Early Childhood and Education Programs

Mission Statement

The Craven Community College Early Childhood and Education Programs, united with college support services, other disciplines, and local, state, and national agencies/organizations will:

• Respond positively to the Early Childhood and Educational communities by supporting efforts to provide appropriate services and improve quality.
• Provide courses, course content and course schedules that meet the needs of our educationally, culturally and economically diverse population.
• Provide quality education, training and retraining for our students.
• Supply the workforce with effective early childhood and educational professionals.

Vision Statement

The vision of the Early Childhood and Education Programs, united with college support services, other disciplines, and  local, state, and national agencies/organizations, will be to ignite the potential that is present in all Early Childhood and Education students through excellent instruction, concrete learning activities and quality field experiences, thereby empowering these individuals to positively impact the lives of children and families, educational environments, and the greater community by:

• Valuing the uniqueness of every child.
• Using tools and resources to establish and maintain appropriate learning environments that guide and support the development of all children.
• Honoring the histories, cultures, and collaborative relationships of children's first teachers: their families.
• Using their knowledge of ethical and professional standards and organizations to guide their behavior and support their roles as continuous, collaborative learners.

National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) Standards for Associate Degree Programs

Degree Requirements

Diploma Requirements

Certificate Requirements

Frequently Asked Questions

Career Description

• The Early Childhood Associate Curriculum prepares individuals to work with children from infancy through middle childhood in diverse learning environments. Students will combine learned theories with practice in actual settings with young children under the supervision of qualified teachers.
• Coursework includes child growth and development; physical/nutritional needs of children; care and guidance of children; and communication skills with parents and children. Students will foster the cognitive/language, physical/motor, and social/emotional and creative development of young children.
• Graduates are prepared to plan and implement developmentally appropriate programs in early childhood settings.

Careers Available

Employment opportunities include child development and home and center-based child care programs, preschools, public and private schools, recreational centers, Head Start programs and school-age programs.

Salary Range

$16,000-$30,000 per year

General Information for the Early Childhood Program of Study

The AAS (Associate in Applied Science Degree) is a 76-credit hour degree. There is a basic "core" of 32 credit-hours that is required for all programs of study. In addition to the early childhood core classes, the degree includes 15 hours of General Education/Major Coursework (English, Math, Psychology, Computers, and Success and Study Skills), and six hours of Electives. The remaining credit hours are local requirements.

Important Personal Attributes

Successful individuals in this field have a strong desire to work with children and show patience, understanding and respect in their dealings with others, especially in the area of child-centered application and practice. Strengths should also include organizational skills, an ability to work as a member of a team, effective communication skills, a strong sense of responsibility and an ability to manage time effectively.

Questions?

For more information, contact Terry Frost at (252) 638-7239 or frostt@cravencc.edu.

Additional Information

This link provides information on local, state, and national organizations and agencies that employ our graduates and/or provide assistance and support to our students and/or the Craven Community College Early Childhood and Education Programs.

Upon completion of all coursework in the Early Childhood and Education Program the students will be able to:

• Demonstrate knowledge of child development, education, and developmental theory.
• Use assessment methods that support the development of children and increase the knowledge of families.
• Plan and implement developmentally appropriate experiences that stimulate the domains of development and learning for all children.
• Establish and maintain safe and healthy learning environments.
• Provide optional learning environments which will support the diverse needs of all children.
• Develop positive relationships with children and utilize positive child guidance techniques to support children's learning and social and emotional development.
• Establish respectful and collaborative relationships with all families.
• Identify and utilize resources and tools that support children, families, and early childhood professionals.
• Demonstrate professionalism and ethical conduct.
• Perform program/degree-specific responsibilities.

The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) Standards for Associate Degree Programs

Standard I, Promoting Child Development and Learning

Students prepared in associate degree programs use their understanding of young children's characteristics and needs, and of multiple interacting influences of children's development and learning, to create environments that are healthy, respectful, supportive, and challenging for all children.

• Key Element 1a: Knowing and understanding young children's characteristics and needs.
• Key Element 1b: Knowing and understanding the multiple influences on development and learning.
• Key Element 1c: Using developmental knowledge to create healthy, respectful, supportive, and challenging learning environments.

Standard II, Building Family and Community Relationships

Students prepared in associate degree programs know about, understand, and value the importance and complex characteristics of children's families and communities. They use this understanding to create respectful, reciprocal relationships that support and empower families and to involve all families in their children's development and learning.

• Key Element 2a: Knowing about and understanding family and community characteristics.
• Key Element 2b: Supporting and empowering families and communities through respectful, reciprocal relationships.
• Key Element 2c: Involving families and communities in their children's development and learning.

Standard III, Observing, Documenting, and Assessing to Support Young Children and Families

Students prepared in associate degree programs know about and understand the goals, benefits, and uses of assessment, They know about and use systematic observations, documentation, and other effective assessment strategies in a responsible way, in partnership with families and other professionals, to positively influence children's development and learning.

• Key Element 3a: Understanding the goals, benefits, and uses of assessment
• Key Element 3b: Knowing about and using observation, documentation, and other appropriate assessment tools and approaches.
• Key Element 3c: Understanding and practicing responsible assessment.
• Key Element 3d: Knowing about assessment partnerships with families and other professionals.

Standard IV, Teaching and Learning

Students prepared in associate degree programs integrate their understanding of and relationships with children and families; their understanding of developmentally effective approaches to teaching and learning; and their knowledge of academic disciplines to design, implement, and evaluate experiences that promote positive development and learning for all young children.

