Early Care and Education (ECED), A.A.S.

Early Care and Education Program Requirements

All students enrolling in Early Care and Education programs must meet the following requirements:

• Furnish a copy of High School Diploma or GED Certificate.
• Furnish information and fees (approximately $110) for background checks and toxicology screenings administered through facilities specified by the College.
• Social Security Report (address locator)
• Criminal background check for places of residence for prior seven (7) years
• Check of the Sexual/Violent Offender Registry
• Check of any other registry or records required by law, accrediting agency or specific facility.
  
  Note: Any discrepancy on a criminal background check or toxicology screening may disqualify a student from the program.
   
• Furnish a copy of a current physical exam on the Early Care and Education Department form.
• Purchase and maintain professional liability insurance with the College (approximately $5 annually).
• Purchase and maintain the school-provided uniform as required by program.
• Provide or arrange own transportation to laboratory sites.
• Furnish equipment as required for specific courses.
• Maintain a minimum 2.0 GPA
• Earn a minimum of “C” in early childhood courses. All Early Childhood courses require a minimum grade of “C” in order to earn credit towards graduation.

Core Performance Standards to Ensure Attainment of Competencies in Early Care and Education Programs

With reasonable accommodations, the student should be able to demonstrate the following abilities:

• Critical thinking ability sufficient for laboratory judgment (e.g., identifies cause-effect relationships in laboratory situations, assesses interactivity on the playground and classroom, etc.)
• Interpersonal abilities sufficient to interact with individuals, families, and groups from a variety of social, emotional, cultural, and intellectual backgrounds (e.g., establishes rapport with families/children and colleagues.)
• Communication abilities sufficient for interaction with others in verbal and written form.
• Physical abilities sufficient to move from room to room and maneuver in small spaces (e.g., moves around in rooms, work spaces, and play areas; administers cardiopulmonary resuscitation procedures; position themselves in the laboratory environment so as to render vital care to children without obstructing the positioning of necessary equipment or other child care workers, etc.)
• Gross and fine motor abilities sufficient to provide safe and effective child care (e.g., uses equipment, etc.)
• Auditory ability sufficient to monitor and assess child care needs (e.g., hears monitor alarm, emergency signals and a range of sounds necessary to assess child status, cries for help.)
• Visual ability sufficient for observation and assessment necessary in child care (e.g., observes child physical condition, etc.)
• Tactile ability sufficient for physical assessment (e.g., performs functions of physical examination and/or those related to therapeutic interventions, i.e., assessing a child’s health status.)
• Sufficient stamina to participate in activities requiring large muscle skills including being able to move quickly, (e.g., lift children, equipment, and supplies up to 50 pounds.)
• Emotional stability and psychological health in the interaction with children, families, colleagues, and College personnel.

NOTE: Examples are not all inclusive.

Laboratory classes have prerequisite paperwork, and students enrolled in other programs must contact an Early Care and Education faculty member prior to enrolling in a course with an ECD or EDU prefix. Students are not reimbursed for laboratory expenses while completing the laboratory component of a program.

The Early Care and Education Associate Degree in Applied Science program is designed to prepare individuals for employment in a variety of educational and child care programs for children from birth through school age. Recent research and interest in the importance of education of children during the first three years of life has provided for a growing number of new opportunities in the field. Graduates are prepared to assume positions in programs such as Head Start, Early Head Start, public schools, childcare, after-school care, public or private preschools or kindergartens, or working with children with special needs.

Courses in the program are available in a variety of formats.

Students entering this program of study must furnish a copy of High School Diploma or GED Certificate.

The Associate Degree in Applied Science with a major in Early Care and Education does not lead to teacher licensure, but opportunities for transfer to senior colleges and universities are available. The T.E.A.C.H. South Carolina Scholarship program may be available for persons already employed in child care.

The Associate Degree in Applied Science with a Major in Early Care and Education is accredited by The National Association for the Education of Young Children.

Developmental Courses

This program of study requires that all developmental courses be completed prior to graduation. These developmental courses may or may not be prerequisites to courses required in the program. Developmental courses are determined by placement tests taken at the time of admission into the College. The developmental courses are MAT 013  and RWR 032 . These courses do not count for credit in any program of study.