to be an Early Childhood Education Center Director. Students must also have completed two years of college credit. Since PSC is an entitle institution, these courses can be used to meet Illinois Gateways Director Credential 1 requirements.

asfLearning Objectives:
Upon completion of this program, students will be able to demonstrate their knowledge of:
1.    The knowledge and skills needed to succeed as an early childhood administrator and identify the characteristics of successful program administration
2.    Illinois state and local regulations for child care centers and Pre-K programs
3.    Practices to engage staff, families, community stakeholders, and professional organizations in support of high quality early childhood services for young children and their families.

Child Development AAS
This degree program is designed for individuals who want to work directly with young children and their families in early care and education programs, human service organizations, or professional development services. The program provides both theoretical knowledge and practical skills.

Learning Objectives:
Upon completion of this program, students will be able to demonstrate their knowledge of:

  1. The theories and principles of child growth and development from prenatal through the adolescent years and the relationship between careful observation, assessment, and effective interaction of children
  2. Ways in which the structure, values, and resources of family and community affect children and practices that foster children’s wellbeing through creating curriculum and environments that support physical and social growth and good communication with parents
  3. Nutrition, health, and safety licensing requirements for childcare settings and demonstrate a basic understanding of the childcare worker’s obligations for health nutrition and safety of children, as well as the legal responsibilities of a director of an early childhood center