• Sub-Standard 4a, Connecting with Children and Families: Students know, understand, and use positive relationships and supportive interactions as the foundation for their work with young children.
• Key Element 4a: Knowing, understanding, and using positive relationships and supportive interactions.
• Sub-Standard 4b, Using Developmentally Effective Approaches: Students know, understand, and use a wide array of effective approaches, strategies, and tools to positively influence children's development and learning.
• Key Element 4b: Knowing, understanding, and using effective approaches, strategies, and tools for early education.
• Sub-Standard 4c, Understanding Content Knowledge in Early Education: Students understand the importance of each of content area in young children's learning. They know the essential concepts, inquiry tools, and structure of content areas, including academic subjects, and can identify resources to deepen their understanding.
• Key Element 4c: Knowing and understanding the importance, central concepts, inquiry tools, and structures of content areas or academic disciplines.
• Sub-Standard 4d: Building Meaning Curriculum: Students use their own knowledge and other resources to design, implement, and evaluate meaningful, challenging curriculum that promotes comprehensive developmental and learning outcomes for all young children.
• Key Element 4d: Using own knowledge and other resources to design, implement, and evaluate meaningful, challenging curriculum to promote positive outcomes.

Standard V, Becoming a Professional

Students prepared in associate degree programs identify and conduct themselves as members of the early childhood profession. They know and use ethical guidelines and other professional standards related to early childhood practice. They are continuous, collaborative learners who demonstrate knowledgeable, reflective, and critical perspectives on their work, making informed decisions that integrate knowledge from a variety of sources. They are informed advocates for sound educational practices and policies.

• Key Element 5a: Identifying and involving oneself with the early childhood field.
• Key Element 5b: Knowing about and upholding ethical standards and other professional guidelines.
• Key Element 5c: Engaging in continuous, collaborative learning to inform practice.
• Key Element 5d: Integrating knowledgeable, reflective, and critical perspectives on early education.
• Key Element 5e: Engaging in informed advocacy for children and the profession.

NAEYC Supportive Skills

• Supportive Skills 1, Skills in Self-Assessment and Self-Advocacy
• Supportive Skill 2, Skills Mastering and Applying Foundational Concepts from General Education.
• Supportive Skill 3, Skills in Written and Verbal Communication
• Supportive Skill 4, Skills in Making Connections Between Prior Knowledge/Experience and New Learning
• Supportive Skill 5, Skills in Identifying and Using Professional Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How do I know when to meet with my advisor and register?

A. The following are some of the sources of advising/registration information:

• Craven Community College Catalog
• Craven Community College Student Handbook
• Craven Community College Web site (www.cravencc.edu)
• Student Services
• Registrar's Office
• Announcements in Class
• Newspapers
• College Schedules/Flyers

Q. Where can I learn more about financial assistance?

A. The Financial Aid Office (located in Student Services) has information about national and state financial assistance, scholarships, grants, and work-study positions.

Program-specific scholarships and/or resources may also be available (depending on funding, availability, and other criteria) to individuals already employed in the fields of Early Childhood and/or education. Information about these potential scholarships/funding sources is available at the Craven County Smart Start Office, N.C. Day Care Services, and the N.C. Public Schools. Contact Information is provided on the Early Childhood and Education Web page, in the link, Helpful Information.

Students who become aware of other sources of support are encouraged to contact the program director.

Q. How do I know what class(es) to take?

A. The Early Childhood Associate Advisee Sheet provide a suggested program of study for each degree/concentration. For information about the Early Childhood Diploma and Certificate Options, please refer to the Diploma and Certificate Advisee Sheets.

These Advising Check-Sheets also include information on the recommended sequence of classes, prerequisites, credit hours, electives, diploma and certificate options, and other information about the program of study. It is highly recommended that students follow the program of study for their specific degree/concentration.

To gain the maximum benefit from the advising process, it is also recommended that students make appointments, meet with their assigned advisor prior to the registration period, keep up-to-date records, and arrive for their advising appointment prepared with their up-to-date Advising Check-Sheet, test scores, transcripts, a tentative schedule, etc.

Class offerings are available to the public prior to the Advising/Registration Period on the Craven Community College Web-Page, in the Craven Community College Schedules/Flyers, and in the Early Childhood Flyers. Early Childhood Information Meetings are also held each semester prior to the Advising/Early Registration Period and include updates from the Early Childhood and Education Programs and information from college representatives, local employers, and state and local agencies.

Q. Can I teach in the N.C. Public Schools with this degree?

A. Individuals teaching in the N.C. Public Schools are required to meet N.C. Department of Public Instruction licensing requirements which include, at the minimum, a bachelor's degree and state certification for the area/grade in which they plan to teach. Graduates from the Craven Community College Early Childhood and Education Programs will earn an associate in applied science degree and therefore would need to continue their educations at the baccalaureate level (or beyond) if they plan to teach in the N.C. Public Schools.

Although a limited number of articulation agreements have been developed between the N.C. Community College System and the University of North Carolina System for Early Childhood graduates who wish to transfer, these articulation agreements are designed to provide support to students who decide to transfer to a baccalaureate program after completion of an associate in applied science degree. It is therefore generally more efficient for students who plan (at the time of enrollment) to complete a bachelors degree in a field of education, to enroll in a Craven Community College Pre-Major (College Transfer) Program.